WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THIS LAND

by Harriet--Adapt. Ziefert ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 18, 1998

In a lighthearted look at the immigrant experience, Ziefert retells a cumulative 19th-century American poem that describes a cheerful man who comes to the US, buys a farm, sets up house, and makes a life. The verses are catchy and fun: With each page, the farmer explains what he has taken on, and what he names it. ""I called my horse/I'm-the-boss!/I called my plow/Don't-know-how!/And I called my farm/Muscle-in-my-arm!"" Shack, cow, wife, and son also show up, with the son taking over the last verse by naming his duck, mother, and father. Taback's bold, bright illustrations portray the charming farmer in a series of mishaps that add fun and meaning to the verse. Antique ads, photos, ticket stubs, newspaper clipping, and stamps pasted into the art augment the period of history in a grand story about a brave generation who won't soon be forgotten.

Pub Date: May 18, 1998

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1998

Categories: CHILDREN'S