Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

The stories of saints and sinners alike populate the pages of this unique book for children. Under the author's loving touch, these enchanting tales come alive with scenes of old Italy, from the poor but generous Saint Zita in her native Lucca to the captive Turkish Princess Stellante and her beloved Bartolo in prosperous Venice. Each of these widely varied characters must face their own struggle against the selfish desires of this world in order to achieve true happiness, both here and in the hereafter. The watercolors by Katharine Cameron add infinite charm, and new illustrations enhance the captivating history of these legends and stories.

The acclaimed illustrator of the Harry Potter series brings her expressive, unmistakable style to this charming collection of classic Italian fairy tales. A dozen traditional children's stories handed down through the generations in Italy (including a delightful twist on the familiar legend of Cinderella) are accompanied with Mary GrandPré's vivid, evocative artwork, which has been hailed worldwide and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Folk and fairy tales from other countries provide a great way for children to learn about different cultures, and this enchanting volume is sure to become a family favorite.

In this beloved classic picture book, Tomie dePaola retells and illustrates an Italian Christmas folk tale, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely Old Befana and her endless search for the Christ Child. Every morning and every afternoon, Old Befana sweeps with her broom. “Cranky old lady,” the children say. “She is always sweeping!” Sweep, sweep, sweep. But when a brilliant star glows in the eastern sky one night, and Old Befana encounters the glorious procession of three kings on their way to Bethlehem, her world will never be the same.

May and Molly are the Sunbonnet babies. In 1922, their father and mother have taken them on a holiday to Italy on board a passenger liner (transatlantic passenger air travel only began six years later on 11 October 1928 by the Graf Zepplin.) The story of their visit is told from a child’s perspective. Their first port of call is Naples where their first sight is Mt Vesuvius. On their way to visit the buried city of Pompeii they first call in at a museum to learn more about Pompeii and the famous explosion of 24 August 79AD. Their hotel room overlooks the port of Naples, one if the busiest ports on the Mediterranean Sea. Looking out over the harbour and all it’s ships, the girls wonder if any are pirate ships? Later they visit “the Humpbacked Island,” really the Isle of Capri, where they explore the island and a sea cave. Their next port of call is the City of Rome and all its sights where they learn the story of the city’s founding twins, Romulus and Remus and how Rome came to be. Then they then travel North where they learn about rural Italian life before visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They travel on to Venice, which they call “The City in the Sea.” Their father takes them around the city sights and they have a strawberry ice-cream on the Piazza of St. Mark and visit the Ponte Vecchio where they do some shopping. They are fortunate enough to be invited to visit a Gondolier's Home. They pay a flying visit to the tall bell tower called the "Lily in Stone," and a cathedral in Florence before returning home. So, we invite you to curl up with this unique sliver of children’s literature not seen in print for many a year; and immerse yourself, and your children, in tales written for a far more gentler time. 10% of the net sale will be donated to charities by the publisher. ---------------------------- KEYWORDS/TAGS: fairy tales, folklore, myths, legends, children’s stories, children’s stories, bygone era, fairydom, fairy land, classic stories, children’s bedtime stories, happy place, happiness, Sun-Man's Babies, Arrival, steamer, passenger liner, Naples, Drive, Strange Sights, Visit, Museum, Afternoon in the Park, Buried City, Pompeii, Pirates, Humpbacked Island, Capri, City, Rome, Twins, Romulus, Remus, Travel Adventures, City in the Sea, Venice, Gondolier, Home, House, May, Molly, Sunbonnet babies, Italy