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Guido's Gondola
Just How Much Is Enough?
Guido spends his days shuttling tourists along the waterways of Venice in a small gondola. The kindhearted young rat enjoys the simple pleasures of his world–until his eyes are opened to the possibilities of all that could be accomplished with a larger, faster vessel. As Guido is persuaded to acquire bigger and better boats, life becomes increasingly complicated. Just how far will he go in his search for true satisfaction?
You and your child will giggle your way through this enchanting story of a small rat with a big heart, who learns the hard way that it’s the little joys of life that matter most.
Guido spends his days shuttling tourists along the waterways of Venice in a small gondola. The kindhearted young rat enjoys the simple pleasures of his world–until his eyes are opened to the possibilities of all that could be accomplished with a larger, faster vessel. As Guido is persuaded to acquire bigger and better boats, life becomes increasingly complicated. Just how far will he go in his search for true satisfaction?
You and your child will giggle your way through this enchanting story of a small rat with a big heart, who learns the hard way that it’s the little joys of life that matter most.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 17, 2005
About the author
Renee Riva
101 books90 followersRenee Riva has been writing humorous stories ever since she won her first writing contest in second grade. She now has over 20 titles and writes inspirational fiction for David C. Cook, and clean romance for Forget Me Not Romances. Her main categories are: coming of age, YA, romantic comedies, Historical Romance, chapter books and children's picture books.
Renee's ideas come from a happy childhood that she shared with 6 fun, loud Italians, and wouldn't trade those years or her siblings for anything in the world.
She is currently having her books narrated into audio-books for audio listeners.
Renee is a mom, a wife, an animal lover, and a kid at heart. She loves to hear from her readers and tries to answer all of her letters so drop me a line if you like!
Renee's ideas come from a happy childhood that she shared with 6 fun, loud Italians, and wouldn't trade those years or her siblings for anything in the world.
She is currently having her books narrated into audio-books for audio listeners.
Renee is a mom, a wife, an animal lover, and a kid at heart. She loves to hear from her readers and tries to answer all of her letters so drop me a line if you like!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 19, 2019
Burvīgas ilustrācijas un skaists stāsts. Patiks visām paaudzēm.
February 5, 2018
Whimsical watercolours of a rat that takes the advice of others and discovers that his simple beginnings were best.
January 21, 2020
Beautiful little message set in a beautiful city.
June 9, 2020
I love this story about learning what is most important to you in life. I also thinks the pictures are amazing.
March 3, 2021
A heart-warming story that can teach children about being content with what they have.
November 30, 2022
Very cute! Beautifully illustrated.
January 30, 2026
Read by dad. While mom rocks to sleep.
October 10, 2013
Found this in a Venice bookshop while for an authentic Italian picture book for my 13 month old grandchild. Commercial Free Childhood people http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org/) would have a field day with Italian bookshops - TV and movie characters and merchandise take precedence. After looking through about 10 bookshops I was desperate. (Unfortunately, neither author nor illustrator are Italian.) This is a cautionary tale about the traps of consumerism. While a pleasant book, it's main attraction was the title. Guido is my father's name. Maybe young Nicholas will make the connection in years to come.
June 12, 2015
This is a great little children's book that teaches kids that bigger does not always mean better and that sometimes in life it is the simpler things that make you happy. Essentially it's a story about being careful of mass consumerism and always needing a bigger and better item (in this case boats) that you already have, which is a lesson we should all probably take more seriously. The book is set in Venice, Italy, and the illustrations, especially the expressions on Guido's face, are great. I give this book a definite thumbs up. ~The Librarian Uncle
September 22, 2008
Very cute children's book, picked it up in Venice when I was pregnant with my son. Cute lesson that bigger and fancier is not always better.
September 23, 2009
A good "be careful what you wish for"/"be happy with what you have" moral tale.
March 20, 2011
I love noble animal stories so had to write one!
May 24, 2011
Good book about "what is important in life"--would be good to read to older kids.
August 9, 2014
About appreciating the little things in life.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews