All the Way to America
The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel
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“This immigration story is universal.” —School Library Journal, Starred Dan Yaccarino’s great-grandfather arrived at Ellis Island with a small shovel and his parents’ good advice: “Work hard, but remember to enjoy life, and never forget your family.” With simple text and warm, colorful illustrations, Yaccarino recounts how the little shovel was passed down through four generations of this Italian-American family—along with the good advice. It’s a story that will have kids asking their parents and grandparents: Where did we come from? How did our family make the journey all the way to America? “A shovel is just a shovel, but in Dan Yaccarino’s hands it becomes a way to dig deep into the past and honor all those who helped make us who we are.” —Eric Rohmann, winner of the Caldecott Medal for My Friend Rabbit “All the Way to America is a charmer. Yaccarino’s heartwarming story rings clearly with truth, good cheer, and love.” —Tomie dePaola, winner of a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona
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Dan Yaccarino tells the story of his family's move from Italy to the United States. Everywhere the family goes, they carry their shovel along, and the shovel always serves a useful purpose.
A small biography for the very young.
“So when I grew up, I moved back to the city where my great-grandfather Michele had lived.
‘Work hard,' my father told me as he handed me the little shovel. ‘But remember to enjoy life.'
‘And don't forget to call your family,' said my mother.”
