Elisa Sabatinelli was born in Fano, Italy, and grew up in Barcelona, Spain. She has published short stories and a novel for adults. The Secret of the Magic Pearl is her first book for children. Ms. Sabatinelli lives in Milan with her husband and two children. To learn more, visit her on Facebook at @elisa.sabatinelli Iacopo Bruno has illustrated hundreds of book covers and has received recognition from the Society of Illustrators in New York, the Cook Prize, and his book, Sergeant Reckless, written by Patricia McCormick, won the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the California Young Reader Medal 2021. Other books illustrated by Iacopo Bruno include Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France by Mara Rockliff; and Bartali's Bicycle: The True Story of Gino Bartali, Italy's Secret Hero by Megan Hoyt. When he is not drawing, he takes his boat in search of dolphins and, if the weather is bad, restores paintings and antique furniture in his cellar full of tools and curiosities. Learn more at his website: http://iacopobruno.blogspot.com/ and www.theworldofdot.com/ Christopher Turner is an Italian to English translator, editor and professional writer. He has translated many children's books into English in his 30-year career including the popular Geronimo Stilton books. He lives in Wimbledon, London. Learn more at: https://www.chris-turner.net/
Beautiful, remarkable, amazing, and wonderful in every way. -- Starred Review, Kirkus Sabatinelli provides Hector with a voice that soars with lilting, expressive language, losing nothing in Turner's translation from Italian. Bruno's intensely bright, sharply hued illustrations are a tour de force - Starred Review, Kirkus Looking for a mysterious, fascinating, frightening, wonderful, perfectly illustrated tale from the depths of the sea? You are in luck. The Magic Pearl is calling you. - Jon Scieszka, First National Ambassador of Youth People's Literature A magical story book tale with heart and soul. Each radiant page turns like a wave reaching the shore to reveal its truth and beauty-and even a pearl of humanity. - Jack Gantos, Newbery Medal Winner Beautifully illustrated with magical pictures by Iacopo Bruno, this Italian fantasy by Elisa Sabatinelli takes us to a village out of time with a boy who loves the ocean and dreams of diving like his father and grandfather before him. Keep an eye out for this book and the other titles from Red Comet! Bravo! - Brian Selznick, Caldecott Medal Winner After reading The Secret of the Magic Pearl, I want to move straight to the tiny Italian fishing village where its hero Hector lives, and become a deep sea diver like him. It's a charming book, spiked with excitement and mystery, paced for extended sitting, and generously illuminated with lush and lively illustrations. - Paul O. Zelinsky, Caldecott Medal Winner Definitely a book to spend time with, not just reading but thoroughly combing through the illustrations, relishing all the details from beginning to end. . . The Secret of the Magic Pearl is a chapter book that combines past and present in a magical story. It will enchant readers in the same way that stories by Kate DiCamillo do. - Randomly Reading Blog