Berlitz Kids Italian Language Pack  •  Berlitz Multimedia LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2003 •  PAPER • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) This Italian language set, all packed in a red-handled box, includes a 64-page storybook, flashcards, a 200-word picture dictionary, audio CD, parent's guide and certificate. For kids ages 4 to 8. (ITL270, $26.95)
Daughter of Venice  •  Donna Jo Napoli LITERATURE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 274 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS A young adult novel about a high-spirited, determined teenage girl in 16th-century Venice. Prevented by Venetian custom from walking about her own native city, Donata dresses herself as a boy and sets out to see the sights. Lots of period detail. Geared for ages 9-12. (ITL343, $6.50)
The Diary of Melanie Martin: Or How I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo, and the Leaning Tower of Pizza  •  Carol Weston LITERATURE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 144 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) Ten-year-old Melanie tells all about her family's summer trip to Italy, writing it all down in her dear diary, A hit on the middle-school market, it packs in a lot of cultural information while being very of-the-moment. Ages 8-10. (ITL438, $5.50)
Italy, the People  •  Greg Nickles CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2001 •  PAPER  • 32 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A vibrant and informative cultural portrait of the Italian people, both northern and southern, well illustrated with color photographs and filled with interesting facts and information. A wonderful introduction to the country for middle schoolers and the entire family. (ITL335, $7.95)
Kids Italian Picture Dictionary  •  Inc. Berlitz International LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS •  2004 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) 1,000 words central to a child's everyday life -- animals, flowers, people, colors, numbers and activities -- teach even the youngest readers Italian. Each word is illustrated and accompanied by a phonetic transcription and phrase. (ITL449, $12.95)
Leonardo's Horse  •  Hudson Talbott  •  Jean Fritz BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 40 PAGES • FAMILY Crackerjack children's writer Jean Fritz here presents an intriguing dual biography: first, of Leonardo da Vinci, who labored for years on a giant bronze sculpture of a horse, never finished; and secondly, of Charlie Dent, an American who in 1977 vowed to complete what Leonardo began. Dent, too, died without seeing the horse finished, but his wishes were honored and the giant horse became a gift to Italy from the United States. Today it's on display in Milan. The book is illustrated, handsome and appropriate for a wide range of readers, from 7-year-olds to adults. (ITL344, $18.99)
Starry Messenger, Galileo Galilei  •  Peter Sis BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2000 •  PAPER  • 40 PAGES • YOUNG READERS (Age 4-8) A beautifully illustrated homage to Galileo for children ages 6 to 8. In simple prose, Sis chronicles Galileo's life and evokes the Renaissance world. It's a memorable introduction to science and Italy for young readers. A Cadecott Honor Book and winner of the Scientific American Young Readers Book Award. (ITL331, $6.95)