Mary Hoffman is a best-selling children's author and reviewer. She is the author of the picture book 'Amazing Grace' which is an international best-seller. She is a complete afficionado of Italy - all her love for Italy has been infused into this book. She is currently doing an Italian literature course, and writing the sequel in the Stravaganza series: 'City of Stars' set in the Talian version of Siena. Mary is also the editor of Armadillo, a children's revew magazine. She has three grown-up children and lives with her husband in Carterton, outside Oxford.