The Garden Speaks Sicilian

A story of language, community, and cucuzzas

This forthcoming children’s book from Nick Panzarella and Chelsea Shannon celebrates Sicilian-American language and culture.

With fully bilingual English-Sicilian text and lush illustrations, our book tells the story of Ross, a kid from New Orleans, who begins to learn Sicilian over a summer of gardening and eating with his grandmother, Nanna Jenny. Jenny lives in Independence, Louisiana, a strong community of Sicilian-Americans who keep language and culture alive.

The book’s illustrations are by award-winning Italian illustrator, Alice Coppini.

Coming in 2027 from the University of Louisiana Press.