Papa Piccolo

We read Papa Piccolo as our FIAR book this week. It was written by Carol Talley, and illustrated by Itoko Maeno. Inside the cover of this book, there are great descriptions of the Italian images. The maps, the images, and the Italian words and phrases really capture the reader. And considering how important kitties are to my kids, this book was really enjoyable to explore.

Inside the front flap of the book:

The lion is the emblem of Venice, but the common cat rules its narrow streets and alleyways. A prince among these feline rulers is Piccolo, and what a fine life he leads! Especially after dark -when the streets are full of possibilities!

Then, one night, piccolo makes a discovery that threatens his carefree life and his independence and starts him on a new and special kind of adventure.

In these pages, you will also meet Caesar -Piccolo's older and somewhat cynical friend, and Sophia -the shoe shop cat, to whom Piccolo turns for advice when his life takes its unexpected turn. And you will meet two irresistible kittens -one spotted and one striped- who need a home and who help Piccolo discover his own tender heart.

Illustrator Itoko Maeno, who first visited Venice in 1977, returned to that city -which many call the most beautiful in the world- to capture its watery magic for this story. Her enchanting renderings of the canals, markets, crooked byways, boats, and bridges of Venice and her wise and witty portraits of its two and four-legged citizens will delight children and adults alike.

At a time when we are recognizing the need for boys as well as girls to develop nurturing skills, Piccolo appears as a welcome model for all children.

As a mama to 2 boys, I had to include that description. This role of Papa Piccolo in this book was a great example to my children. We played with our kitties lots this week. And we had spaghetti for dinner. Our favorite pizza comes from a family owned restaurant where I grew up. Now, the kids understand what gondolas are. If you're in La Mirada, make it a point to stop by Gondola's Pizza.

I just happened to get a thank you card in the mail with this image. I wish I was crazy enough to take my kids to Long Beach to see the canals and gondolas there.

We used watercolors. These are 30x40 Strathmore Paper with Nicholson's Peerless Transparent Water Colors.