When I First Came to this Land

by Harriet Ziefert

In cumulative verse based on a popular folk poem and zany full-color pictures, a celebratory look at immigration features a young man who arrives in America with nothing but a strong back, a good heart, and a sense of humor. Reissue.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Cultural, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.

For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.

"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.

Reviews

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book with silly illustrations. It's one of those books that you read the whole book back once something is added. I don't mind them so much, but when reading aloud I tend to get more tired, and even when reading silently I get a little bored. But it is a fun book for kids and helps them read things that they are familiar with since it repeats. Also love the immigrant who comes and builds a great life for himself in America.

[Nate Deprey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book about once a month for story time at my library and love it completely. It's simple message of the hard work of immigrants in America is beautiful written and the list building the story uses makes the story fun to read aloud and unbelievably compelling.

[Yadira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a man who comes to this land and is not a wealthy man. This story includes many rhyming words and repeats patterns of sentences over and over again. This is a good book for phonemic awareness and can be used to talk about that and rhyming.

[Escher · Rating 4 out of 5]

... and I called my farm 'muscle in my arm'
... and I called my pig 'too darn big'

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at Family Story Time on 6/6/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book - what a great song and great story. Loved the illustrations.

[Hannah Starnes]

This book can be used for end rhyme, as well as repetition. You can also use it to discuss then vs. now immigration in a social studies setting.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this one, but the kids seem to enjoy it. I do enjoy Taback's illustrations.