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BOOK REVIEW: C is for Ciao: An Italy Alphabet Written by Elissa D. Grodin and Mario Cuomo Illustrated by Marco Ventura Sleeping Bear Press, 2009. 40 pp. C is for Ciao: An Italy Alphabet is a picture book for children ages 6-10 that introduces young readers to the culture of Italy. Written by Elissa D. Grodin and Mario Cuomo, the former governor of New York, the book provides brief descriptions of different aspects of Italian culture. Mario Cuomo's short but excellent introduction provides an excellent context for the book, reminding us that America is a land of immigrant cultures, which have all made unique contributions to our society. He compares the Untied States to "a mosaic, like those in many church windows, each a different size, shape, and color, harmoniously arranged to form beautiful patterns." Governor Cuomo suggests that we have much to learn from the various immigrant cultures of America and that we should not attempt to homogenize our society into a "a bland uniformity." He goes on to write, "Imagine how great a loss it would be if we erased from our culture the reflections of architecture and skill that built the aqueducts, the paintings and brilliance of Da Vinci and Michelangelo, the operas, the science, the literature, the fashion, the cuisine" of Italy that have influenced our American culture and society. C is for Ciao teaches young children about the magnificent contributions Italian culture has made to the United States and the world. Through out the book, young readers will discover much about Italy. They will learn that Italy has contributed to the worlds of art, science, literature, and architecture. However, they will also learn about more domestic aspects of Italian life, such as life in the kitchen and Italian cuisine. Readers will learn that "A is for the Aqueducts that had to be quite strong, built to last with bricks and stone to carry fresh water along," and they will also learn that "K is for kitchen where foods that we create bring us all together to enjoy and appreciate." Each page also contains sidebars, which further elaborate on the topic. Children will learn that "Q is for Quarttrocento when painting and sculpture flourished . . .Quattrocentro is Italian for 400, and is used to indicate the 1400s - the period of the Renaissance." They will also learn that "Z is for Zabaglione, a delightful Italian treat. Made with sugar and eggs, cooked 'til it's ready to eat." Marco Ventura complements the book's written content with illustrations that young readers will find both interesting and engaging. I think children will be able to relate to the realistic way he renders the various topics in the book, especially his depictions of families. C is for Ciao is part of the Sleeping Bear Press series that introduces children to various cultures. Among its many titles are A is for America, S is for Shamrock, P is for Pinanta, and B is for Big Ben. For those who want to educate their children or grandchildren about Italian culture, C is for Ciao is an excellent place to start with its delightful descriptions of Italian culture and its vivid illustrations of the people and places of Italy. Italian Catholic Federation, 8393 Capwell Drive, Suite 110, Oakland CA 94621 tel: 888/ICF-1924; 510/633-9058; fax: 510/633-9758; Email: info@icf.org Website designed by HYPERSPHERE