In this thrilling new adventure, the Happy Hollisters befriend little Nada Boschi, an Italian girl who is visiting in Shoreham. Nada confides to the Hollisters that her Uncle Giovanni, a famous toymaker and puppeteer, has disappeared from his house in Rome. Nada is sure that he has been kidnapped. But why would anyone want to kidnap a kind old man who spends his time entertaining children? The Hollisters are eager to try their hand at solving the mystery and help Nada find her uncle. But all this has happened in Italy—half-way around the world from Shoreham. There seems to be nothing that they can do.

Then Pam learns that she has won first prize in a contest—a trip around the world . . .and, well—almost before Pete can say "Crickets!," Mrs. Hollister and her children find themselves in the beautiful land of Italy.

Here they have a wonderful time riding a gondola through the famous "streets of water" in Venice . . . climbing to the top of the leaning tower of Pisa . . . shopping in the funny little stores that have been built on a bridge in the city of Florence . . . and visiting the ancient city of Pompeii which had been buried in the ash of a volcano over 2000 years ago!

The Happy Hollisters have all kinds of adventures touring these and many other famous places in Italy. And, before their trip has ended, they not only find Uncle Giovanni, but help the Italian police round up a gang of dangerous thieves!

From the dust jacket