Pinocchio [Hardcover]

Carlo Collodi (Author), Sara Fanelli (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Idiosyncratic collages by the acclaimed Sara Fanelli and a clever, authentic translation make this slipcased PINOCCHIO a must-have for collectors of all ages.

Combine Carlo Collodi’s tale of an outrageously naughty wooden boy with the quirky collage work of Sara Fanelli, and you have a striking, beautifully designed edition that captures the ironic and darkly humorous tone of the original text. This authentic unabridged translation by Emma Rose revisits the mischievous Pinocchio, the long-suffering Geppetto, and the ill-fated cricket in a graceful, witty retelling that bears little resemblance to the popularized Disney version. Sara Fanelli’s inventive multimedia illustrations are absolutely arresting, and make a perfect match for Collodi’s classic, picaresque tale.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-As she did in Mythical Monsters of Ancient Greece (Candlewick, 2002), Fanelli again creates a fresh and imaginative visual interpretation of a classic. The original story of the wayward boy/puppet is presented in full, made more accessible to contemporary readers by this translation's taut narration and witty dialogue. The mixed-media collages are made up of original drawings and cuttings from photos, wallpaper, and other artwork. As in the illustrator's earlier works, print is often featured in the pictures. Other recurring images include photographs of human eyes placed on drawings of human and nonhuman faces and prominent noses. This unconventional style is an apt partner for this complex tale-a story that is both playful and macabre. However, this version is not for very young children or first-time readers, as the pictures are not obvious representations of the text. This sophisticated, edgy adaptation will be most appreciated by connoisseurs of children's literature and illustration. Definitely a special purchase, this book is far superior to Helen Rossendale and Graham Philpot's uninspired The Adventures of Pinocchio (Dial, 2003).
Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-7. Long a favorite of illustrators, this classic story has been popularized, stylized, and Disneyfied many times, but the idiosyncratic collage-and-ink illustrations definitely set this version apart. Fanelli's arch, quirky style, as seen in First Flight (2003), suggests a cross between Lane Smith's and Vladimir Radunsky's work. Black-and-white drawings dot some pages, while some double-page spreads sprout full-color images, often set against graph-paper backgrounds. Pinocchio has an oversize, angular head with a pointed cap, set atop a sticklike body, his face always depicted in a half-moon profile. The language has been altered to lessen the arcane tone, but the content seems complete. The elimination of a table of contents makes it difficult to identify chapters, but the clean-cut typeface is an enhancement. Fanelli's artwork doesn't have the flow and warmth of Graham Philpot's in the recent condensed version The Adventures of Pinocchio [BKL O 1 03]. In fact, though the work is inventive, it lacks broad child appeal, raising the question of audience for this slipcased, avant-garde interpretation; adult collectors of children's books may be the most appreciative readership. Certainly unusual, but not a must have. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (October 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763622613
• ISBN-13: 978-0763622619
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,460,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent!, March 29, 2010

By 

Walter Silva (Providence, RI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pinocchio (Hardcover)

What a great purchase... I wanted this book for the longest time but
it was Out of Print. Not only did I get a deal on the book the book was in pristine shape.
It was like being a kid at Christmas time all over again... what a great experience.

Sara Fanelli is the bomb... always a pleasure to see her work.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Incredible Edition, August 27, 2007

By 

Emma Hannon "<8O~" (Ireland) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pinocchio (Hardcover)

Incredible illustrations by Sarah Fanelli in this Carlo Collodi masterpiece.
A truly beautiful book.