You Wouldn't Want to Sail on the Mayflower!: A Trip That Took Entirely Too Long

by Peter Cook, Kevin Whelan (Illustrator)

Through the eyes of Priscilla Mullins and her family, the reader journeys aboard the Mayflower to the New World, surviving cramped conditions, devastating sickness, disgusting food, and winter storms on the treacherous Atlantic Ocean.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Thanksgiving, American History, School, Picture Books

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2005

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I did find You Wouldn't want to Sail on the Mayflower!:A Trip that Took Entirely too Long very informational, I also found that it did not flow very well. I found the the information was good, and it was entertaining to read. The different chapters tell us the different aspects of the trip that we are learning about... The crew, the ship, seasickness and death. We also learn about the Plymouth colony that was set up after the Mayflower landed. The glossary, index, and table of contents make this book easy to use to learn more about the topic.
The illustrations in this book are fun, cartoon-like pictures. They are very humorous, but I feel they do not add much to the story. Many are just charicatures of the people who were on the ship.
I feel this story falls short because it tries to put the reader into the role of one of the passengers. The problem is that only one or none of the sentences on each page actually does this. I feel as if this is an afterthought. I think it would have been better to really get you into the character, or drop it and just give the fact. The facts are interesting enough without the story.
I would recommend this book to younger elementary who are learning about the pilgrims and the Mayflower. Reading and looking at this book really help the students know and use various text features to locate key facts or information in a text.

[Debbie Rosaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avoid Sailing on the Mayflower! By Peter Cook

This colourful and cheerfully illustrated history book is written from the perspective of a girl called Priscilla whose family are about to set sail on the Mayflower in 1620. The book charts the reasons for the voyage and the challenges faced by the people who sailed across the Atlantic to start a new life in the New World. It tells of the hardships aboard the Mayflower and of the difficulties faced by those who survived the crossing in their first year as immigrants. The book introduces the reader to many characters including the different family members and the ships crew. The dynamic relationship between the two groups and the destiny that faces them forms the intricacy of the story.

This book provides lots of learning opportunities for KS2 children as it is very ‘user friendly’ and illustrated with attractive, funny and gripping images. The design of the book allows for inspiring role play opportunities, character perspectives and hot seating. There are cross curricular links with literacy for diary writing, descriptive writing, letter writing as well as predictive, inference and perspectives to explore.

[Beth Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

You Wouldn’t Want to Sail on the Mayflower: A Trip that Took Entirely Too Long by Peter Cook draws readers into the life of a teenage pilgrim. Readers are witness to the many hardships that were a part of the journey from England to the New World. The book is told in a lighthearted tone but conveys the historical facts while cartoon illustrations keep the reader engaged. Each section includes a piece of useful advice and more information in the format of a “Handy Hint” such as “make sure your settlement is legal, otherwise it could be taken form you”. There are many topics covered in this series which include numerous other titles that are great for students in grades 3 and up. It’s a new approach to reading an informational book that provide humor and fun all while educating its readers.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is great about being honest in regards to not only the Mayflower, but the ship from Holland that barely made it to England, much less Massachusetts. It also gives a perfect ratio and numerical explanation of the survival rate....It does give a bit more of the classroom friendly version of Squanto and the First Thanksgiving though, which the other You wouldn't want to books does not (which was a bit disappointing)

[Duane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Although this series is one of my favorite for learning about historical times and places, but this book falls short in being a good read. The illustrations aren't up to the normal level, and the storyline just doesn't follow through with it's informative but humorous style that these books usually bring. I'd pass on this one.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids really do like these books. I told them we had a new title to read and they both said "yay!" None of the information was new to us and the first person point of view ("you are Priscilla Mullins") doesn't really carry well through the story but it was a fun book. The kids were especially pleased to hear about descendants of Priscilla Mullins.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part of a history series for children. This copy is a revised edition, with added material. I love this series, I'm planning on giving some as Christmas presents this year. They give the basic facts about various times in history, that are written in a way younger kids would understand them and enjoy. I really recommend them.

[MCPLD Youth Department]

This is a very informative book for the young reader about the Pilgrims and how they lived during their voyage to America. The book is loaded with interesting facts presented in a way the young will be able to understand.

[Amy]

Huh. Well, I guess that a book is not holding a child's attention when that child pulls out their math homework on a Friday night and starts doing it during story time. :-) Best to save this one for another day.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the humor in history it gives

[Jennifer Rummel · Rating 4 out of 5]

funny and full of facts = a great book for kids

[Ratforcekids]

This lighthearted history book was written for younger readers. It is also part of a series that features major historical events, such as the Titanic disaster and the Civil War.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to use when teaching about the First Thanksgiving. Lots of information, pictures are cartoonish, but students will enjoy all of the information they can learn.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timeline, maps, loads of colorful pictures, small chunks of text= easy to read book for middle grades

[Christina Potter Bieloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and entertaining history of the Mayflower journey!!!! We learned a lot!!!

[Kelly Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never knew that the Pilgrims were actually trying to reach Virginia, but instead a storm blew their ship off course.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher (8yo) read.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting story of the pilgrims who traveled on the Mayflower.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad intro to Pilgrim life. The cover and illustrations were eye-catching. The writing was a bit wordy and dry in certain places. The author was repetitive with certain details (although they were details that my kids were less likely to retain, so maybe repetition wasn't a terrible idea). I liked that the author put the reader in the shoes of an actual person who'd sailed on the Mayflower: (Your name is Priscilla. You marry the cooper of the ship. There are historic celebrities in your lineage.)

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

An account of the journey some pilgrims took to America.

Some interesting facts, but could have been more in depth plus better structured.

Reading time roughly thirty minutes.

[Laura The Book Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all the "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." books

[Vivienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some good information, but it didn't flow well. The illustrations were not pleasing.

[Deidre]

Great for the kids, lots of fun!

[Donalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in the series. My students and I learned a lot about the Mayflower!