The Riverbank," a picture book published by Creative Editions of Mankato, Minn., has won a top prize at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in Italy.

Inspired by a paragraph in Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species," the book was conceived and illustrated by artist Fabian Negrin.

The judges said, "Here Negrin portrays Darwin the boy as he first discovers the marvels of nature. The dream-like quality of the illustrations captures the awe with which children gaze on the world. Negrin conveys this intricate, dazzling world to perfection."

Negrin lives in Milan, Italy.

The Star Tribune review of the book is at tinyurl.com/yjnd43s

LAURIE HERTZEL