Those who travel through Italy with Anno will discover countless delights of art, architecture, and literature. Every lavish spread is a scene filled with wonder and imagination.

A bit of what's inside: An homage to the Biblical story of Christ is seen through the works of Renaissance masters like Fra Angelico, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. Michelangelo's David and Pieta are depicted in teeming scenes with Charlie Chaplin, Sophia Loren, and James Dean. All this is set against the backdrop of some of the world's most magnificent architectural structures - Brunelleschi's Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, the Rialto Bridge, and the Trevi Fountain.

In addition to the beautiful scenes, the author has included notes in the back of the book that explain his journey and much of the detail in each scene, while still allowing the reader to discover things on their own. These notes draw out the various features of each scene which helps to teach the reader about Italian history and culture.

About the Author:

Mitsumasa Anno is the winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for his lasting contribution to children's literature, and is a lover of travel and culture. Anno's books, through their unique perspective and mischievous sense of humor, have opened to children across the world, cultures and lands distant from their own. Without words Anno conveys the beauty, humanity, and value of all people in all times and places. As he notes, "There are differences in people, different styles of housing, social differences, different cultures all over the world. But perhaps what lies at the bottom of the heart of each human being is the same, an inherent value."

Born in Tsuwano in 1926, in Western Japan, Mr. Anno studied both art and mathematics before teaching mathematics at a school in Tokyo for ten years. He has written and illustrated over 20 books for children. He makes his home in a suburb of Tokyo. He is married and has two children.