la valigia del cuore

THE CHALLENGE
The Suitcase of the Heart became one of the most meaningful and challenging projects I have worked on. Claudia, an Italian language teacher for children, approached me with the dream of creating a bilingual Italian-English children’s book inspired by a true story about immigration, courage, family, and finding a new home in Australia.
The challenge was not only to visually bring the story to life, but also to create an emotional connection that could resonate with both children and parents across different cultures and languages.

 

THE SOLUTION
From the very first meeting, we worked closely together over the course of nine months to develop every aspect of the project — from storytelling and character development to illustration, layout, and self-publishing preparation.
The visual direction was carefully crafted to feel warm, emotional, and child-friendly while preserving the authenticity of the story. Each illustration was designed to support the emotional journey of the characters and make the reading experience engaging for young audiences.
The bilingual structure of the book was also thoughtfully designed to create a smooth and accessible reading experience in both Italian and English.

 

THE OUTCOME
The final result is a heartfelt bilingual children’s book that combines storytelling, illustration, and cultural identity into a meaningful reading experience. The Suitcase of the Heart is now self-published and available on Amazon, representing not only the completion of a creative vision, but also a project built on passion, collaboration, and perseverance.