Barbara DiLorenzo combines magical realism with historical fiction to craft a tale at once delightfully whimsical and astonishingly heartbreaking. Set in Florence, Italy during WWII, “Renato and the Lion” tells the story of Renato, a young Florentine boy forced to flee his war-torn country. Brought to life with luminous watercolor illustrations, “Renato and the Lion” is surprisingly poignant and touching.