Why our children’s books are in English and Italian
16 books, 11 coloring pages, two languages. The story of how Italy became closer to children around the world – and to one special boy named Lorenzo.
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When I first started writing children’s books about Italy, I was asked, “What language should I read them in?” I couldn’t choose. Because both English and Italian are in my life. And in the lives of children I know, too.
🇬🇧 English – the language of opportunity
It’s spoken in airports, in cartoons, on the internet. It’s a language that opens doors. When a child reads a story in English, they don’t learn rules – they travel. They worry, laugh, and fear for the characters. And the words stick in their memory.
🇮🇹 Italian – the language of the heart
Italian is used for singing songs, arguing over tomatoes at the market, and declaring love. I live in Italy, and it’s important to me that children (even those far away) hear this language for what it really is: musical, warm, slightly funny, and very alive.
A story per due mondi
Our children’s books are published separately in English and Italian. This isn’t a translation squeezed onto a page. These are two versions of the same soul. You can choose the one that suits you best. Or take both, if your family is bilingual.
Here’s what awaits you on these pages:
📘 English Books – 8 stories about Calabria, Sardinia, Emilia-Romagna, modern fairy tales, and an unusual Halloween in Italy.
Go to English books → (link to the English Books page)
📙 Italian Books – 8 stories for children, a special book for Lorenzo, from the Calabrian, Emilia-Romagna, and Sardinian lands.
Italian books → (link to the Italian Books page)
🎨 Coloring Books – 11 coloring books: for little ones, for parents, and for the whole family. Italian patterns, fairytale characters, and cozy landscapes.
View coloring books → (link to the Coloring Books page)
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A special book for Lorenzo
I’d like to highlight one of the Italian books in particular. It’s called “Lorenzo’s Story: A Magical Journey into the World of Infancy, Fantasy, and the Potion of Gentiles.”
I wrote it for a boy who lives between two languages and two cultures. For all children who sometimes feel “not quite here, not quite there.” This book is about friendship, the courage to be yourself, and how a kind word is more powerful than any magic.
Read Lorenzo’s story →Due storie su Lorenzo: è un viaggio magico nel mondo dell’infanzia, della fantasia e del potere della gentilezza.
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Why do we need so many coloring books?
After the first fairy tales were published, children began sending drawings of the characters. And adults asked for “something calm, Italian, for the evening.” Thus, a collection of 11 coloring books was born:
· For the little ones – large pictures and familiar characters;
For parents – stress-relieving patterns, Mediterranean motifs, and mandalas;
For shared creativity – pages you can color together.
Coloring books are sold separately on Amazon. Choose your region or just your favorite story.
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So what’s the bottom line?
I’m not a linguist. I’m just someone who believes that language is learned not from dictionaries, but through stories. When a child is interested, they remember. When they love a character, they want to understand their words.
That’s why our books don’t have exercises. There are the sea, mountains, magical horseshoes, brave girls, Halloween monsters, and one boy named Lorenzo, who reminded me why it all matters.
Ready to travel to Italy through history? Choose your language and let’s go.
View all children’s books → (link to the main Italy for Kids page)
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Grazie e buona lettura!!
Iryna Sambor
Migliuso, Calabria
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