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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head><script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/bundle-playback.js?v=HxkREWBo" charset="utf-8"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/wombat.js?v=txqj7nKC" charset="utf-8"></script> <script>window.RufflePlayer=window.RufflePlayer||{};window.RufflePlayer.config={"autoplay":"on","unmuteOverlay":"hidden"};</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/_static/js/ruffle/ruffle.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> __wm.init("https://web.archive.org/web"); __wm.wombat("http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Italy&where=country%3D%27Italy%27","20050908081155","https://web.archive.org/","web","/_static/", "1126167115"); </script> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/banner-styles.css?v=S1zqJCYt" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/_static/css/iconochive.css?v=3PDvdIFv" />  <title>Italy</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> </head> <body> <table cellpadding="10" width="100%"> <tr> <td width="200" bgcolor="#CCFFCC" valign="top"> <form action="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens"> <input name="searchText" type="text" size="15"> <input type="submit" value="Search"> </form> Year (in White Ravens) <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+1993&where=year%3D1993">1993</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+1994&where=year%3D1994">1994</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+1995&where=year%3D1995">1995</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+1996&where=year%3D1996">1996</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+1997&where=year%3D1997">1997</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+1998&where=year%3D1998">1998</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+1999&where=year%3D1999">1999</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+2000&where=year%3D2000">2000</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+2001&where=year%3D2001">2001</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+2002&where=year%3D2002">2002</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+2003&where=year%3D2003">2003</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=White+Ravens+2004&where=year%3D2004">2004</a> Country <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Albania&where=country%3D%27Albania%27">Albania</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Argentina&where=country%3D%27Argentina%27">Argentina</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Australia&where=country%3D%27Australia%27">Australia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Austria&where=country%3D%27Austria%27">Austria</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Belgium&where=country%3D%27Belgium%27">Belgium</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Belorussia&where=country%3D%27Belorussia%27">Belorussia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Bohemia&where=country%3D%27Bohemia%27">Bohemia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Bosnia-Herzegovina&where=country%3D%27Bosnia-Herzegovina%27">Bosnia-Herzegovina</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Brazil&where=country%3D%27Brazil%27">Brazil</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Bulgaria&where=country%3D%27Bulgaria%27">Bulgaria</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Cameroon&where=country%3D%27Cameroon%27">Cameroon</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Canada&where=country%3D%27Canada%27">Canada</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Chile&where=country%3D%27Chile%27">Chile</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Colombia&where=country%3D%27Colombia%27">Colombia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Croatia&where=country%3D%27Croatia%27">Croatia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Cyprus&where=country%3D%27Cyprus%27">Cyprus</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Czech+Republic&where=country%3D%27Czech+Republic%27">Czech Republic</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Denmark&where=country%3D%27Denmark%27">Denmark</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Egypt&where=country%3D%27Egypt%27">Egypt</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Finland&where=country%3D%27Finland%27">Finland</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=France&where=country%3D%27France%27">France</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Germany&where=country%3D%27Germany%27">Germany</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Ghana&where=country%3D%27Ghana%27">Ghana</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Great+Britain&where=country%3D%27Great+Britain%27">Great Britain</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Greece&where=country%3D%27Greece%27">Greece</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Greenland&where=country%3D%27Greenland%27">Greenland</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Guinea&where=country%3D%27Guinea%27">Guinea</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Hungary&where=country%3D%27Hungary%27">Hungary</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Iceland&where=country%3D%27Iceland%27">Iceland</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=India&where=country%3D%27India%27">India</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Iran&where=country%3D%27Iran%27">Iran</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Ireland&where=country%3D%27Ireland%27">Ireland</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Israel&where=country%3D%27Israel%27">Israel</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Italy&where=country%3D%27Italy%27">Italy</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Ivory+Coast&where=country%3D%27Ivory+Coast%27">Ivory Coast</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Japan&where=country%3D%27Japan%27">Japan</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Jordan&where=country%3D%27Jordan%27">Jordan</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Kenya&where=country%3D%27Kenya%27">Kenya</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Latvia&where=country%3D%27Latvia%27">Latvia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Lebanon&where=country%3D%27Lebanon%27">Lebanon</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Lithuania&where=country%3D%27Lithuania%27">Lithuania</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Mali&where=country%3D%27Mali%27">Mali</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Mexico&where=country%3D%27Mexico%27">Mexico</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Mongolia&where=country%3D%27Mongolia%27">Mongolia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Mordoviya&where=country%3D%27Mordoviya%27">Mordoviya</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Morocco&where=country%3D%27Morocco%27">Morocco</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Namibia&where=country%3D%27Namibia%27">Namibia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=New+Zealand&where=country%3D%27New+Zealand%27">New