“Little Giovanni was poor and homeless, but he could do something wonderful. He could juggle - and the people of Sorrento marveled at his talents. One day he joined a group of traveling players, and it was no long before he was famous throughout Italy as the little juggler with the face f a clown whose flying sticks, plates, clubs, torches, and rainbow of colored ball delighted kings and townspeople alike. Wherever he went, the crowds would clap and cheer, especially for the shining golden ball he called the Sun in the Heavens.
But the years passed and Giovanni grew old. His talents began to fail him, as did his many admirers. Leaving a village one day, with jeers and insults still ringing in his ears, he stopped beside a stream, washed away the face of the clown, carefully packed his sticks, plates, clubs, and colored balls - and gave up juggling forever. Returning to Sorrento, he slept in doorways and begged his food, as he had done as a child. One Christmas Eve, he took refuge in a church and watched in awe the procession of gifts for the Holy Child. When the beautiful music ended and the church became empty, old Giovanni hesitantly approached the statue of the Madonna and her Child to offer the only gift he had. The miracle that occurred will deeply touch the readers of this ancient legend, stunningly recast in words and pictures by Caldecott Honor Book artist Tomie dePaola. It is a masterpiece of artistry.”
Hardcover with dust jacket. School stamp inside, otherwise like new
“Little Giovanni was poor and homeless, but he could do something wonderful. He could juggle - and the people of Sorrento marveled at his talents. One day he joined a group of traveling players, and it was no long before he was famous throughout Italy as the little juggler with the face f a clown whose flying sticks, plates, clubs, torches, and rainbow of colored ball delighted kings and townspeople alike. Wherever he went, the crowds would clap and cheer, especially for the shining golden ball he called the Sun in the Heavens.
But the years passed and Giovanni grew old. His talents began to fail him, as did his many admirers. Leaving a village one day, with jeers and insults still ringing in his ears, he stopped beside a stream, washed away the face of the clown, carefully packed his sticks, plates, clubs, and colored balls - and gave up juggling forever. Returning to Sorrento, he slept in doorways and begged his food, as he had done as a child. One Christmas Eve, he took refuge in a church and watched in awe the procession of gifts for the Holy Child. When the beautiful music ended and the church became empty, old Giovanni hesitantly approached the statue of the Madonna and her Child to offer the only gift he had. The miracle that occurred will deeply touch the readers of this ancient legend, stunningly recast in words and pictures by Caldecott Honor Book artist Tomie dePaola. It is a masterpiece of artistry.”
Hardcover with dust jacket. School stamp inside, otherwise like new
