1994 first edition of The Three Golden Keys by Peter Sis tells of a man in a hot-air balloon who's blown off course and taken to his childhood home of Prague.
Written and illustrated by Peter Sis. November, 1994 first edition, first printing. Doubleday.
"A wild and turbulent storm took control of my hot-air balloon and sent me far off course.
When the storm finally calmed, I found myself floating toward the spires of a big city.
I did not have to wonder about the city, as my balloon was rapidly losing air.
I was lucky to land unharmed on a deserted square. I quickly got out of the gondola.
There was nobody anywhere. But, all of a sudden, everything around me reminded me of my childhood... Could it be that the storm had taken me all the way back to Prague, where I grew up? Would I still remember the way through the twisting streets to my family house?"
Sis begins the story with a letter to his daughter Madeleine:
"My Dear Madeleine,
... By the time you can make sense of this note it will be the 21st century. You were born in New York, in the New World, and surely you will be wondering one day where your father came from. This book is to explain just that. You might never speak Czech. You may prefer other parts of this beautiful planet... You are free. ... However, one day you will enter Prague, the place I grew up, in your silent slippers soft as cat's paws, and you will look for the keys."
Peter arrives at his family's home in Prague to find it locked with three padlocks. The family's black cat is there to meet him and leads him through the city, through three seasons, and we learn of three Czech legends that lead to the three keys needed to open the padlocks.
Peter Sis (1949 -) was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia. While in the US in 1982 to create an animated film about Czechoslovakia's participation in the Los Angeles Olympics, the USSR boycotted the Olympics. Sis stayed in the US and was granted asylum. In 2012, he was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest honor given to writers or illustrators of children's books.
Etsy.com/shop/TheCharmedBookshop
Visit TheCharmedBookshop.com for more first edition children's books.
Condition*: Near Fine.
* Based on guidelines of the Independent Online Booksellers' Association.
Shipping from United States
Processing time
1-3 business days
Estimated shipping times
- Australia : 1 - 3 business days
- United States : 1 - 3 business days
- North America : 1 - 3 business days
- Europe : 1 - 3 business days
- Australia, New Zealand and Oceania : 1 - 3 business days
- Asia Pacific : 1 - 3 business days
- Latin America and the Caribbean : 1 - 3 business days
- North Africa and the Middle East : 1 - 3 business days
- Sub-Saharan Africa : 1 - 3 business days
I'll do my best to meet these shipping estimates, but can't guarantee them. Actual delivery time will depend on the shipping method you choose.
Customs and import taxes
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I'm not responsible for delays due to customs.
Payment Options
Returns & Exchanges
I gladly accept returns, exchanges, and cancellations
Just contact me within: 7 days of delivery
Ship items back to me within: 14 days of delivery
Privacy policy
* I will not share your personal information with third parties.
* I will contact you only through Etsy or an email address you provide to convey information about your order and news exclusive to The Charmed Bookshop.
* In placing your order, please provide Etsy with an active email address to ensure that I can get in touch with you about your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gift wrapping and packaging
I wrap every book with care and ship it in a padded mailing envelope or sturdy box. If you're purchasing a gift, please advise when ordering and include a gift message.
Care instructions
1. I lightly clean books, as needed, but I don't attempt repairs or restoration. If you'd like a book restored, you'll find trustworthy, qualified experts in your area through libraries or museums.
I also recommend the following care instructions.
American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works -
https://goo.gl/6CZ9zA
2. Photos are cropped and resized to Etsy guidelines but are otherwise unedited. Please contact me if you'd like additional photos of book details.
3. Descriptions of condition are based on guidelines from the Independent Online Booksellers' Association.
Order processing time
I'll process and ship your purchase in 1 - 3 business days, and I'll ship anywhere in the world via any mail or delivery service that Etsy offers. (Please refer to the Shipping section for average shipping turn-around times by region.) If I encounter any delays in processing your order, I will advise you in advance.
Reviews (1)
Average:
Mar 25, 2021
Cool book. A bit dark, but interesting and European.
JBTME