Vatican City

Children's Literature

This is an informative well-written account of a unique nation which has about 925 citizens in residence. Black-and-white photos and subtitles break up the text about history, the museum, sources of power, and everyday life. The Vatican houses an administration for its city, the diocese of Rome, and the worldwide Catholic Church called the Holy See. "There are nunciatures [ambassadors] to nearly every nation on earth except China, North Korea, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia." This tiny country has its own flag, coins, postage stamps, radio and television stations, and web site. The two thousand or so secular jobs are often inherited. Sixteen teams, organized by the work they do, such as gardeners, cooks, and carpenters, compete in The Vatican Soccer League. There is a list of facts, a chronology, end notes, bibliography, and lists of books and web sites for further study. An index in very small print is included. Part of the "Modern Nations of the World" series, this is an interesting and instructive reference book for libraries and those who want to learn about the subject. 2006, Lucent Books/Thomson Gale/The Thomson Corporation, Ages 12 up.
—Carlee Hallman