The well-known children's author/illustrator Dan Yaccarino gets personal with this tale about his family history. The story starts with Dan's great-grandfather Michele Iaccarino, who grew up poor on a farm in Sorrento, Italy. As a young man he immigrated to New York City. When he left, his parents gave him a little shovel he had used on the farm, some photos of the family and a recipe for tomato sauce. They advised him to work hard, enjoy life and never forget family. The story then takes us through the years to Dan's own family, with each generation finding a use for the little shovel and remembering the advice of Michele's parents.
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Reading level: 4-8
Language:Â English (A cultural book)
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40 pages
Soft cover
Product Dimensions: 10.1 X 8.1 X 0.5
Review from Star-Telegram
This is a well-told, sweet story about family and family values, but is also a great way for kids to learn about America's history and its European immigrants. It is sure to provoke discussion about your own family's roots.Â
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