This Is Venice

　　威尼斯-這個特色獨具的水都，有知性的博物館、古老的大教堂、金碧輝煌的彩繪玻璃、饕客喜愛的海鮮、水上行駛的特色小船?，是大人們想體驗水中生活的浪漫地方。大人們如此嚮往的城市，怎能不好好介紹給小朋友認識。

　　This Is Venice可說是一本小朋友的威尼斯旅遊指南，故事從遠眺海豚形狀般的威尼斯全景開始。作者先介紹威尼斯的歷史、街道、小販、進而深入介紹各個著名景點。作者使用平緩的語調來介紹構成水都威尼斯的各個人、事、景、物，跟著每一頁的插畫與文字，彷彿專業導遊就在身邊，帶讀者進入城市的每個角落。本書於1961年出版，絕版多時，好不容易才於2004年獲得再版機會，書中紀錄的是當60年代的威尼斯，很多規定與景點已不復存在，書末有特別註記可參考。

　　本書不僅是一本大人小孩都適讀的繪本，也是一部城市紀錄史。

On the heels of the runaway bestsellers This is New York and This is Paris, Universe is pleased to reissue another title from M. Sasek’s beloved and nostalgic children’s travel series.

Like the other Sasek classics, This is Venice is a facsimile edition of his original book from the 1960s and is still timely and current in every way. The brilliant, vibrant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, remaining true to his vision more than 40 years later and, where applicable, facts have been updated for the twenty-first century, appearing on a ＂This is...Today＂ page at the back of the book. The stylish, charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek’s witty, playful narrative, makes for a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember this book from their childhood.

This is Venice, first published in 1961, presents indelible impressions of romantic, watery Venice, where under a brilliant blue sky Sasek the gondolier navigates the winding canals to visit such famous and glorious landmarks as the Palazzo Grassi, Piazza San Marco, Doges Palace, and the Accademia di Belle Arti.

M. Sasek was born in 1916 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. An author and illustrator, he is best remembered for his classic stories on the great cities of the world. He died in 1980.