Peter Sis grew up in Prague, and this book represents his homage to the city of his childhood. His tribute involves three keys, three stories and three aspects of the famous Czech city. Memories entwine with history, legends, specific houses and streets, the ancient stone bridge and the famous astronomical clock, images of cats and the lure of three padlocks. With its subtle colors and complex images, The Three Golden Keys is one of the most elegant, intriguing books published during this decade. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis participated in the editing of the elaborately produced 12 x 10 1/2" volume. The Three Golden Keys succeeds on multiple levels and surely invites repeated "readings" of several kinds. (Age 5 and older)

The incomparable range and imagination of Czech artist Peter Sis is known the world over through his animated films, paintings, and best-selling children's books such as"Komodo!," "The Dragons Are Singing," and "Follow The Dream," Now, with "The Three Golden Keys," he gives us his most heartfelt and autobiographical work to date: the reworking of three classic Czechoslovakian fairy tales into a haunting illustrated fable of his lost childhood in Prague that is also a deeply felt allegory of the reclamation of a Czech cultural identity after forty-five years of Communist rule. A man returns to his home in the ancient city of his childhood. Three large rusty locks bar his entry. He knows he must somehow find the three golden keys that will let him in. Suddenly a black cat leaps off the gate; seeming to invite him to follow. Together they search through Prague's monuments and landmarks. With each key they find, a different aspect of the city comes to life and recounts for them a classic Czech fairy tale. The man runs back to his childhood home and excitedly opens the three rusty locks. Inside the front door, back turned to him, is his mother. She glances up, and as she recognizes him and comes to life, so does the city. Utterly magical on every level, "The Three Golden Keys" is destined to become a classic of children's literature. It truly is a "book for children of all ages."