Eating the Plates: A Pilgrim Book of Food and Manners

Lucille Recht Penner

Sep 2008 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

Penner's Pilgrims are heroes, and deservedly so. She takes the story of their crossing on the Mayflower and establishment of Plymouth Colony, and fleshes it out with all the distasteful, even disgusting, details of their struggle for survival. Everything that made life difficult in the 1600s is mentioned--the acceptance of insect infestation in one's hair, clothing, bed, and food; the lack of efficient implements for home construction; the danger of crossing the Atlantic on an open vessel; and the deadly aftermath of disease. The author makes it clear that without the Indians' help, these settlers would not have made it through their first year, dependent as they were on European agricultural methods not suited to the New World.

While Penner gives a complete picture of the Pilgrims' daily life, her prime focus is on food--what the people ate; how they raised, prepared, served, and preserved it. Her writing style has a light touch that makes this interesting reading, often with a wry slant. The book concludes with a ``Pilgrim Menu'' for readers to prepare with adult supervision. The illustrations include pen-and-ink drawings and lithographs that show period artifacts and various food items.

Ratings and reviews

This book reminds me of a stinking attitude of daughter-in-law that doesn't like her husband's old Grandpa/Grandma to eat in their table how sad was the Grandparents when these were being happen to them thinking their Grandchildren weren't been taughten by their parents the right respect for elders...

About the author

Lucille Recht Penner was born in New York City and is an alumna of Barnard College. She has written 35 books for children on subjects ranging from dinosaurs to Native American food.