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C is for Ciao: An Italy Alphabet

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From its unparalleled achievements in art and architecture (the Sistine Chapel), science and exploration (Galileo Galilei), music and literature (Stradivarius and Dante), the country of Italy has had a lasting and profound impact on the world. In C is for An Italy Alphabet, young readers are invited to explore Italy's rich history, diverse geography, and many traditions. Sumptuous artwork magnifies each letter topic's poem expository text. R is for the city, Rome, whose beauty will astound you. Modern life is bustling while antiquities surround you. Renowned Italians such as Augustus Caesar (first Roman emperor), Amerigo Vespucci (Florentine explorer), and Leonardo da Vinci (Renaissance artist and scientist) come to life alongside stunning monuments, breathtaking scenery, and history-in-the-making moments that have shaped and the world at large. Governor Mario Cuomo adds a personal message reflecting on his Italian heritage.To find recipes, games, interactives maps and much more for this title visit www.discovertheworldbooks.com! Elissa D. Grodin's Sleeping Bear Press books include D is for A Citizen's Alphabet and the recent retelling of Oscar Wilde's classic story The Happy Prince. She lives in Wilton, Connecticut. The son of Italian immigrants, Mario Cuomo has spent many years in the public service sector, serving as New York's Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor. Today he practices law in New York. Marco Ventura's work has been featured in many publications and his clients include Chronicle Books, The Atlantic Monthly, and the New York Times Book Review. His 2003 picture book, The Amazing Air Balloon, was a Junior Library Guild selection. He has twice won the Society of Illustrators Silver Medal award. He lives in Milan, Italy.

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 6, 2008

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About the author

Elissa D. Grodin

9 books34 followers
Elissa D. Grodin is a physics buff who writes mysteries featuring Edwina Goodman, an assistant professor and theoretical physicist at an Ivy League college in New England. Edwina, who often kayaks on the river in order to do some of her best thinking, is self-effacing, indefatigably curious, and brilliant. Her boyfriend, Will Tenney, is a police detective in their little college town of New Guilford. With her uncanny ability to analyze cause and effect, Edwina occasionally proves herself to be of invaluable assistance to police investigations. Her mathematical way of seeing the world allows her unusual insights into the most baffling cases.

Elissa Grodin lives in Connecticut and New York City.

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Brianna Jones.
50 reviews
March 20, 2009
Genre: A non-fiction alphabet picture book

Reading Level: Fluent ages 5-10

Topics and Themes: This book uses the alphabet to explore Italy's culture and history. The author finds architecture, art, and cities to discuss.

Curricular Use: Non-fiction read aloud

Social: This is a great book for introducing children to a foreign culture. The book describes many aspects of the Italian culture and students should be able to relate to at least one element in the book. It will be especialy useful in a multicultural classroom environment.

Literary Element: Poetry is used to describe an element of the Italian culture that relates to every letter of the alphabet. Each poem uses rhyme to talk about the culture.

Text and Illustrations: The illustrations go along beautifully with the text. The illustrations allow the reader to see the piece of Italian culture that the text describes. Along with the poems, there is also a portion of text to describe the theme used for each letter of the alphabet.
Profile Image for Keri-Lynn.
312 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2011
Another hit from Sleeping Bear Press. I am continually amazed by how well they put the text and illustrations together. The illustrations for this book have the feel of Renaissance art, very appropriate for the topic.
16 reviews
October 7, 2011
I like it because it is very colorful. And interesting too.Did you know that the city of Rome has beauty that is making lots of people come to visit? You will learn about Rome and much more in this book.
64 reviews
May 6, 2020
I would love to bring this book in during culture week! I think it would be so much fun to learn about Italy and its geography, history and even the language! There is so much rich information that students can learn in this book!
Profile Image for Helen.
3,602 reviews86 followers
February 6, 2021
This is a great introduction to Italy, for people of all ages! It has nice pictures, good little poems for preschoolers, and lots of information for older readers!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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