Toby Belfer Visits Ellis Island (Toby Belfer Series) [Hardcover]

Gloria Teles Pushker (Author), Judy Hierstein (Author), Judith Hierstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2003 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Toby Belfer Series

When Tobyís Jewish ancestors arrived in America, they were greeted by different customs and a different language but were eager to begin a new, exciting life.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. The elemental Jewish immigration story of a family coming to America is the focus of this simple picture book. Young Toby hears the story from her great-grandmother Rosie in New Orleans. Gram begins with childhood memories of fleeing with her family from her small Polish village when the brutal soldiers came. Then she describes the family's journey to America aboard a ship and their landing at Ellis Island, where they faced scary health inspections and searching questions, and often name changes (Raezel became Rosie). After hearing the story, Toby visits the museum on Ellis Island with her parents to trace her ancestors' experience. The prose is too exclamatory, and some of the line-and-watercolor pictures are unrealistic, especially the idyllic scenes in the village before the soldiers come. But the account of a contemporary child's visit to the museum makes this a useful first book for young readers wanting to trace their own European immigrant roots. Other books about Toby's Jewish heritage include Toby Belfer and the High Holy Days (2001). Hazel Rochman
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About the Author

Illustrator Judith Hierstein holds a B.A. in art from the University of Iowa. She has illustrated all of the Gloria Teles Pushker titles released by Pelican. Ms. Hierstein believes that pictures should begin where the written word ends, and she encourages children to share in her love of learning about other cultures through illustrated books.

Gloria Teles Pushker holds a M.A. in education with a concentration in children's literature from the University of New Orleans, and she is a member of the national Storytelling Association and the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (September 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589801172
• ISBN-13: 978-1589801172
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,343,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Simple, Sweet, Useful, Interesting and Appropriate for All Religions, June 1, 2011

By 

E. Starks "EJSTeeter" (Clifton, NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Toby Belfer Visits Ellis Island (Toby Belfer Series) (Hardcover)

There are many children's books about the Statue of Liberty, but there are not quite as many about Ellis Island and even fewer that are appropriate for young children. The pictures are engaging, and there aren't too many words on a page, which can overwhelm younger kids. The story focuses more on the journey of Toby's ancestors and less on Toby's visit to the museum, which I found more engaging for small children. I purchased this book on Ellis Island to read to my 3-year-old niece and 4-year-old nephew. They could understand the basic story and sit through the entire book. Older children would get even more out of the story, which touches on some of the hardships of emigrating from Europe in the early 1900s. The story could be a good starting point for more in depth conversations about immigration and the development of the United States. It would be very useful for preparing children for a trip to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.