Coming Fall 2026!
Endorsements
Sounds of Americais an auditory journey of immigration with words personified as sounds on every page. You get a tactile sense of how it must have felt for new generations of Italians, Jews, and other immigrants of yesteryear to land in New York City, forging their way for a more hopeful future.
— Selina Alko, Award-winning author and illustrator of B is for Brooklyn.
Sounds of America is a celebration of the classic immigrant experience through the eyes of a small boy discovering his new home. A delightfully heartwarming story for families to enjoy together.
— Dan Yaccarino, Award-winning Author and Illustrator of All the Way to America
My grandparents came from Italy. They arrived in this country with nothing but their courage, their pride, and their love of family — and they built something extraordinary. Sounds of America tells that story in a way that made my heart full. Every child should read this book.
— Joseph D. Pistone, best-selling author
Jennifer Payne has captured something every Italian American understands—the sounds, the smells, the traditions, and, most importantly, the hope that drew generations of immigrant families to America's shores. Sounds of America is a heartfelt celebration of New York, family, and the promise of the American Dream that deserves a place on every child's bookshelf.
—Carlo DeVito, author of Scooter: The Biography of Phil Rizzuto and Yogi: The Life and Times of an American Original
Can you hear all of the sounds of America, too?
When Paulie’s boat from Italy finally reaches the coast of New York City, all of the special sounds of America come rushing into his ears!
On his way to his papà and nonno’s restaurant, Paulie’s ears continue to fill with the joyful noise of the city and its people. As Paulie makes friends and finds his place in his new home, the sounds around him grow richer—each one telling a story of family, community, perseverance, and freedom.
Before long, Paulie will add his own sounds to the chorus of America as he begins to shape the story of his future.
