C Is for Ciao: An Italy Alphabet

Governor of New York Mario M. Cuomo adds a personal message to C is for Ciao: An Italy Alphabet, an ABC picturebook designed to introduce young people to the wonders and great figures of Italy. Each entry features beautiful, full-color art, a brief stanza that younger readers can follow fairly easily, and a sidebar consisting of multiple paragraphs of extensive text concerning the topic of discussion, more suited for adults to read aloud to young children. For example, the Z stanza is "Z is for Zabaglione, / a delightful Italian treat. / Made with sugar and eggs, / cooked 'til it's ready to eat." Meanwhile, the descriptive paragraphs include the passage "Dessert is perhaps the least important part of an Italian meal. It is common practice in many restaurants to offer nothing fancier than a savory piece of locally made cheese and some fresh fruit at the end of a meal. Traditionally, sweet desserts are associated with special occasions such as holidays and family celebrations". The combined whole is an excellent introduction to the richness of Italian history and culture.