Annah Neumire's Reviews > All the Way to America: The Story of a Big Italian Family and a Little Shovel

This good-feeling book is essentially about a small shovel that traveled through centuries by being passed down within a family. It started its life-long journey in Italy where Michele used it to tend to their family garden. As Michele grew up, he knew he wanted to try his hardest to have a better life in The United States; and he did. He took the long journey to the new land where he landed in New York City and resided in a town called Little Italy. He went on to marry a woman and have children, the narrator's grandfather and passed along this special little shovel. "Work hard," he told his eldest son and so he did. Eventually, the shovel ends up with Michele's great-grandchild. The family grew so large and loved celebrating where they had originated from; Italy.
This story shows children what great assets immigrants can be for America; starting businesses and adding a diverse culture to the land. I believe it gives children a glimpse of understanding that immigrants come to America to build their life for the better; and their families.
The illustrations, by Yaccarino, in this book are very detailed, graphic in nature, and pleasing to one's eye. The have vivid and bright colors, but still, do an excellent job of depicting life in the past.