Revisioning Our Immigrant Ancestors
Another theme popular in children's picture books are immigration stories based on the real life experiences of a family member.
Grandfather's Journey written and illustrated by Allen Say follows Grandfather's multiple journeys: his first trip from Japan to America, his exploration of America, his return to Japan to find a wife, his return with his wife to California where his daughter was born, his family's return to Japan where his daughter married and later raised Allen. Grandfather always longed to visit America one last time, but he never makes that trip because of World War II. At the very ending of the book, Allen himself immigrates from Japan to America as a young man and has returned to Japan several times since: "The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other."
Journey to Ellis Island: How My Father Came to America by Carol Bierman and illustrated by Laurie McGraw is about a Russian-Jewish family's immigration experience through Ellis Island. Eleven year-old Yehuda had lost his father and sister in Russia while the Germans were attacking, and Yehuda himself was wounded and lost his finger before arriving at Ellis Island. The inspectors at Ellis Island won't allow sick people into America, and it seems that Yehuda and his family would be sent back to Russia. To prove his health, Yehuda runs twice around Ellis Island, and the family is allowed into America, where they are reunited with Yehuda's older brother.
Landed by Milly Lee and illustrated by Yangsook Choi is based on the childhood immigration of the author's father-in-law. This book is focused on the unpleasant Angel Island Immigration Station experience, where many Chinese immigrants were detained for over 4 weeks. Because this was his first journey to America, twelve year-old Sun must memorize facts about his house, his family tree, and other personal details. Sun's father helps and accompanies Sun across the ocean, but Sun is left at Angel Island, where he is rigorously interviewed and tested about his personal life. He wonders if he can pass, especially because he is not great with directional questions. After 4 weeks, he passes multiple interrogations and mets his father and brothers in San Francisco.
Though set in the early 1900s, these books were published after 1990. One theme common among real life immigrants is that at least one especially adventurous person (usually the oldest brother or the father) ventures to America first. Then the rest of the family follows. Another common immigrant theme is that they come to America not just for the opportunities but to escape one war, famine, oppression, poverty.
I'm curious to learn more about historical immigration picture books published before 1990. Any recommendations?
Grandfather's Journey written and illustrated by Allen Say follows Grandfather's multiple journeys: his first trip from Japan to America, his exploration of America, his return to Japan to find a wife, his return with his wife to California where his daughter was born, his family's return to Japan where his daughter married and later raised Allen. Grandfather always longed to visit America one last time, but he never makes that trip because of World War II. At the very ending of the book, Allen himself immigrates from Japan to America as a young man and has returned to Japan several times since: "The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other."
Journey to Ellis Island: How My Father Came to America by Carol Bierman and illustrated by Laurie McGraw is about a Russian-Jewish family's immigration experience through Ellis Island. Eleven year-old Yehuda had lost his father and sister in Russia while the Germans were attacking, and Yehuda himself was wounded and lost his finger before arriving at Ellis Island. The inspectors at Ellis Island won't allow sick people into America, and it seems that Yehuda and his family would be sent back to Russia. To prove his health, Yehuda runs twice around Ellis Island, and the family is allowed into America, where they are reunited with Yehuda's older brother.
Landed by Milly Lee and illustrated by Yangsook Choi is based on the childhood immigration of the author's father-in-law. This book is focused on the unpleasant Angel Island Immigration Station experience, where many Chinese immigrants were detained for over 4 weeks. Because this was his first journey to America, twelve year-old Sun must memorize facts about his house, his family tree, and other personal details. Sun's father helps and accompanies Sun across the ocean, but Sun is left at Angel Island, where he is rigorously interviewed and tested about his personal life. He wonders if he can pass, especially because he is not great with directional questions. After 4 weeks, he passes multiple interrogations and mets his father and brothers in San Francisco.
Though set in the early 1900s, these books were published after 1990. One theme common among real life immigrants is that at least one especially adventurous person (usually the oldest brother or the father) ventures to America first. Then the rest of the family follows. Another common immigrant theme is that they come to America not just for the opportunities but to escape one war, famine, oppression, poverty.
I'm curious to learn more about historical immigration picture books published before 1990. Any recommendations?
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posted by Emily Jiang at 8:34 AM
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2 Comments:
Allen Say's books are well-loved in our house. Grandfather's Journey (sorry no italics) was my first introduction to his work. It's actually part of our local library's collection of English books. I read it to our baby girl (1992) in my early days as a foreign wife and mother here in Tokyo. I didn't know where the story would take us but it led me right where I was and am still. It continues to bring tears. My children love and identify with the story, too.
Allen Say came to visit our SCBWI Tokyo chapter. I had to dab a few tears that day!
I look forward to reading more immigrant stories. It's poignant to read them from a distance.
Hi Annie! Wow, how wonderful that you actually met Allen Say. Yes, the ending of Grandfather's Journey was extremely touching for me, too, which is why I listed it first. To be a traveler back in the day of his grandfather was so much work, and one had to be extremely adventuresome to journey so far!
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