The Wonders of Florence

The first pop-up book on Florence. Dario Cestaro’s spectacular drawings and paper architecture reveal Florence and its treasures in a pop-up book telling the city’s history with straightforward texts and interesting facts. This fascinating journey in colored pages shaped into Florence’s most celebrated landmarks will help even younger children to recognize the main buildings: the cathedral with its famous ogival dome; the Palazzo Vecchio with its great tower and crenellated walls; the Palazzo Pitti, once the Medicis’ majestic ducal residence; the Ponte Vecchio, the iconic bridge over the Arno with its historic craft shops; the Church of Santa Croce, which contains tombs and monuments to many illustrious persons (Dante, Michelangelo, Galileo).

Dario Cestaro is a paper engineer and writer of children’s books. He has specialized in pop-up books, creating the concept, story, and illustrations as well as handling the technical aspects. His preferred media are watercolor, collage, and computer graphics. He has also had considerable experience as a stage designer. Franca Lugato has spent years promoting Venice’s artistic historic heritage, working with various museums and cultural institutes. In 1996, with Alessandra Bassotto, she founded the ARTEmisia group, which develops innovative approaches to museum didactics.