About this item
“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.
About the Author
Dan has written and illustrated over three dozen children's books and has had the pleasure of working with some of the most prestigious names in children's literature, including Margaret Wise Brown, Jack Prelutsky, Kevin Henkes and Patricia MacLaughlin. Dan has also had the honor of being invited to the White House to share his books and to participate in the annual Easter festivities.
Dan has created and produced Nickelodeon's animated series, Oswald, as well as Willa's Wild Life and is the character designer behind Nickelodeon's The Backyardigans.
Currently, Dan is writing and illustrating more books and is developing more television as well as feature film projects.
