Janet Grace Milone (1958- ) was born in Inglewood, California, to the son of Sicilian immigrants, and to the daughter of a West Virginia coal miner. Her mother was of German and Irish decent, which inspired her to study Celtic folklore, as well as her concentration in Italian literature. While earning her degree in Comparative Literature, she lived in Florence, Italy for three and half years, and studied at the Università degli Studi di Firenze. Her proudest achievement is being mother to her two sons, Joshua and Zachari.

         While living, and studying in Florence, Italy, travelers would often ask, “What is there to see?  How do you distinguish one old city from the next?  My children are bored!”  My response was to ask, “How long will you be staying in Florence?”  The average answer was one to three days.  These questions circled in my thoughts like a blender for some time.     

         While walking through the streets of Florence, I kept seeing Pinocchios of all sizes throughout the city.  Everyone loves Pinocchio, and so I thought how wonderful it would be to have him as a tour guide during the Renaisssance.  Florence was home to Carlo (Lorenzini) Collodi for many years.  He created the children’s novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, and he is buried high on the hill at the church of San Miniato that overlooks the beautiful city of Florence.  As an homage to Pinocchio, I created his cousin Bischero!  Now the traveler can find the answers to their questions, and much much more!

          Bischero is for parent and child.  Historical facts, art, science, and much more are woven into each story.  Learn a little Italian, and follow his adventures city by city in a travel series and guide for the family by way of storytelling.  Experience the Renaissance through the eyes of a druid child.  Discover how he came from Galway, Ireland to Florence, Italy.  His only way home is with the help of Pasquale and Leonardo da Vinci, his foster father.