Maryland Colony

Children's Literature

Named after England's Queen Mary in 1634, the Maryland colony was to become one of the more tolerant colonies. The leaders of Maryland chose to pass a Toleration Act in1649, unlike the Puritan-dominated colony of Massachusetts. This approach assured a much higher degree of religious freedom in Maryland than in the more stringent New England colonies. Maryland became a prosperous colony and one that also allowed people of diverse faiths to seek a new life in America without the fetters of religious persecution. Maryland, its early settlers, and its colonial legacy are the intellectual fodder offered by author Tamara Britton. As part of a broader series entitled "The Colonies," this book follows a series-wide format. As in the other books in the series the author dedicates short chapters to subjects that allow younger readers to get a once-over-lightly look at Maryland's colonial history. Topics such as colonial relationships with Native Americans, types of houses, typical jobs, and food are concisely presented. Illustrations are used to enhance the author's points and are generally of period-authentic derivation. By combining a swift paced text with illustrations, Tamara Britton has produced a competent introduction to the colonial history of Maryland. What this book lacks in depth it makes up by being appropriate for youngsters' first introduction to the topic. 2001, ABDO Publishing Company, Romaneck