The Delaware Colony

Children's Literature

Originally part of the Pennsylvania Colony, Delaware did not attain independent colonial status until 1704. Despite its late emergence on the map of the original Thirteen Colonies, Delaware was to become the first state to approve the new U.S. Constitution in 1787. Thus, Delaware proudly remains to this day the "First State" in the Federal Union. The history of Delaware is offered up in this chapter of the "Our Thirteen Colonies" series. The author of this work, Jean F. Blashfield, follows the standard model for all books in this illustrated series. The text starts with a review of the early settlement history of Delaware including relationships between Europeans and Native Americans. The story moves on to the emergence of colonial Delaware and its establishment as a separate Royal Colony. Blashfield then briefly traces the role citizens of Delaware played in the Revolutionary War. The story of Delaware's approval of the Federal Constitution closes the book. Throughout this work, author Blashfield shows an evenhanded spirit as evidenced by her handling of difficult questions like slavery and the treatment of Native Americans. As is the case with other books in this series, The Delaware Colony is a reasonable place for youngsters to begin their education of a specific region of the nation. 2004, The Child's World, Ages 8 to 10.
— Greg M. Romaneck