A new children’s book by Italian-Canadian singer/songwriter Frank Moyo celebrates the unique bond between a Nonna and her grandchild. Titled “Nonna,” the bilingual book (written in both English and Italian) brings to life a song that Moyo wrote for his Nonna Finuzza the night she passed away.
The song quickly became a favourite with online fans and strangers alike. Moyo realized those same lyrics could make for a lovely illustrated children’s book.
Moyo came across the work of illustrator Kelsey Marshalsey and approached her with his book idea. He gave her some photos and a few notes. She came back with one illustration—when Moyo saw it he knew he had found the right collaborator.
“The illustrations are so great. It’s what you need with a children’s book,” he explains.
As this was his first book, everything was a learning experience. He knew he had an online following, but the big question was, would they buy his book? Moyo found a publisher who was interested but wanted to remove the Italian, lengthen the story and delay publication. Instead, Moyo decided to go it alone.
There was a strategy to Moyo’s decision. Even though his online following was steadily growing, Moyo believed that an upcoming television appearance could bring his popularity to the next level.
Moyo had auditioned for Citytv’s Canada Has Talent and that audition was scheduled to air in April of 2025. He had brought his family and his Nonna Rita to the recording of the show. His family thought they were just there to enjoy the taping of a television show—they had no clue Moyo himself was going to get up on stage and audition with his original song “Nonna.” Moyo did not advance to the next level of the competition, but his audition got a lot of buzz online.
Just after his audition aired, Moyo announced the upcoming publication of his book based on those very same lyrics he had sung on the Canada Has Talent stage. The timing was perfect. Moyo’s gamble paid off.
In just three months he sold 5000 copies.
“I’m overwhelmed. I didn’t think it would blow up this much, and it’s still going,” Moyo admits.
“With my social media following, and with the book tour, I’ve been getting great reviews from people. It’s 4/5 stars on Amazon. I think people are relating to it because of their own relationships with their grandparents. Those little nuances in the book, people read them and think, oh, I did that with my Nonna,” Moyo continues.
“Now I even get recognized on the street. I love it when kids come up to me and speak Italian. It’s just amazing. There is a lot online that is actually destructive to our culture. I want to make sure the kids are focusing on learning the language and focusing on their families.”
Today, Moyo has over 987,000 followers on Instagram alone.
Moyo—real name Francesco Muoio—is an elementary school music teacher by day and online sensation by night. In 2021, he began to release covers of classic Italian songs, which the Italian community in Toronto took notice of. He then drew on his background as an educator to create children’s songs that celebrate the Italian language and culture, a passion that developed as a young Italian-Canadian boy loved and guided by four Calabrese Nonni.
“Kids are learning about Italian in this simple way. It’s so amazing to see the kids and their grandparents coming to my book signings together. Stuff like this is what helps keep the Italian culture alive. My grandmothers, my Nonni, they are more than just a grandparent to me. I consider them my best friends. This book is a celebration of family, a celebration of Italian-Canadian culture.”
Moyo plans to bring his book on tour in the U.S. and to Australia. He is already thinking about book number two.
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