This is the story of Marguerite Ledoux, a "bound out girl," of Colonial days.  We meet her on shipboard, when the Sargent family are moving from Marblehead to Mount Desert.  Marguerite, remembering a very different life in France, is vividly impressed with every detail of this pioneer voyage; while she cares for the children, she listens to the talk and tales of the older people.

In Maine, she helps the Sargents make a new home.  They are real pioneers, meeting Indians both friendly and hostile, gathering hard won crops from rocky soil, busy at wool-shearing, spinning and weaving.  Legend and ballad have their share in the plot, especially the romantic ballad of the "calico bush," which you may see for yourself today in Maine.

You can also see the blue line of the mountains of the island named Mount Desert by Champlain.  The Maine settlers made a quilt pattern from this line of "delectable mountains," and this pattern has been copied by Mr. Allen Lewis for the jacket and binding of the book.  He also contributes some charming two-color woodblocks and other decorations.

"Calico Bush" will appeal to all those who enjoyed "Hitty," and is an equally distinguished piece of book-making.

From the dust jacket