Renato and the Lion

(Hardback)

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Description

Combining real history and a bit of magic, Renato and the Lion introduces children in the gentlest way possible to WWII, the protection of priceless artwork, and how one boy immigrates with his family from Italy to America. Renato is a young boy living in Florence, Italy, during the Second World War. He loves his home, his family and friends, and the wonderful artwork that Florence is famous for. He especially loves a sculpture of a lion in the Piazza della Signoria. But while the fighting of the war is far away, soldiers are everywhere. Renato's father fears for the safety of the priceless artwork, but he fears even more for his family. One evening, Renato finds his father building a stone wall around a famous statue to hide it from the soldiers who might hurt it. And that's when Renato realizes that his wonderful lion is even more exposed to danger. He needs to find a way to protect him, too, but time is running out before Renato's family must leave to protect themselves!

Reviews

Praise for Renato and the Lion:

* This love letter to Florence should spur diverse conversations, from art to history to the plight of refugees.Booklist, starred review

Driven by the notion of safeguarding art during military conflict, this debut portrays a wartime reality that is not commonly addressed. A special book and additional purchase that is best-shared one-on-one.School Library Journal

DiLorenzo's often lovely watercolors are best when capturing nature. The endpapers' sun-washed Florence and Renato's dream-ride over the moonlit Ponte Vecchio are lovely...DiLorenzo's careful research yields a touching tale about art's ability to deeply affect both adults and children.Kirkus Reviews

Barbara DiLorenzos tale was inspired by a true story and shows how a childs connection to art lasts a lifetime.St. Louis Post-Dispatch

DiLorenzo lavishes attention on Florences architectural treasures, and her buildings glow with warmthDiLorenzos story is simultaneously a historical account of a familys emigration and a dream story about the power of great art.Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Barbara Dilorenzo studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design and painting at the Art Students League of New York. In 2014 she received the Dorothy Markinko Scholarship Award from the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature. A lover of adventure, she has gone skydiving, hang gliding, whitewater rafting, and she loves to surf. She now helps to run an Italian restaurant with her chef husband and lives in central New Jersey with him and their young teenage son. Renato and the Lion is her debut picture book. Barbara lives in Central New Jersey.