By Carmen John Leone
Author Carmen John Leone dedicates his picture book "to our father and great grandfather, and to all the brave and wonderful immigrants who through their courage, love, and faith, made our lives possible."
After penning the book years ago, Leone waited for his grandniece to grow up so that he could ask her to illustrate it for him!
She said yes.
The result is a beautiful "little story of a big journey."
In the voice of his father who immigrated to America from Italy at fourteen years of age, Mr. Leone speaks of profound love and strength while sharing the heartbreaking farewell to the familiar as well as the courage to face the unknown.
Illustrator Lora Finelli captures memories and emotion through colorful pictures, each with a distinctive, stained glass quality.
Together, author and illustrator have created a book that honors the immigrants' "heroic ability to adapt and accept
the many blessings" in America, and recalls their unfailing hope for happiness in a strange new land.
Paperback 24 pages
for ages 5+
8 1/2 x 11
Language - English
$11.99