Days Of The Blackbird

Gemma, a young girl living in the mountains of northern Italy, asks the blackbirds to sing to her ailing father, Duca Gennaro, and only one blackbird decides to remain when the weather becomes cooler. The story of the origins of the Days of the Blackbird.

Papa Gatto: An Italian Fairy Tale

The feline advisor to the prince, Papa Gatto, learns not to judge by appearances when he hires the beautiful but neglectful Sophia to take care of his kittens. Sophia’s plain but loving stepsister Beatrice proves herself a more worthy caretaker.

Iron Hans

The classic Brothers Grimm folktale of a king, his son, Iron Hans, and a spell is enriched by impressive illustrations of exotic creatures in exquisite settings.

Amzat & His Brothers

amzatThe tales–the title story, “Mezgalten,” and “Olimpia, Cucol, and the Door”–come from the Tuscan village of Pianoro Vecchio and were told to the author by a friend. In all three tales, misfortune is reversed, cleverness rewarded–and storytelling language relished. Two-color illustrations.

Count Silvernose

The two younger daughters of an old washerwoman are lovely, foolish, and useless, while the oldest is homely, clever, and strong. When the two younger sisters disappear and are reported dead, Assunta resolves to discover the truth and rescue her sisters.

Grandfather’s Rock

It’s a sad day when father decides the family can no longer care for Grandfather and he has to be taken to the home for old people on the other side of the hill. His four grandchildren are determined to keep their grandfather out of the home for old people, and it is up to the oldest, Prima, to convince Father, in a story based on a traditional Italian folktale.