When a children’s author can turn a real Italian park into a canvas for moral discovery, families should take notice. Award-winning writer Talya Rotbart has done exactly that with her latest illustrated release—a story that uses the thrill of a treasure hunt to explore values far older than any gold.
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Lorenzo’s Treasure Introduces Lovable Animal Characters While Teaching Young Readers About Kindness, Honesty, Friendship, Family, and the Things Money Can’t Buy
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Rotbart transformed the real park into a storybook world where animals converse, friendships flourish, and even the forces of nature seem to take an interest in the characters’ adventures.”— TJFR Press Inc
DENVER, CO, UNITED STATES, November 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Award-winning children’s author Talya Rotbart is inviting young readers on an imaginative journey to Italy with her newest illustrated book, Lorenzo’s Treasure or the Gold of Vicenza. This heartwarming adventure takes its inspiration directly from a real Italian park and the animals that live there.
Published by TJFR Press, Inc., the story centers on Biscotti, an endlessly curious young rabbit who is determined to find a chest of gold that was hidden centuries ago by Lorenzo, a courageous Italian horseman fleeing from robbers.
Biscotti doesn’t work alone. Armed with a metal detector gifted by his grandparents, he assembles an unlikely team of fellow treasure seekers. Among them are Bianca, a sensible white rabbit; Gelato, whose runaway imagination often gets the best of him; Gatto, a shy orange tabby cat; and Tartaruga, a friendly turtle with expert knowledge of the park’s waterways.
Readers will also meet a pair of boisterous roosters, a greyhound puppy who seems to walk his human rather than the other way around, and a particularly grumpy rodent whose strange cries sound suspiciously like a cow.
Together, Biscotti and his friends turn ordinary afternoons into extraordinary adventures. They pretend to be mountain climbers, galloping musketeers, and ocean voyagers. The escapades provide plenty of laughter and excitement, but they also quietly introduce lessons about generosity, honesty, and responsibility.
At the heart of the story lies a question any child can appreciate: just because you find something valuable, does that mean it belongs to you?
As Biscotti’s search unfolds, he begins to realize that some treasures simply can’t be measured in gold coins. The affection of family, the loyalty of friends, and the joy of shared experiences may be worth considerably more.
Rotbart found her inspiration while visiting Parco Querini in Vicenza, Italy. This historic park, filled with ancient trees, winding paths, classical statues, and picturesque waterways, was alive with rabbits and other creatures.
Rather than fabricate an imaginary setting, Rotbart transformed the real park into a storybook world where animals converse, friendships thrive, and even the forces of nature seem to take an interest in the characters’ adventures.
The book’s colorful illustrations bring these scenes to life, and actual photographs introduce readers to the real park that sparked the tale.
Rotbart previously authored But I Said I’m Sorry, a children’s story that earned an enthusiastic recommendation from nationally syndicated radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Her earlier works also include The Boy Who Answered the Call of Kilimanjaro: The Adventures of Riyaz.
A multi-award-winning writer, Rotbart draws inspiration from her own now-adult children, as well as from the people, places, and experiences she encounters. She also researches and co-writes books for adults alongside her husband, Dean Rotbart, an award-winning journalist and author.
Lorenzo’s Treasure introduces characters whose adventures will continue in future installments set in Parco Querini.
Designed to entertain children while giving parents and grandparents meaningful stories to share, the book celebrates the rewards of curiosity, imagination, and kindness.
For more information or to purchase Lorenzo’s Treasure or the Gold of Vicenza, visit https://tinyurl.com/LorenzosTreasure.
Why it matters: In an era where children are bombarded with digital distractions, Rotbart’s park-based adventure reminds families that the most valuable lessons often come from simple, imaginative play and real-world connections. By grounding her fable in an actual place and its creatures, she gives young readers a tangible reason to explore their own surroundings with curiosity and compassion.
Dean Rotbart
TJFR Press Inc
+1 303-800-6081
