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In Celebration of the Semiquincentennial in 2025 – the 250th Anniversary of our country’s founding.

Award-Winning Children’s Author Pens Delightful New Chapter Book in Honor of the Mayflower’s 400th Anniversary (1620-2020)

 

‘The Mayflower Mouse’ by Marian Hannah Carlson is a fresh and engaging retelling of the Mayflower’s voyage and the establishment of America’s Hometown. Winner of the Editor’s Choice Award. Enchanting and educational, the story recounts the Pilgrims’ long journey from England to the New World and the establishment of the Plimoth (Plymouth) colony. The story is primarily told through the diary entries of Uncle Sam, an inquisitive stowaway mouse who charts the progress of the voyage and the new colony based on his own observations and sneak peeks taken at the journal entries of William Bradford. From searching for a place to settle and signing the Mayflower Compact to demonstrating how the Wampanoag native people aided their survival and helped celebrate the first Thanksgiving, the book chronicles the triumphs and tribulations faced by the Pilgrims as they bravely sought a new life. This exciting story evokes an appreciation of unity in communities and the importance of working together for the common good.

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Reviews

“There is no doubt that Mrs. Carlson’s delightful style and chapter approach will give the young readers wonderful dreams and images to carry with them through life. She captures the combination of anxiety, surprise, friendship, cooperation, and joy, all wrapped up in the persona of a stowaway mouse. And as she suggests to the reader at the end, the stage is set for them to follow suit with their own story that might encompass those same feelings. Beautifully done….the entire piece invites the reader into an enchanting view of history. Any parent, big sibling, or friend would enjoy reading it to a child. And I do hope that Mrs. Carlson has other moments from history waiting to be penned. We all could benefit from her approach.”
-Don Stewart, Educator

“An imaginative tale of the Pilgrim’s arrival in Plymouth, told with historical references from William Bradford’s journal and from the perspective of a mouse! Shows how the Pilgrims cooperated for the common good and how the Indigenous people aided their survival. Great for homeschoolers, parents and teachers who are teaching early American history to elementary age children. Beautiful illustrations range from historical art to a child’s charming renditions.”
-Julie, parent and art historian

5.0 out of 5 stars A boatload of wonderful history packed into one little book
Carlson has packed this book with fabulous history, great details and original source material. It delights and informs readers of all ages. The illustrations, both historic and contemporary, round out the tale told by one observant and brave little mouse!
-Barbara, Mayflower descendent

I love the premise of this book. Having the Pilgrims’ voyage told through the perspective of a mouse works well and will be more intriguing for young readers than a simple retelling from the Pilgrims’ perspective. The voice also works well for reading aloud, which is important for children’s/juvenile literature. My mother was a school librarian, and I can so easily hear her reading this book aloud to older classes.
-Courtney, business

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing look at the actual history of the Pilgrims.
This is a great book teaching all of us the actual history of the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. It is written with historical references and is captivating reading, especially for the kids that its for. I liked the illustrations too! Great read!
– Warren, parent

5.0 out of 5 stars This a must-read for children
Not only is the book written from a charming point of view, that of the Mayflower Mouse, it is historically accurate. This makes it an engaging history lesson for children who live in the United States. Actually, all ages can enjoy reliving the Pilgrims’ journey as they struggled to find a home for freedom. Enjoy the illustrations as well as this story retold memorably. God Bless America!
– R. B. Stevens, grandparent

 5.0 out of 5 stars Ingeniously told!
400 years ago, who among the Pilgrims could possibly imagine that on the 400th anniversary of their landing there would be a most marvelous, engaging, historical book about their brave voyage and ingeniously told by Marian Carlson through her endearing Mayflower Mouse? It is the most perfect book for not only telling the story in a most engaging way but also accurately. It is a keeper!
-Jan, parent/teacher

5.0 out of 5 stars Real history with a charming twist for kids
This is a lovely book that tells the story of the bravery of the founders of the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The story is told from a novel viewpoint, that of the Mayflower Mouse who went along for the ride from Europe to the New World. Was he searching for freedom, too? Kids will want to know! Very nice original illustrations included.
-Francis, educator

5.0 out of 5 stars Mayflower Mouse – a delight to read
This adventure story is told through the voice of an affable mouse who snuck on board the Mayflower as it departed the shores of Britain. We learn about many of the historical facts of the voyage through the mouse’s lens and arrive on soil in Plimoth with him to experience the Pilgrims’ determination, hardship, religious devotion, and sharing of the first Thanksgiving bounty with the Native Americans. A delight to read, to share with children, and to revisit a place in our history in a playful way. The illustrations are creative and colorful. I highly recommend this for teachers and parents reading to children.
-Caroline, editor, designer

 5.0 out of 5 stars Carrying on Family History
Very pleased to hear of this book. Bought 2 so that I can share with my sister who is about to become a grandmother. I have enjoyed visiting classrooms and sharing the Mayflower story through the eyes of the children. This story and illustrations helps to describe for younger and early primary children so that they can understand some of what our ancestors endured. I am extra pleased to have been able to meet the author at a 400th celebration of the Mayflower’s arrival in New England! Thank you for a beautiful book!
-Cathy, parent