It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, and in the wake of the recent election and Veteran’s Day, I have a wonderful book that celebrates the American Dream!
Title: Oscar’s American Dream
Written By: Barry Wittenstein
Illustrated By: Kristen & Kevin Howdeshell
Schwartz & Wade, October 2020, informational fiction
Suitable For Ages: publisher says 4-8, School Library Journal says 6-10 – I think SLJ is more on target
Themes/Topics: American history, immigration, American Dream, change and opportunity
Opening: “Oskar Nowicki
arrived at Ellis Island
carrying his life in a cardboard suitcase
and a skinny roll of money in his coat pocket,
a loan from his mother in Poland
for a down payment on his dream.“
Brief Synopsis: 20th century American history unfolds on a street corner in New York City as a little shop changes hands and dreams, from a barbershop in 1899 to luxury apartments in 1999.
Links To Resources: an author’s note at the back of the book expands on the history included in the story; trace the history of your home, or of a building in your neighborhood or town that you find interesting (a library, a town hall, a church, etc.): when was it built? who built it? what kind of history has it seen?; design, draw, and/or describe a shop/building that you would like to own that embodies your dream!
Why I Like This Book: I really enjoyed the idea of seeing history unfold on a street corner. What an interesting way of looking at the passage of time! A succession of people from different backgrounds with different dreams bought the little corner shop, and as a barbershop, a women’s clothing store, a soup kitchen, an army recruitment office, a bodega, and several other incarnations, the little shop saw the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, World War II, Civil Rights – all the history of the 20th century – and how the shop played a role in fulfilling the American Dreams of the various owners. The art is a beautiful complement to the text, filled with interesting details, and reflecting the mood of the times.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Wow, history truly does come to you from this corner shop. Susanna I love the clothing, colors, and passage of time in these spreads. It almost feesl like opening a time capsule. THank you for sharing this one. I’m looking forward to getting from my library.
Thanks for sharing, sounds lovely!
This is such a wonderful picture book – I’ve read & loved it, too. I love your resource ideas!
Thank you! I can’t wait to read Oscar’s American Dream!! Have a splendid day! Annette
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We need more books like this one!
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Susanna:)
The little shop on the corner is like a wonderful character in this story, observing growth, changing owners and being a part of the history of the city. Love it! The illustrations give the shop and story a cozy feel, as it holds big dreams for its owners. Great choice right now.
Love love love this book, Susanna! Barry has such a gift for engaging us with his words.
Oooh, I just saw this book somewhere else, and it’s on my TBR list. I love Barry Wittenstein’s writing. And the 60s-70s era illustration with the flower power bell bottoms, facial hair, and track suit makes me smile.
what a wonderful story! And the illustrations are so inviting. Definitely putting this on my tbr list.
Must read it!
What a unique and clever way to write about history!
Thank you, everybody, for all the heartwarming comments.
Love the cover of this book, and what a fascinating way to explore history! Such a clever idea.