Squanto and the First Thanksgiving: The Legendary American Tale

Rabbit Ears' Holiday Classics

By: Eric Metaxas

Narrated by: Graham Greene

Length: 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover the moving, true story of the Native American named Squanto, who is captured from his beloved Pawtuxet tribe, taken to Spain, and sold into slavery. Years later, Squanto regains his freedom and embarks on a miraculous journey back to his homeland where he teaches the Pilgrims how to survive the difficult early years in the Plymouth colony - culminating in the first Thanksgiving celebration. This touching drama about trust, faith, and renewal is read by Graham Greene, with original musical accompaniment by Paul McCandless. Ages six and up. Part of the award-winning Rabbit Ears series, Holiday Classics.

Rabbit Ears stories open a door to the world of great literature. These are timeless and beloved stories that have delighted generations, and continue to offer powerful lessons for today's audiences. Listeners of all ages will explore faraway lands and cultures through folktales. You will walk alongside heroes of long ago legends. And discover master storytellers such as Beatrix Potter, Hans Christian Andersen, and Rudyard Kipling. Great stories. Great family memories. Get the entire Rabbit Ears library!

©2012 Rabbit Ears Entertainment, LLC (P)2016 Rabbit Ears Entertainment, LLC

AT LAST! THE OTHER SIDE OF THANKSGIVING STORY.

Any additional comments?

A fan of Graham Greene since "Dances With Wolves", who leaves behind his quirky humor in this story, and gives a feeling reading, I also am thankful to the author, Mr. Metaxes, who did such a nice job telling what it was like to be an Indian/First People before the Pilgrims landed, and how Squanto, after being unwillingly captured, taken to Spain and finally returned, made an extraordinary coincidence by meeting up with the first Pilgrims, speaking English. The dinner
sounded authentic, and delicious. Would I so love to include lobster and mussels at this historical dinner! But, at least I can add succotash, another dish that ran true for the time because Indians
did grow the "THree Sisters": corn, beans and squash.

I took off just one star for the music, which at times was irritating and invasive, not really adding to
or enhancing the mood.

This is a family story,worthwhile for both children and adults.

Great book, but the background music is too loud

I had purchased an earlier recording of this book 2 years ago, and loved it! But when I looked in my library, it was gone, so I bought this one. We couldn't hear the narration around the constant background sound effects/music. Very disappointed. I returned it and got my credit back

Meh

I was really excited about this, but the pace at which it was read made it a drag. Really disappointed. I’ll probably just get a physical copy.

So much more.

There is so much more to this story, it was disappointing. The story of the first Thanksgiving deserves to be told in full with a focus on the most important part, his conversion to Christianity and the way God saved him from smallpox. Even through terrible circumstances his life was preserved.

“…out of small beginnings, greater things have been produced…”

Our family listens to this book each year to prepare for Thanksgiving. The story of Squanto reaches down far into the heart to make us see great things from a small beginning.

Thankful

Not a fan of music but liked the story. We may make it a new tradition.

Thanksgiving Tradition

We’ve been reading Eric Metaxas’s book for years. This was a slightly different version but very good too. The performance was wonderful, along with the music.

Difficult to understand narrator

This is the first Rabbit Ears story that we cannot give five stars. The background music was too loud and the narrator was too soft-spoken. Also, only the last few minutes of the story were dedicated to the First Thanksgiving. We would have preferred to hear more about that.

Fun easy read

Metaxes knows how to write and he tells this story in a fun easy way. Its 23 minutes you will not regret.

Audio mix (narration over music) makes comprehension difficult

My primary issue with this book is about the audio mix. The narrator’s voice is low in pitch, and I had to struggle to understand the words because the accompanying music was too loud. The difference in average pitch between the voice and music exacerbated this issue. My 5-year-old gave similar (though less precise) feedback. I used several different speakers, and on some I could barely parse the story.

The story is otherwise fine; keep in mind age appropriateness and always have discussions with your child(ren) about historical context, e.g. what is different and what is the same 350 years later (in US and in other parts of the world), etc.