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bmarrs92's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book talking about immigration to the USA and how we are all Americans. Especially today, this book would be an excellent choice to read to young children to instill a sense of compassion in them. Grades K-3
2016
Multicultural
2016
Multicultural
kidlitlove's review against another edition
3.0
Based on a poem written by Faith Ringgold, this book shows people in different clothing styles from differing places coming to America. There is a 2 page spread about Native Americans already being here. There is also a page that shows people coming through enslavement.
I was disappointed in the art. I expected more details in the pictures I guess.
This could be used in a classroom to highlight why people choose to come to America and some of the gifts that those immigrants give once they arrive.
I was disappointed in the art. I expected more details in the pictures I guess.
This could be used in a classroom to highlight why people choose to come to America and some of the gifts that those immigrants give once they arrive.
erine's review against another edition
4.0
A poetic read that emphasizes the diversity of the United States and the continuous influx of immigrants. Both are presented as positive attributes of our country in simple verse accompanied by bold and colorful illustrations.
drbatfcc's review against another edition
5.0
Award-winning author covers the many facets of immigration
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
4.0
A quick book, suitable for young audiences, about immigration and the forming of the American people. Ringgold's poem and art highlights the varius cultures that make up the American population, and the reasons they moved from other countries. Freedom, opportunities, avoiding oppression and death. It doesn't get very heavy when covering the injustices of the world at large (and, after all, modern America is certainly proving we are bad at avoiding injustice here at home. :/ ), but it doesn't hide and say everything was cool for the people arriving.
The book doesn't really cover what happens once the immigrants arrive, however, which feels a little disingenous, but I suppose the book would have to be a fair bit longer to add in that tough information.
I've really only got two main complaints here. First the book starts off with a stumble, as Riinggold says that "we came to America, every color, race, and religion," and then points out the native tribes, noting "some of us were already here." It feels a bit like the story of the native tribes is being washed away a bit, there. Also, the book ends with a single-page reprinting of the story's text as a poem. I'm not sure why this was necessary, except for length padding? I'd have much preferred a little page or two on the immigration process through the ages.
Overall, okay. Good for a school unit on diversity, but not one I'd really insist needs to be in such a unit. There's plenty of books out there that cover the subject of moving to a new country, and this one merely looks at thing from a broad view, which might be hard for younger kids to understand. I'd far and ahead recommend books focusing on individuals, rather than the entire concept of immigration.
The book doesn't really cover what happens once the immigrants arrive, however, which feels a little disingenous, but I suppose the book would have to be a fair bit longer to add in that tough information.
I've really only got two main complaints here. First the book starts off with a stumble, as Riinggold says that "we came to America, every color, race, and religion," and then points out the native tribes, noting "some of us were already here." It feels a bit like the story of the native tribes is being washed away a bit, there. Also, the book ends with a single-page reprinting of the story's text as a poem. I'm not sure why this was necessary, except for length padding? I'd have much preferred a little page or two on the immigration process through the ages.
Overall, okay. Good for a school unit on diversity, but not one I'd really insist needs to be in such a unit. There's plenty of books out there that cover the subject of moving to a new country, and this one merely looks at thing from a broad view, which might be hard for younger kids to understand. I'd far and ahead recommend books focusing on individuals, rather than the entire concept of immigration.
sfujii's review against another edition
3.0
Solid read to talk about inclusion and what it means to be American in your family. Amaya was bothered by the repetition of the main idea every few pages.
beths0103's review against another edition
5.0
"In spite of where we came from,
Or how or why we came,
We are ALL Americans,
Just the same."
An important message of diversity and inclusion and how our differences are what unite us.
Or how or why we came,
We are ALL Americans,
Just the same."
An important message of diversity and inclusion and how our differences are what unite us.
duke_and_turk's review against another edition
4.0
The simplicity of the illustrations and words do not take away from the a concisely depicted celebration of the diversity that makes us Americans.
luckyliza13's review against another edition
3.0
Vibrant illustrations accompany a simple poem that celebrates the diverse cultures of America. This would be great for a young classroom/storytime.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
This book is really really important to share over the next 4 years.