We Came to America

This book, written by the renowned artist Faith Ringgold, briefly highlights the history of America’s immigration. The story begins by introducing Native Americans as the first people living on the land that is now the United States. Ringgold offers stories from different nationalities leaving their lives behind for different reasons to start a new life in America. This includes how some people were brought to the country against their will. It discusses how immigrants brought their cultures to America, including food, music, and clothing. The illustrations are culturally responsive and inclusive of many different backgrounds.

We Came to America in the Classroom

This book could be utilized to start a conversation with students about how the America we know was built by immigrants. It is important for students to see themselves and their cultures as contributing members of American society.

This book would be appropriate as a read aloud for most kindergarten and first grade classes. Depending on the readers’ proficiency, some first and second grade students could read this as an independent activity.

Through DPS’ online library, Sora, this story is also available as a read aloud. This would allow all students access to this text independently. To ensure that this story is meaningful to students, key vocabulary such as culture and immigration can be pre-taught.

Additional Resources

This website offers background information about the author and has examples of her artwork.

www.faithringgold.com/

Ringgold, F. (2016). We Came to America. Random House Children’s Books.