Flashback Tuesday: Peppe the Lamplighter by Elisa Bartone illus by Ted Lewin

Peppe the Lamplighter by Elisa Bartone and beautifully illustrated by Ted Lewin is a wonderful immigration story that takes place in the early days of the 20th century.  This book always reminded me of my Dad's family.   Well actually both my parent's families.  I was reminded of this book at a family wedding this weekend.  Talking to my cousins made me think of all the times I visited Greenwich Village growing up.   My father's family settled in NY at around the same time this book takes place. My Mom's family also started out in this same area before moving to Brooklyn when my Mom was a very young.   Plus I always liked that Peppe had 8 sisters while my Mom had six girls in her family.  This book is a nice way to teach children about living in a time before electricity, when the nights were lit up by gas lamps that gave a hazy glow.  

All the Way to America by Dan Yaccarino

All the Way to America by Dan Yaccarino is a new book that celebrates family and the fact that as Americans we all come from somewhere else.   I was immediately drawn to this new book because I too  can trace my family history to Italy.   Dan Yaccarino tells his families story beautifully and in such a way that we can all identify with it.   It doesn't matter where your family comes from.   The underlying theme is that we should all learn to appreciate our past in order to understand our present and our future.   My favorite line in the book is the advice that is passed down from generation to generation:

"Work hard, but remember to enjoy life, and never forget your family"..... this is the same lesson I learned from my father....a man who worked hard his whole life but always knew how to enjoy the simple things in his life and whose family always came first.  

If anyone is near the Tenement Museum in NYC on March 14th at 6:30 pm you can see and hear a talk by Dan Yaccarino about his new book and his families immigrant history.   It is sure to be a fun and informative presentation.

Oh and this is a must have book for anyone to enjoy, no matter where they come from.....it is great conversation starter with the kids.  

Flashback Tuesday: Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen

When I first started as a bookseller the children's book area was very small. There were never many books for Thanksgiving and even now that it seems like a lost holiday. That being said there was always one book that was a perennial. The funny part is that it isn't even a traditional Thanksgiving story.

I have always loved the book Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen. It is the story of a Russian Immigrant girl and what she goes through to fit in to her new world. The lesson learned is that America is filled with "pilgrims" since so many have come here from a different place for a new and better life. It is a message that can never get old. It is great to read aloud or for a child to read alone. It teaches empathy and understanding of the world around us, it also teaches us to be thankful for all we have. A truly beautiful story, a must have for any library!