Product Description

Combining warm prose with child-friendly watercolor illustrations, an introduction to the history of immigration to the United States offers young readers a perspective on the heritage that all Americans share.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #289600 in Books
• Published on: 1996-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780590441513
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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From Publishers Weekly
Clearly tuned into her audience, Maestro (The Discovery of the Americas) offers a neatly distilled overview of U.S. immigration, covering extensive ground without oversimplifying. She astutely makes each reader a part of her story, stating, "All Americans are related to immigrants or are immigrants themselves." Referring to the arrival of the first Americans many thousands of years ago, the author emphasizes that there were millions of inhabitants by the time Columbus "discovered" America. She describes the many waves of settlers from European countries, the grim horror of the slave trade ("Instead of finding freedom, these Africans lost theirs"), the ordeal of inspection at Ellis Island and the ongoing stream of refugees who take shelter in the U.S. for a variety of reasons. Ryan's (Darcy and Gran Don't Like Babies) busy, expressive watercolor art makes it easy for readers to share both the anxiety and exhilaration of the individuals it so vividly depicts. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?An introductory history of immigration from thousands of years ago through the present, focusing on why different groups of people came to America and how they became a part of our national heritage. Maestro points out that when Christopher Columbus "discovered" the Americas, millions of people were already living on these continents. Different perspectives are incorporated into the text, including the harsh treatment Indians received and the forced immigration of Africans. The various laws that the U. S. has adopted to control immigration are explained. A brief history of Ellis Island is included. The colorful, exuberant watercolors show men, women, and children of all nationalities. Most of the scenes are hopeful or festive, although one illustration of a crying child being held back from a relative who was rejected at Ellis Island is upsetting. A table of dates provides a quick summary of immigration highlights. A useful overview of a complex issue, attractively designed and clearly written.?Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 5^-9. The sentiments of this picture book celebrate America's rich diversity as a nation of immigrants, and the history is inclusive; but the determinedly upbeat message is overdone, especially in the illustrations, which exaggerate folksy culture, beads-and-feathers kind of costuming, festive foods, and gleeful holiday togetherness. Diversity is enriching, and it's who we are, but few Americans will recognize this cute idyll. The history is better. Maestro begins with the first nomads, the American Indians, and does mention that Indians were later pushed off their land. She also notes that millions of Africans were forcibly brought to the Americas as slaves. She describes the successive waves of people who have come here through the centuries: why they left their homes, how they journeyed, what their hopes were, how they settled, and how today's new immigrants continue to come in search of a better life for themselves and their children. It's in the present scenes that the style lapses into sermonizing about "the growing appreciation and understanding of the special character and unique contributions of each cultural or ethnic group" --hardly picture-book text. But the history is a useful introduction. Hazel Rochman

Customer Reviews

Enlightens children about a difficult to understand topic
This book is very good because it helps elucidate the unique challenges that immigrants from foreign countries face when they come to the United States. Children who are born and raised here have difficulty grasping the very real issues of language barriers, culture shock, social isolation and the great effort that is required to overcome these difficulties. The book helps to increase the child's sensitivity to, and appreciation for, the great achievements that immigrants make in their adaptation and integration into American society. The book discusses the great contributions that immigration has made to the strength and cultural diversity of our nation. It is an eye-opener for kids, and I highly recommend this book.

The dream begins
My 5 year old Grandson has set a goal to visit the "Pledge of Allegiance Lady" when his little brother is "old enough to walk all the stairs." This book further advanced that goal. Wonderful reading and very informative. It fed his young mind.

Presents the evolving immigration history of the United States to the primary grade student
From the first nomadic groups, to the colonial settlers, to the Africans forced into slavery, to those seeking refuge from throughout the world, the character of our nation was forged by immigrants as each group enriched the diversity of our nation. Coming To America presents the evolving immigration history of the United States to the primary grade student, exploring the factors that brought each group to America as well as their impact on the development of our nation. Vivid illustrations by Susannah Ryan bring the immigration experience to life and will appeal to primary grade students. The chronology of immigration, notes on immigration today, and other interesting facts included in the back of the book will enhance a young child's understanding of the subject.