This book was signed for us by the artist Claire Keane in July 2024 before she moved permanently back to Paris, France.

From the publisher:

A daring dog takes a whirlwind tour of Rome in search of freedom in new picture book from beloved storyteller Mac Barnett and masterful illustrator Claire Keane

Paolo the dachshund is trapped. Though he lives in Rome, a city filled with history and adventure, he is confined to a hair salon. Paolo dreams of the sweet life--la dolce vita--in the Eternal City. And then, one day, he escapes! Paolo throws himself into the city, finding adventure at every turn. Join our hero as he discovers the wonders of Rome: the ruins, the food, the art, the opera, and--of course--the cats. Readers will cheer the daring of this bighearted dog, whose story shows that even the smallest among us can achieve great things.

Age Range: 4 - 8 years
Grade Level: Preschool - 3

About the Authors

Mac Barnett is the coauthor of the Terrible Two series and the author of many picture books, which have won multiple Caldecott Honors.

Claire Keane studied graphic design in Paris before moving to Los Angeles, where she worked at Walt Disney Feature Animation for 10 years and contributed to Frozen, Tangled, Enchanted, and many other films. She now lives in Paris, where she writes and illustrates children's books.

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Bighearted tale that champions honor for honor's sake."
--Publishers Weekly

**STARRED REVIEW**
"Both Keane's art and Barnett's plucky hero give the big city of Rome an exciting and inviting feel, making it a delightful adventure for readers and travelers of all ages."
--Shelf Awareness

"Joyful…Claire Keane's illustrations evoke the noise and vitality of Rome at its most rewarding. [A] charmer."
--Wall Street Journal

"Barnett's theatrical narrator works in tandem with the hilariously pompous pooch to carry this rib-tickling romp with infectious bravado. . .The beautifully textured architecture and action sequences harken back to classic picture-books artists. Molto bene!"
--Kirkus Reviews