The Voyage of the Mayflower

The Voyage of the Mayflower (Graphic History)is another wonderful addition to the Graphic History series.

Allison Lassieur does a great job in providing children with accurate information and vocabulary. She uses the word Separatists to refer to the travelers, which is not only accurate, but also easier to explain to children than the more common term Pilgrims. The book does not start with the travelers boarding the ship or already on the ship, but explains what life was like for the community living in Holland. This ultimately provides students with a deeper understanding of their motivations for leaving and making a journey to lands none of the future settlers had been to prior to this trip.

The book also addresses another area that often is ignored, the financing of the trip. The book discusses the financial backing they required. It mentions them seeking out Thomas Weston and how they recruited other people to make the journey who did not share their religious beliefs, labeling them strangers. These additional passengers were required to meet the financial obligations of the journey. The book also explains some of the issues that arose as the second ship, the Speedwell was not able to continue with the journey.

The strongest parts of the book were those that discussed the journey. The book loses some of its focus when the settlers arrive in the New World and the author appears to be hurrying to a finish. I would suggest this as a resource for learning about the Separatists and the journey of the Mayflower and seeking information about the settlement from other resources.

I continue to be amazed at the quality and accuracy of the information that is provided in the graphic novel format. These books are appropriate for younger students and can be used with older students too. They would be especially useful for older students that may struggle with reading or have second language challenges. The information is accessible, but still very accurate.