Product Description

"Captures the excitement of immigrants who are becoming U.S. citizens. All across New York City, people are preparing for 'a very important day'...not the least bit daunted by a snowstorm....A tale told with vigor, exuberantly displayed in Stock's people-filled watercolor landscapes and cozy interior scenes of all the pre-oath preparations, this is a thoughtful celebration of one of this country's most meaningful ceremonies."--Kirkus Reviews.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #670636 in Books
• Published on: 1995-08-14
• Released on: 1995-08-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 40 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Early one morning, too excited to sleep, a woman from the Philippines watches from her window as snow falls on New York City. As the day breaks, 11 other families-each originally from a different country-are seen heading downtown and heard referring to this "very important day." Youngsters won't pick up on their destination until well past the story's midpoint: these families are bound for the courthouse, where, among a vast group, they are sworn in as U.S. citizens. After each receives a certificate and recites an oath, the judge announces: "Welcome. We are glad to have you. This is a very important day." And as the new citizens, their families and friends leave the building to view the sun shining on the freshly fallen snow, a voice in the crowd proclaims, awkwardly and repetitiously, "This has become our country on this very important day!" Ending with a note explaining the process of gaining citizenship, Herold's first children's book meets the target audience in terms of its content, but its repetitive structure is better suited to younger children. Though stiff in some places and underdone in others, Stock's (Where Are You Going, Manyoni?) watercolor art gives personality to the large multicultural crew assembled here. Ages 6-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3?November 25th is the day that 219 people will take the oath of allegiance to the United States and become citizens. The focus of this multicultural narrative is the naturalization ceremony, which brings the 12 families introduced in the previous pages together in celebration of this momentus event. Each double-page segment is devoted to one family as fathers, mothers, children, and other relatives prepare to leave for the court in lower Manhattan. Originally coming from Scotland or Ghana, India or El Salvador, each group shares the nervous excitement generated by this occasion. Because of the episodic nature of the book, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of the many characters, but a glossary of names at the end is helpful for pronunciation and reinforces the geographical spread of the countries represented. Herold includes a brief explanation of what is involved in becoming a U.S. citizen, which will make clear to young readers the lengthy process and amount of preparation that has brought each individual to this day. Stock's sprightly watercolors reinforce the celebratory mood, even as they depict the details of homes, dress, and way of life of various people. Both author and illustrator have also captured the nuances of the way the children are already Americanized in their dress and colloquial conversations. Many books deal with the immigrant experience in terms of getting here and settling in; this title offers another dimension. A welcome addition to the picture-book shelves.?Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 4^-7. After the first quiet, gray-tone painting, which pictures a solitary face staring out at a city dawn dotted with snowflakes, this book bursts forth in a riot of color and activity. Each double-page spread introduces a different family--the Huertas, the Leonovs, the Zengs, the Akuffos, the Patels, and many others--who announce their excitement about this "very special day," the day they will be sworn in as naturalized citizens of the U.S. Multicultural in the broadest sense, the book shows people of different countries united by their patriotism, their common delight in the beautiful snow-dotted cityscape, and their excitement about the event. There is no real story, simply a linear progression toward the common goal (not revealed until the final few spreads), orchestrated smoothly enough so children won't ever miss knowing all the many characters by name. A glossary supplies guidance for pronouncing names, and a clear, nicely detailed overview of the process of naturalization rounds things out. Pictures and story combine to make the joy of the day contagious. Stephanie Zvirin

Customer Reviews

A Very Important Day
Confusing! After reading the first page it is difficult to understand where the author is going as she does not clearly define the different families. Great theme, of addressing citizenship, but needs a clearer approach. Not a book I would reccomend for 4th grade.