
A small shovel carries a family's legacy across generations in America.
A small shovel and wise words guide an Italian immigrant family through generations in America. As the shovel is passed down, each descendant faces their own journey, echoing the timeless advice: work hard, enjoy life, and cherish family. This heartwarming tale invites readers to explore their own roots and the stories that shape them. How did your family make their journey?
“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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