The Pigeon Prince Paolo is a young pigeon in Venice who craves to become human. He gets his chance during the annual carnival when he disguises his identity with a magnificent costume that makes him look like a human. Walking among people, he concludes that they, in turn, really want to be birds! Paolo realizes that he is perfect just the way he is, and has always been what he desired most to be: someone special. M.R. Warriner's The Pigeon Prince richly illustrated by Italian artist Francesco Dibattista, is a great way to teach elementary school children that they can be happy in their own skin. Facts pages lend an educational component to this charming story of adventure and self-respect.