The Thread of Life: Twelve Old Italian Tales

. Running Press Kids, $15.95 (80pp) ISBN 978-0-7624-1669-1

Beautifully illustrated with new artwork by Mary GrandPr , artist for the Harry Potter series, The Thread of Life: Twelve Old Italian Tales retold by Domenico Vittorini eloquently captures stories of humor, adventure and romance, often with surprise endings. From the foolish adventurer who exchanges his riches for a pair of kittens to an Italian spin on Cinderella, ""Cenerentola,"" this collection was first published in 1958 as Old Italian Tales.

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