Three Young Pilgrims by Cheryl Harness

"When Bartholomew, Remember, and Mary Allerton and their parents first step down from the Mayflower after sixty days at sea, they never dream that life in the New World will be so hard. Many in their Plymouth Colony won't make it through the winter, and the colony's first harvest is possible only with the help of two friends, Samoset and Squanto.

Richly detailed paintings show how the pilgrims lived after landing at Plymouth, through the dark winter and into the busy days of spring, summer, and fall. Culminating with the excitement of the original Thanksgiving feast, Three Young Pilgrims makes history come alive." (from the back cover)

If I had to choose one book about the pilgrims, this would be it. Absolute top favorite. I loved it as a child and I love it now. (And yes, my daughter enjoyed it too.) Beautifully illustrated and told perfectly, the author touches on all the salient points -- the voyage, the hunger and sickness, the loss even children had to face, and the thankfulness for God's provision. All done realistically and age appropriately. She also creatively works additional historical info into artistic sidebars that neatly expand the age range of the material. It's one of the few books where I feel the sidebars are done so well that they themselves enhance the pictures. The handwritten quality just draws you further into the story. 

To summarize: it's an important story, the writing tone is so evocative -- without being heavy handed -- and the illustrations are just gorgeous. Highly, highly recommend!