“Ti presento Siena”: an illustrated story to tell the little ones the history of the city
Friday 9 December, from 4.30 pm, the Limonaia del Giardino Segreto of the Court of Siena (entrance from via del Romitorio, 4) will host the first presentation of the book Ti presento Siena (Pacini Editore), narrated by the authors Maura Martellucci and Simona Merlo, while the illustrator Sara Franci will entertain the children with a creative drawing workshop, starting from the illustrations that enrich the text that tells the millenary history of the city in an amusing, but also rigorous from a scientific point of view.
The event, organized in collaboration with Area Verde Camollia 85 and with the Mondadori Siena bookshop, provides free admission.
Ti presento Siena is the second issue of the Piccola Narrativa series by Pacini Editore which has opened a new series of volumes dedicated to telling children the story of the most beautiful Italian cities. The first volume is dedicated to Florence, written by Annalisa Innocenti and also illustrated by Sara Franci.
Francesca Pacini, editorial director of Pacini tells how the idea of the series was born: «Our series of “Illustrated Stories” has always been a great success, we thought it was an excellent idea to “illustrate” them also thinking of the most children, and so we decided to open a new series on which we are betting a lot, certain that it will be just as important».
The book, which can also be enjoyed by older readers, is the result of a work of great synergy between the authors, the editors of the publishing house and the illustrator who have “built”, it is appropriate to use this term, the book “piece by piece”, working with great harmony, giving the utmost attention to each detail, both linked to the text and the images and also to the graphics, the paper and the format of the book, which is easy to handle but which enhances the illustrations.
The book
How do you tell a magical city where time dilates to such an extent that it seems ‘eternal’ and the buildings and streets narrate memories so ancient that they have become legends?
Ti presento Siena is a unique journey between ‘true’ history and mythical tales, made in the company of three fantastic guides – the Singing Whale, the Lupa della Stella and the Barbero Chronicler – who, alternating in the stories, will show you the beauties of their city .
The adventures told by the three protagonists began millennia ago, when in Siena there was the sea (incredible, right?), cars didn’t even exist in the minds of mad scientists and cats voted in Parliament (in theirs to be precise) deciding the fate of the city.
To discover the many secrets of Siena, follow all the clues, even the smallest ones, hidden in the chapters of the book and calmly and ‘cunningly’ observe the illustrations, precious and beautiful drawings that will guide your imagination and your desire to discover the world in the streets of the city of the Palio.
The Authoresses
Maura Martellucci was born on December 19, 1968. She has a degree in medieval history and is a journalist. She has been a historical consultant in various research sites and has edited various publications dealing with the historical events of Siena and its territory. In particular, you have studied the ancient hospital of Santa Maria della Scala and its development over the centuries. Aimed at younger readers, you wrote A majestic painting. Children discovering the Majesty of Duccio di Buoninsegna, with Enrico Grassini for Betti Editrice (Siena, 2021). Ah, Maura Martellucci is from the Nobile Contrada del Nicchio.
Simona Merlo born in Palermo on 19 October 1977, graduated in Communication Sciences in 2003, journalist since 2008, has a great passion: writing. From 2014 to today, you have published two collections of short stories Short Stories and Merlo’s Place, a collection of poems A 21 I stop, a noir novel Sessantuno Chiodi. Mystery and death in Tuscany, a complete QR Code guide Through Siena – Interactive emotions. With Marco Rossato you wrote Cambio Rotta. Muttley and I 1,648 miles down the coast looking for barrier-free ports. For the Cna Pensionati of Siena you have created the book Grandparents without hugs. Retirees talk about Covid. With the journalist Elena Casi you published The cure at the time of Covid. Caregivers and people with disabilities tell each other.
The illustrator
Sarah Francis was born in Florence where she lives and works as an illustrator and author. Her motto is “we are made of stories and magic” and she believes that she has always learned to live through stories. Her work is aimed mainly at children and teenagers even if she loves the idea that her art is for everyone. She gives life and participates in workshops and presentations in collaboration with schools and libraries and collaborates with the Meyer hospital for which she created a work in 2022. She wrote and illustrated Your dreams are stars (2020) and Piccolo Buio (2018). You illustrated Ettore and the vegotauro’s labyrinth (2021), Fairy tales (2021), Sandrino and the three little gnomes (2020), Don’t you know who Petronia is? (2020) and I present to you Florence (2022).