When Pioneer Wagons Rumbled West - Hardcover

Ages 4^-7. Self-professed stay-at-home moms Graham and Meidell recount the trials and tribulations of life on the Mormon Trail, with an emphasis on the role of prayer in the early settlers' daily lives. Graham's rhythmic verses recall such hardships as crossing rivers, climbing steep mountains, and caring for the sick, as well as more pleasant endeavors such as dancing around the campfire. Meidell's attractive watercolors feature bright, upbeat colors and offer many interesting details of camp life. Although the focus on prayer makes this unsuitable for many public school collections, the presentation is non-denominational and will be useful for classes that combine religion and secular studies. See also Walton's Dance, Pioneer, Dance!, reviewed on p.233, which also touches on the Mormon story. Kay Weisman

PreSchool-Grade 3-Travelers in covered wagons trudge westward. These pioneers pray and beg for the help and indulgence of their God on every page. They pray as they work, they pray as they toil, they pray as they pull, they pray with each step. Even when they worry, it is "with faith." When they reach journey's end, they kneel in thankfulness. However, it is only the flap copy that informs readers that these pioneers are Mormons. A dozen double-page watercolor spreads depict the customary travails of wagon-train travelers. A disturbing feature of the illustrations is that the people portrayed seem to have only shadowed sockets rather than eyes.
Ruth Semrau, formerly at Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.