All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel [Hardcover]

Dan Yaccarino (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 8, 2011 | Age Range: 5 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 830L (What's this?)

This is the story of four generations of an Italian American family. It begins with an immigrant who came through Ellis Island with big dreams, a small shovel, and his parents' good advice: "Work hard, but remember to enjoy life, and never forget your family."

Now, many years later, the man's great-grandson, Dan Yaccarino, tells how he succeeded, and how the little shovel has been passed from father to son—along with the good advice.

It's a story that captures the experience of so many American families. One that will have kids asking their parents and grandparents, where did we come from? Tell me our story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Starred Review, Publishers Weekly:
"In this affectionate personal history, Yaccarino (Lawn to Lawn) traces his ancestry from Sorrento, Italy to New York City. . . Folksy and warm, this is a timely reminder that America is a nation of immigrants."

Starred Review, School Library Journal, March 2011:
"Yaccarino’s family is proudly Italian, but their immigration story is universal. Readers of varied backgrounds will be able to identify with the search for a better life in a new country, the passing along of values and heirlooms, and the addition of new family members. The story will make an excellent family-history discussion starter."

About the Author

DAN YACCARINO is an internationally acclaimed author-illustrator with more than thirty books to his credit. Dan is also the creator of the animated TV series Oswald. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (March 8, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375866426
• ISBN-13: 978-0375866425
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 0.3 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,817 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Emigrants & Immigrants

More About the Author

Dan has written and illustrated over three dozen children's books and has had the pleasure of working with some of the most prestigious names in children's literature, including Margaret Wise Brown, Jack Prelutsky, Kevin Henkes and Patricia MacLaughlin. Dan has also had the honor of being invited to the White House to share his books and to participate in the annual Easter festivities.

Dan has created and produced Nickelodeon's animated series, Oswald, as well as Willa's Wild Life and is the character designer behind Nickelodeon's The Backyardigans.

Currently, Dan is writing and illustrating more books and is developing more television as well as feature film projects.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It will definitely spark curiosity March 16, 2011

By Lisa Barker

Format:Hardcover

Very well done! I loved the way the little shovel ties the generations together and takes us from one family to the next in this author's history. This makes for a fascinating read that would definitely compliment a second grade social studies unit on families and ancestors (great for homeschooling), and just wonderful for a parent or grandparent to read with a child curled up on his/her lap. It will definitely spark curiosity in each child about his/her own story. There's a lot of talk about this book and it's all right on the mark. - Biblio Reads Children's Book Review

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful family story December 31, 2012

By Maria Sidor

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Illustrations bring the story to life. Great story that focuses on family and the importance of traditions. This story brought back happy memories of my childhood.

5.0 out of 5 stars Your Heritage Through The Eyes of a Child November 14, 2012

By Impressions

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this book for my grandson and I am giving it to him for Christmas.
I wanted him to see in easy terms how immigrants came over and started a new life in the US. I think he will love it. Being Italian and having great-grandparents who were born in Italy will help him understand how and why they came over.