Ease Reading-Find Your Next Favorite Book

Hot Search

Maya's World

Maya's World: Angelina of Italy

maya angelou lizzy rockwell

... Show More
ANGELINA LOVES PIZZA. So much so that when she hears that there is a Leaning Tower of Pisa, and mistakenly thinks it’s made of pizzas, she is so distressed that she must go see it for herself!

24 pages, Paperback

First published September 14,2004
Series
Maya/s World

This edition

Format
24 pages, Paperback
Published
September 14, 2004 by Random House Books for Young Readers
ISBN
9780375828324
ASIN
037582832X
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for maya angelou

maya angelou

... Show More
Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou's series of seven autobiographies focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.
She became a poet and writer after a string of odd jobs during her young adulthood. These included fry cook, sex worker, nightclub performer, Porgy and Bess cast member, Southern Christian Leadership Conference coordinator, and correspondent in Egypt and Ghana during the decolonization of Africa. Angelou was also an actress, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. In 1982, she was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Angelou was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Beginning in the 1990s, she made approximately 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties. In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993) at the first inauguration of Bill Clinton, making her the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of Black culture. Her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide, although attempts have been made to ban her books from some U.S. libraries. Angelou's most celebrated works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics consider them to be autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes that include racism, identity, family, and travel.

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 6 votes)
5 stars
1(17%)
4 stars
4(67%)
3 stars
1(17%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
6 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Nayukuo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
I had never delved into the works of Maya Angelou before, but with her passing, I felt a strong urge to do so.

Recently, I came across a really short book by her. It was about a girl from Italy. Apparently, this is part of a series of books that aim to introduce children to different cultures.

The story is simple yet engaging. It provides a glimpse into the life and experiences of the Italian girl, allowing young readers to learn about a new culture in an accessible way.

This book would be perfect for a read-aloud session with a younger kid. The language is easy to understand, and the illustrations add to the charm.

Overall, it was a pleasant read that made me appreciate Maya Angelou's talent for writing for children. I look forward to exploring more of her works in the future.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Clario_C_Cactus
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
A Cute Story for Children

Once upon a time, there was a little bunny. The little bunny loved to play in the big green field.

One day, while playing, the bunny found a shiny red apple. The bunny was very happy and decided to take the apple home.

On the way home, the bunny met a little bird. The bird said, "That's a very nice apple. Can I have a bite?" The bunny thought for a moment and then said, "Sure!"

The bird took a small bite of the apple and said, "Thank you! It's delicious." The bunny continued on its way home, feeling very good because it had shared its apple with the bird.

When the bunny finally got home, it showed the apple to its mommy. The mommy bunny was very proud of the little bunny for sharing.

This is a very simple but cute story that is perfect for very young children. It teaches them the importance of sharing and being kind to others.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Komato-kun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More

Maya Angelou is an incredibly talented writer. Her works have touched the hearts of many. However, I was rather surprised to discover her series of American Girl-esque books called Maya's World. Each book in this series features a little girl from a different culture, which is quite an interesting concept. And to add to the charm, each book comes with a paper doll!


One particular book in this series is about a little girl in Italy named Angelina. She loves pizza, and when she learns about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, she becomes concerned, thinking it's really made of pizza and that the pizza will go to waste. While I thought the story was kind of cute, I also felt it was a little dumb.


Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" series is one of my all-time favorites. She is truly a wonderful writer. But it sure seems like she didn't put as much effort into this series as she did into her other works. It almost feels like she phoned it in for this one (and possibly the rest of the series).

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
S_Alexander
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
This book is targeted at the age group of around 4 to 8 years old.

It mainly focuses on introducing other children to diverse cultures.

Specifically, it centers on Angelina and her trip to Italy.

Angelina heard about the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and in her mind, she translated the word "Pisa" as "Pizza".

Consequently, she felt the need to go and see the Leaning Tower of Pizza for herself.

Initially, I rated this book as a 5. However, after reading and fully understanding it, I changed the rating to a 3.

The book itself is charming and entertaining for little children.

But when viewed from an older perspective, apart from introducing children to other cultures and having an engaging plot to capture the readers' attention, it doesn't possess much real meaning.

Nevertheless, it still serves its purpose of providing some educational value and entertainment for its intended young audience.

0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
airingela
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
We haven't commenced reading this book yet. However, as it is intended for my daughters and I don't wish to have to search for it at a later time, I am placing it within the reading column.

This way, it will be easily accessible when the time comes for us to pick it up and begin the journey of exploration and learning that it surely holds.

I can envision my daughters sitting together, poring over the pages, their eyes filled with curiosity and excitement.

The anticipation of what lies within the book makes me eager to see how they will respond to the stories and the lessons it may impart.

By adding it to the reading column now, I am ensuring that it doesn't get lost in the shuffle of our busy lives and that it remains a priority for us to engage with in the near future.
0 0 Reply
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Graygoose124
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
... Show More
My students had an absolute blast exploring Maya’s World.

The moment they opened the book, they were immediately whisked away to the beautiful country of Italy. The vivid illustrations were like windows into a different world, allowing them to see the charming streets, the magnificent architecture, and the colorful culture of Italy.

The relatable story added another layer of engagement, as they could easily put themselves in Maya’s shoes and experience her adventures.

As a result, my students were not only entertained but also deeply intrigued and curious to learn more about Italy. They asked countless questions about the language, the food, the traditions, and the history of this fascinating country.

It was truly a joy to see their enthusiasm and excitement, and I know that this experience will stay with them for a long time.
0 0 Reply
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.