the ABC s of
FLORENCE written and illustrated by carmi cioni
this book belongs to:
i
the ABC s of
FLORENCE written and illustrated by carmi cioni
Copyright Š 2013 by Carmi Cioni All Rights Reserved
for my parents, Tom and Jayne Cioni thank you for absolutely everything.
A is for the architecture so grand that you will stop to marvel at the Duomo. Will you climb to the top?
B is for biscotti, a crunchy cookie treat. C is for coffee. It’s strong but not too sweet.
D is for the David. He guards Florence with his stare. E is for the easels that hold paintings everywhere.
Fis for the fashion that makes the city proud. Italian men and women are quite a stylish crowd.
G is for gelato, the ice cream you can’t refuse. So many tasty flavors —which one will you choose?
H is for Historic Football. It’s a Florentine tradition. Costumes, crowds, and soccer — such vigor and ambition!
I is for inspiring views no matter where you go
.
J is for the jewelry shops along the Ponte Vecchio.
K is for the kitchen. The cook’s stove is always hot. L is for laundry lines. What clothes can you spot?
M is for the mopeds that zip right through the town. Careful there! Watch your step! Those mopeds don’t slow down!
N is for Nutella, a nutty chocolate spread. It tastes good with everything, from strawberries to bread!
O is for orange soda. Sip it with your lunch.
P is for panini, a sandwich you can munch!
Q is for the quiet that comes with afternoon siesta. People nap and shops are closed. The city takes a rest-a.
R is for the River Arno that flows right through the city. Stop and take a picture — the view is really pretty!
S is for steak, the very best from coast to coast.
T is for tomatoes — on pizza or with toast.
U is for Uffizi, the famous art museum. Full of master paintings — will you wait to see ’em?
V is for the vendors that fill the marketplace. Leather, gifts, and food take up every inch of space.
W is for wine, a glass for mom and dad to share. Tuscan wine is famous. It must be something in the air!
X is for Xmas. La Befana comes on Christmas night. Y is for the yarn that makes scarves so soft and bright.
Z
And is for piazza, because the best part of the day is to sit back and enjoy—it’s the true Italian way.
Pronunciation Guide
the end
Duomo
dwo-mo
Biscotti
bis-cot-tea
Gelato
gel-ah-toe
Ponte Vecchio Panini Uffizi La Befana Piazza the end
Pon-tay Veck-ee-oh puh-knee-knee oo-feet-zee La Bef-ah-na pea-aht-za
Written and illustrated by Carmi Cioni in the Spring of 2013 Senior Thesis Project for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts Washington University in St. Louis Special thanks to Jeff Pike, John Hendrix, and DB Dowd