L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012 L'Italo-Americano PAGE 19 ISABELLA CENTOFANTI Italian Children's Market: A Place to Discover and Remember Your Roots The Abruzzese village was everything new to Isabella. In 1967, Marane Palazzo had dirt roads, stables, chickens, and an atmosphere of work, song, and sheep bells. Solid, earthy people labored in fields and tended flocks; after chores, children donned black smocks and ran to get to school on time, big shoes caked with muck and straw. One December morning, Isabella's family walked the snow-dusted highway from the village to Sulmona where, in Piazza Settembre, a bronze Ovid wore white epaulets and a white skullcap. In Piazza Garibaldi, they bought hand- warming roasted chestnuts rolled in brown paper, and of course their Christmas tree, with roots like a dirt-covered tarantu- la. Fast forward four decades. Because of childhood memories like the ones of her year in the recently founded Italian Children's Market, to honor her Italian village, San Pedro resi- dent Isabella Centofanti, creator of Lingo Bears and Giovanni the Italian Speaking Bear, has family's Old World roots. The Italian Children's Market is an online store and catalog where you can find books, toys, CDs, DVDs, and other prod- ucts; perfect tools for fun as well as progressive exploration into the language, land, and cul- ture of Italy. "Knowing our roots deepens our knowledge of ourselves. We at Italian Children's Market are the children of Old World parents. We yet feel a connec- tion to the ancient village soil and cobbled streets that harbor our roots. But what about our children and our grandchil- dren?" Separated by time and distance, these young ones are like new leaves that span not only generations of family, but an entire ocean. Again and again, parents Isabella Centofanti, creator of Italian Children's Market striving to connect their little "leaves" to the tree to which they belong ask: How can we make this happen? It is with genuine care and attention to quality and safety that Isabella hand-picks all the items that stock her shelves. Whether you choose a book, an article of clothing, a Pinocchio straight from the sawdust and paint of Geppetto's own work- ship, Giovanni the Italian- Speaking Bear, or any other item, we at Italian Children's Market sincerely hope to enrich your child's life through educa- tion and an appreciation of his Italian Heritage. Visit Italian Children's Market online at: www.ItalianChildrens Market.com or call 310-427- 2700 for a free catalog. Angelo J. Di Fusco, CPA Tax preparation & planning Financial statements & accounting Financial planning & budgeting quickbooks professional advisor & small business consulting Let's team up to cut your taxes 25 years experience Parliamo italiano 818/248-9779 www.difusco.com

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