Rosa migrated to Australia when 11 years old, in 1961. She was born in S. Caterina dello Ionio, a village on the hills overlooking the Ionian Sea, to the east, in the arch of the foot of the Italian Peninsula. 

When her eldest granddaughter, Matilda started asking questions, what it was like growing up there, Rosa decided to write it down for her other grandchildren.

Life in S. Caterina was like growing up in a medieval village. This changed when more than a quarter of the population migrated for a better life.

This book describes how Rosa remembers growing up, the freedom, the food, the customs, and festivals. If some of the details are inaccurate, she apologises. It’s how she remembers them - with great affection.