Out of a bitter storm comes a gift that saves a village.
In this adaptation of an Italian folktale, the young fisherman Gianni braves the thawing, ice-bound lagoon of Burano to catch fish to feed the starving people of his island. His fiancée, Nicoletta, prays for his safety. Gianni, swept from his fishing boat, is rescued by a mermaid who whips the water into a length of elegant lace, which she gives to Gianni for Nicoletta’s wedding veil. This gorgeously illustrated tale recounts the mythical origins of Burano lace, whose production has long been a vital part of the island’s economy and vibrant culture, ensuring the islanders would never go hungry. The lace is still famed throughout the world for its scalloped, wave-like patterns.
Claudia Cangilla McAdam is the award-winning author of more than sixteen books for children and young adults. A writer since her youth, McAdam has been honored as a finalist in the Colorado Book Awards and the Colorado Authors’ League Awards, winner of the Highlights for Children national fiction contest, and recipient of the Highlights for Children Arts Feature of the Year Award. McAdam’s work has been published in Business Today, Fortune, Denver Parent, Boys’ Life, Scholastic, Teen, Colorado Homes & Lifestyles, the Denver Post, Catholic Digest, and many other outlets. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Colorado Authors’ League, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. McAdam is a frequent speaker and presenter at schools and events. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Illinois State University and her master’s degree in theology from Augustine Institute. McAdam lives with her family in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.