Coming to America: The Story of Immigration ANNOTATION
With clearly written prose and warm, child-friendly illustrations, this picture book is a wonderful first introduction to the moving story of the history of immigration to the United States--a story that belongs to all Americans. Full-color.
FROM THE CRITICS
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. (Feb.)
Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman
Brava to Besty Maestro for taking the complex issue of "immigration" and making it accessible for all children. Kudos to Ms Ryan whose paintings are a joyous depiction of the diversity of this country. From the first Americans thousands of years ago to those who arrived only yesterday, their goal was always the same: a better life for their children.
School Library Journal
Gr 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
BookList - Hazel Rochman
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.
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