Q&A with Kimberley Lovato

 

 

 

Kimberley Lovato is the author of the new children's picture book Pisa Loves Bella: A Towering Tale of Kindness. Her other books include Walnut Wine & Truffle Groves. 

 

Q: What inspired you to write Pisa Loves Bella?

 

A: As a travel writer, I can say, without surprise, that wanderlust was the initial inspiration for the book. I wanted to write something for children and their adults that sparked a curiosity about traveling in the world.

 

But themes of kindness seemed appropriate too. From the highest echelons of society to online neighborhood groups to TV news and school playgrounds, kindness seems to be in short supply, so a book for the next generation with messages of kindness at the core felt both timely and universal.

 

Q: What do you think Barbara Bongini’s illustrations add to the story?

 

A: Barbara’s illustrations are magnificent. Full of color, joy and fun, they add zest and depth to the story. Pay close attention to the details: expressions on faces, outfits, food on tables, and Italian buildings. I always see something new when I look at the book. Barbara’s work exceeded my expectations.

 

Q: What would you say are some of the most common perceptions and misconceptions about the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

 

A: Well, it definitely leans, that is true, and it's an obvious tilt too, noticeable inside and out.

 

Some believe that the tower is unstable, but it's supposedly one of the most monitored monuments in the world, which is understandable. The tower was evaluated and shored up in 1990 (when it closed for 11 years) and is now completely safe from tipping over.

 

The tower was built as the freestanding bell tower for the adjacent cathedral, and has seven bells, but they are no longer swung with ropes for safety reasons. Instead they are rung by electromagnetic hammer.

 

Another misconception surrounds Pisa’s most famous resident, Galileo, who supposedly tested gravitational theories by dropping heavy objects off the tower, but I think this has no factual basis or evidence to back it up, though it’s fun to think about. 

 

Lastly, I was surprised to discover the tower is completely hollow inside. Other than the stairs that swirl up the interior walls, the core is empty. I'm not sure what I expected to be in there, but it’s hollow marble column.

 

Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?

 

A: I would like kids, teachers, and parents to close the book with a few new tongue-twisty Italian words in their vocabularies and a curiosity about getting out to see the world, Italy or anywhere.

 

Since my book leans into messages of kindness and self-acceptance, I hope kids leave with ideas about what it means to be kind to others, and to ourselves. Being kind is a choice we can make every day.

 

And I hope kids connect with the idea that our “tilts” are what make us unique, and that being a true friend means seeing and celebrating that uniqueness.  

 

Q: What are you working on now? 

 

A: I am working on a new picture book starring another famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower!

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: November 13 is World Kindness Day. Yep—it’s a thing! The international observance was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of NGOs who promote the idea that kindness can binds us all together and has the power to bridge the gap between nations and people. 

 

In our small worlds, we parents, friends, family members, teachers, and neighbors can make every day kindness day and a time to share with future generations the importance of treating each other, ourselves, and our beautiful planet with respect and love.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb