Priceless Gifts: A Tale from Italy

by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss

Book Overview

Storytellers Hamilton and Weiss invoke the exotic days of the spice trade in their retelling of a traditional Italian folktale. -Kirkus Review

There is an old saying that good things come in small packages. In the days of the spice trade, this was certainly true, as merchants left Europe in pursuit of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, which were so rare at home that only the wealthiest could afford them. When Antonio, an Italian merchant,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087483788X
• ISBN13: 9780874837889
• Release Date: December 2006
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children

Many years ago, an Italian merchant named Antonio set sail for the Spice Islands (which today are part of Indonesia) with the intent of exchanging some fine Italian wares for a variety of highly-prized exotic spices. While engaged in his trades for cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, he received an invitation on one of the islands to dine with the King. Unfortunately the island's infestation of rats halted the evening's pleasantries until Antonio presented the King with two of the ship's cats. Delighted with this solution to the island's rodent problem, the King rewarded Antonio with a chest filled with precious gemstones. Upon hearing about this incredible payment for two cats, a rival Italian merchant thought he could gain even more jewels by giving the King some true Italian treasures, but he learned the hard way what the King valued. This amusing adaptation of a cherished folktale serves as a useful vehicle for teaching children a standard lesson in economics about the gains from trade. Antonio got spices, which were much sought-after in Europe, in exchange for Italian goods, which the Islanders did not produce themselves. The second trade made both parties even happier, with Antonio gaining a chest full of jewels and the King securing an end to the rat problem. Priceless Gifts offers a clever mix of economics, history, and story-telling in a cheerfully-illustrated package.

This book IS a priceless gift!

Experience shows--the authors of this traditional folk tale from Italy have clearly honed it through repeated oral tellings. The story flows smoothly and concisely, with a clever twist at the end. Lush illustrations complement a text perfect for beginning storytellers to learn and tell, but for those preferring to read the story aloud, the font is even big enough to read to a group of children without your glasses!

Award-winning collaborative writers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss present Priceless Gifts

Award-winning collaborative writers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss present Priceless Gifts, a picturebook set back in the centuries when merchants sailed the seas in pursuit of spices and seasonings, which were so rare that only the wealthiest could afford them. When Italian merchant Antonio sails to the Spice Islands, he meets a king plagued with rodents. Fortunately, Antonio has just the right remedy aboard his ship - a pair of cats! Richly repaid for his gift, Antonio retells his incredulous story, incurring the jealousy of rival merchant Luigi. "'The king of that island gave Antonio all those rare jewels and stones for two worthless cats,' Luigi said to himself. 'Why, the poorest peasant could have given him that gift. Imagine what the king would give me if I brought him something of real value.'" But when Luigi returns to the Spice Islands with riches of every conceivable sort, he fails to keep in mind what is not valuable to him is valuable beyond compare to others! Sweeping color illustrations embellish this story that young cat lovers especially will find delightful.