Priceless Gifts: A Tale from Italy

by Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss, John Kanzler (Illustrator)

Overview

Storytellers Hamilton and Weiss invoke the exotic days of the spice trade in their retelling of a traditional Italian folktale. -Kirkus ReviewThere is an old saying that good things come in small packages. In the days of the spice trade, this was certainly true, as merchants left Europe in pursuit of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which were so rare at home that only the wealthiest could afford them. When Antonio, an Italian merchant, sets sail from Genoa to trade for spices, he discovers by accident that he harbors a treasure equally rare in the Spice Islands, where the king is looking for a solution to his rodent problem. The ensuing events prove that one man's surplus is another man's treasure. John Kanzler's luminous illustrations evoke the Old World setting of this traditional story and the rich backdrop of he spice trade. Sometimes the best gifts come in the smallest packages. This Italian folktales about generosity will teach readers the importance of citizenship, fairness and respect.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780874837889
Publisher:	August House Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	12/28/2006
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.73(w) x 11.42(h) x 0.54(d)
Lexile:	AD750L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss Bio: Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss are a husband-and-wife writing and storytelling team known as "Beauty and the Beast Storytellers." They have traveled the world sharing their passion for the oral tradition and the art of telling great stories. They have co-authored thirteen books and two audio recordings with August House. A number of their books have won prestigious awards including the Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature (awarded by Bank Street College of Education), Parents' Choice Award, National Parenting Publications Awards, and Storytelling World Award. Mitch and Martha's story collections include world tales that they tell in a conversational manner so that children can easily comprehend and then share the stories by telling them to other students. Parents and teachers can find a wealth of information on how to get children excited about reading, telling world tales, and making up their own stories at Mitch and Martha's website.
John Kanzler Bio: John Kanzler grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut in a house formerly belonging to William Steig’s and he currently lives on a small farm in Greenfield, Massachusetts with his wife Diane and his daughter Lorelei. They have several sheep and a llama or two. He has been drawing on things as far back as he can remember and is a completely self-taught artist. When he is not pursuing his art or spending time with his family on their farm, he generally pursues a crazy, eclectic range of interests, from astronomy to paleontology.

Editorial Reviews

Husband and wife storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss bring to life an Italian folktale set during the glory days of Italy's monopoly of the Spice Islands. The hero of the story, Antonio, leaves Genoa with a ship filled with goods to trade for valuable spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which could be found only on these islands so far from Europe. When Antonio sits down to eat with a king, he is dismayed to see rats run in to share the feast. "Don't you have any cats on this island?" he asks, but the king has never heard of such an animal. Fortunately, Antonio has several cats on his ship and gives a tabby and a tomcat to the grateful king. In appreciation, the king presents Antonio with a jewel-filled chest. When Antonio returns to Genoa, a rival merchant named Luigi, filled with jealousy, determines to return to the island and shower the king with gifts in hopes of receiving greater treasure in return. The king does share his most precious possession with Luigi—but it is not exactly what the greedy merchant was expecting. Rich, jewel-toned illustrations laced with humor make this engaging tale a perfect introduction to studies of explorers and the spice trade, and will provoke lively discussions about gifts, especially the kind that money can't buy.

Children's Literature - Keri Collins

Storytellers Hamilton and Weiss invoke the exotic days of the spice trade in their retelling of a traditional Italian folktale. Antonio, a Genoese spice merchant, sails forth to faraway islands seeking to ply his trade, exchanging goods for spices. Entertained by residing royalty on an island he is doing business with, Antonio discovers they are plagued by rodents. The kindhearted trader offers the king a pair of felines to rid him of his pesky problem, and the grateful monarch showers the tradesman with jewels in thanks. When a greed-driven coworker of Antonio's arrives at the same island laden with valuable gifts, he anticipates a wealthy reward. However, Luigi is soon surprised to discover the King's definition of a priceless gift. Kanzler's sumptuous artwork deftly conveys the grandiose tenor of this folktale. Regal red hues and other deep jewel tones dominate the illustrations, while visible brush strokes create the crackled effect of an aged painting, furthering the antique feeling of the text. Readers will enjoy discovering this gem of a folktale from long ago. An author's note regarding spice trade and related titles is included. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews