All the Way to America - by Dan Yaccarino (Paperback)

About the Book

The story of four generations of an Italian American family, beginning 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."

Book Synopsis

"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

Review Quotes

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."

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, February 2011:
"With clarity and deep affection, Yaccarino turns his family history into a story of enduring charm. . . . A gloriously warm celebration."

"All the Way to America is a charmer. Yaccarino's heartwarming story rings clearly with truth, good cheer, and love." --Tomie de Paola, winner of a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona

"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

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.