Pinocchio [Hardcover]

Carlo Collodi (Author), Robert Ingpen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 31, 2005 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

The carpenter Gepetto has carved an extraordinary marionette called Pinocchio out of a special piece of wood. But what a scamp that Pinocchio turns out to be! He pulls off Gepetto's wig and races out the door in search of adventure. Pinocchio finds plenty, but he is so mischievous and so very disobedient that despite the advice of Cricket and the Blue Fairy, he always seems to land in trouble. Yet Pinocchio is also kindhearted and loving, traits that, if he can only learn to behave, may help him realize his dream of becoming a real boy. For over a hundred years, children have delighted in this tale, now in a handsome new edition for a new generation.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-7–The classic moral tale of the wayward puppet's quest to become a real boy is illustrated with Ingpen's richly textured pencil-and-watercolor artwork. A combination of full-page illustration and spreads, as well as numerous smaller pictures, depicts Pinocchio's adventures. Ingpen's color choices–primarily subdued neutral tones accented with bright hues–underscore the sense of play in a rather grim story. The bright-eyed marionette is portrayed as more mischievous than malicious–more naive than nasty. Even as a puppet, his posture and movements are that of an active, curious child. Likewise, the narration is lively and energetic and seasoned with subtle humor. The dark sides of the tale are not omitted, but the focus is on the adventure and on Pinocchio's redemption. Some of the modernization is unnecessary and awkward; for example, the Cat receives a telegram, rather than message, informing him that his child is ill. Overall, this is a handsome traditional edition of the story that will appeal to children. The Adventures of Pinocchio illustrated by Robert Innocenti (Creative Editions, 2005) is a more literary version with a stronger sense of the European setting, dramatic tension, and moral undertones. Sara Fanelli's version (Candlewick, 2003) offers a more contemporary collage-style interpretation.–Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-5. Ingpen, who won the 1986 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration, provides new art for the old favorite, adapting his version from a translation by Carol Della Chiesa. A progressive series of 32 little pictures of Pinocchio, from log to "real boy," economically relates the stages and events from the story in miniature on the endpapers, while within, the large format of the book allows the artist plenty of space to elaborate. From small vignettes to full-page and even double-page pictures, Ingpen's well-composed paintings illustrate the classic tale with tenderness, dramatic force, and more than a little humor. Beautifully designed, the book features a series of fine, original illustrations reproduced on thick, glossy pages. Changes from the original Della Chiesa translation of the text appear to be minor. This lively, handsome edition belongs in most libraries. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 136 pages
• Publisher: Purple Bear Books (August 31, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933327006
• ISBN-13: 978-1933327006
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,933,064 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully illustrated!, August 21, 2009

By 

Laura L. Lund - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pinocchio (Hardcover)

Robert Ingpen's illustrations make a lovely addition to Collodi's classic work. I'm sure the pictures helped my children enjoy this book more than if I'd purchased a less expensive version.