Consistently insert into two MySQL tables.

Hi Folks,

i am in need of some advice about how to consistently add data into
two
MySQL tables. The database looks like this:

    CREATE TABLE Items (
                 itemId    INT UNSIGNED AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
                 itemName  VARCHAR(255) DEFAULT NULL,
                 FULLTEXT (itemName)

    CREATE TABLE ViewCount (
                 itemId        INT UNSIGNED PRIMARY KEY,
                 viewCnt       INT UNSIGNED DEFAULT 0)
                 TYPE = InnoDB

Both tables are connected through the column 'itemId'.
How would a SQL statement look that:
1. Inserts a new row into table 'Items'
2. Query Items.itemId, (note that itemName is not unique)
3. Inserts a new row into table 'ViewCount' using
   ViewCount.itemId = Items.itemId
4. Does the whole operation in a thread save way.

The main problems I've encountered are how can i query the newly
inserted Items.itemId if all other columns are not unique? And how do
i make the two inserts plus the one select atomic/thread save?
I appreciate any help,
Thanks in advance!