Glowrushes

Ages 9 to 12, Grades 4 to 7

A beautiful, wise tale about imagination, chronic illness, and friendship for young readers by an Italy's foremost children's book author.

“I don’t think I have read anything like this before – a tale of life, death, love and beauty. . . . I hope this unforgettable story finds all the readers it deserves.” —Philip Pullman

Long, long ago, a boy lies confined by sickness to his windowless bedchambers. He can never experience the outside world, never breathe fresh air or feel the warmth of the sun on his skin, so his doting father summons a painter to embellish his rooms with beautiful murals. 

The artist sets to work, and soon there is a fabulous world on the walls, a colorful, shifting landscape peopled by shepherds and lovers, criss-crossed by armies and pirate ships. As the boy’s health fades, the artist paints on, turning the simple commission into a generous labor of love. Can he show this child the richness and beauty of the world—and of life itself—with nothing but paints and brushes?

Glowrushes is a heartbreakingly beautiful classic of Italian children’s literature.

Publication History:Original

About the Author

Born in 1947, Roberto Piumini is Italy’s foremost living author of children’s stories. His books are found in every Italian bookshop and school and have been translated into many languages across the world. He received the Rodari Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 and has twice been nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. Glowrushes was first published in 1987 and is considered his masterpiece.

Leah D. Janeczko is a translator of Italian literature for readers of all ages. Born and raised in the Chicago area, she has lived in Milan for over three decades.

Author Hometown: Edolo, Italy