Sicily

I am a special piece of land floating in the warm, sparkly blue sea. My shape is like a triangle that a giant might have drawn in the water. The sun loves me and keeps my sandy beaches warm for wiggling your toes. It helps my lemon and orange trees grow big, round, and bright. I love the smell of my sweet flowers and yummy fruit. My name is a happy secret. I am the island of Sicily.

A very, very long time ago, even before your grandparents were born, friends came to visit me in their boats. Around 750 BCE, friends from a place called Greece sailed across the sea. They built beautiful, big stone buildings with tall pillars that looked like strong legs holding up the roof. Some of them are still here for you to see. Then, a little later, around 241 BCE, new friends called the Romans arrived. They thought I was the perfect place for a giant garden. They planted lots of wheat and yummy food for everyone to eat. After a long time, in the year 1061, more friends came. These friends were the Normans, and they built strong castles to play hide-and-seek in. They also made my churches so pretty with pictures made of shiny, sparkly gold.

I have a big, tall mountain on me named Mount Etna. Sometimes, he wakes up from his nap and puffs a little cloud of smoke to say hello to the sky. Today, lots of families come to play on my beaches and build sandcastles. Children run around my old stone buildings, pretending they are kings and queens. They love to taste my sweet treats, like ice cream and yummy cakes. I love sharing my sunshine and all my stories with my visitors. Come visit me, and I’ll share my tasty oranges and happy history with you.