The Connecticut Colony

Children's Literature

The name Connecticut stems from a Native American term that roughly translates to "beside the long tidal river." In a very real sense, Connecticut with its broad Atlantic frontage certainly fits that age-old description. In the colonial era, Connecticut was a small but prosperous enclave. Yankee peddlers selling a variety of goods and tin products became legendary in this region. Farmers struggled with the rocky New England soil but stubbornly made a living. Lumberjacks cut down stands of trees and shipped them out to build a wide variety of structures. Connecticut was, and still is, a place of great beauty. The settlers of this colony carved out a livelihood from a lovely but unforgiving landscape. These colonists also displaced the Native Americans who initially welcomed them. The legacy of colonial Connecticut is presented in this compact illustrated work. As one of the books in the illustrated "The Colonies" series, this particular text follows a series-wide format. The author begins by tracing political roots of the Connecticut colony. After detailing early explorations the focus shifts to elements of common life. Finally, Connecticut's involvement in the American Revolution and the pursuit of statehood is described. As in other books in this series The Connecticut Colony is a workmanlike introduction to its subject. Readers with little background knowledge of the subject will find this to be an acceptable literary first step in their study. 2001, ABDO Publishing Company, Romaneck