Zealand</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Nigeria&where=country%3D%27Nigeria%27">Nigeria</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Norway&where=country%3D%27Norway%27">Norway</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Palestine&where=country%3D%27Palestine%27">Palestine</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Philippines&where=country%3D%27Philippines%27">Philippines</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Poland&where=country%3D%27Poland%27">Poland</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Portugal&where=country%3D%27Portugal%27">Portugal</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Republic+of+China&where=country%3D%27Republic+of+China%27">Republic of China</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Republic+of+China+%28Taiwan%29&where=country%3D%27Republic+of+China+%28Taiwan%29%27">Republic of China (Taiwan)</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Republic+of+Korea&where=country%3D%27Republic+of+Korea%27">Republic of Korea</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Romania&where=country%3D%27Romania%27">Romania</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Russia&where=country%3D%27Russia%27">Russia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Serbia&where=country%3D%27Serbia%27">Serbia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Slovakia&where=country%3D%27Slovakia%27">Slovakia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Slovenia&where=country%3D%27Slovenia%27">Slovenia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=South+Africa&where=country%3D%27South+Africa%27">South Africa</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Spain&where=country%3D%27Spain%27">Spain</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Swaziland&where=country%3D%27Swaziland%27">Swaziland</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Sweden&where=country%3D%27Sweden%27">Sweden</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Switzerland&where=country%3D%27Switzerland%27">Switzerland</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Tanzania&where=country%3D%27Tanzania%27">Tanzania</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=The+Netherlands&where=country%3D%27The+Netherlands%27">The Netherlands</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Tunisia&where=country%3D%27Tunisia%27">Tunisia</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Turkey&where=country%3D%27Turkey%27">Turkey</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Ukrania&where=country%3D%27Ukrania%27">Ukrania</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Uruguay&where=country%3D%27Uruguay%27">Uruguay</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=USA&where=country%3D%27USA%27">USA</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Venezuela&where=country%3D%27Venezuela%27">Venezuela</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Zimbabwe&where=country%3D%27Zimbabwe%27">Zimbabwe</a> Language <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Afrikaans&where=language%3D%27Afrikaans%27">Afrikaans</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Albanian&where=language%3D%27Albanian%27">Albanian</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Arabic&where=language%3D%27Arabic%27">Arabic</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Basque&where=language%3D%27Basque%27">Basque</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Bulgarian&where=language%3D%27Bulgarian%27">Bulgarian</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Catalan&where=language%3D%27Catalan%27">Catalan</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Chinese&where=language%3D%27Chinese%27">Chinese</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Croatian&where=language%3D%27Croatian%27">Croatian</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Czech&where=language%3D%27Czech%27">Czech</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Danish&where=language%3D%27Danish%27">Danish</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Danish%2FInuit&where=language%3D%27Danish%2FInuit%27">Danish/Inuit</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Dutch&where=language%3D%27Dutch%27">Dutch</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=English&where=language%3D%27English%27">English</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=English%2FCree&where=language%3D%27English%2FCree%27">English/Cree</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Europe&where=language%3D%27Europe%27">Europe</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Finnish&where=language%3D%27Finnish%27">Finnish</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Flemish&where=language%3D%27Flemish%27">Flemish</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=French&where=language%3D%27French%27">French</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=French%2FGerman&where=language%3D%27French%2FGerman%27">French/German</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Frisian&where=language%3D%27Frisian%27">Frisian</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Gaelic&where=language%3D%27Gaelic%27">Gaelic</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=Galician&where=language%3D%27Galician%27">Galician</a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=German&where=language%3D%27German%27">German</a> <a 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href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908081155/http://www.icdlbooks.org/servlet/WhiteRavens?title=In ICDL&where=inicdl=1">In ICDL</a> </td> <td valign="top"> <center> <h2>Italy</h2> 145 books     </center> Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 119 Ambrogi, Silvano Il ritorno degli alberi perduti (The Retum of the Lost Trees) Firenze: Le Monnier, 1992. 168 p. ISBN 88-00-33096-7 biography-Socrates-Greek history (470-399 B.C.) Ambrogi normally writes for the "Corriere della Sera." In this book he turns his back on journalism and invents a fantastic world in which, thanks to the wonders of technology, mankind's memory of nature is effectively extinguished completely. An icy orderliness dominates. The plants which have survived on other planets return, restoring emotions and disorder again. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 120 Baum, L. Frank (text) Costa, Nicoletta (illus.) Il mago di Oz (The Wizard of Oz) Pordenone: C'era una volta, 1992. 56 p. modern fairy tale - USA - friendship - magic The fascination of this adventurous journey in Kansas seems to become stronger from generation to generation. The craze in Italy has now extended to the picture book. The text was somewhat simplified and shortened, the pictures newly created by the increasingly successful illustrator Nicoletta Costa from Triest, who remains faithful to her naive style here. Special praise is due the publishing house C'era una volta for producing highly artistic original editions which would be too financially risky for larger publishers. (4+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 121 Baia delle Favole (Fairy Tale Bay) Genova: Feguagiskia' studios, 1992. 179 p. modern fairy tale For the last 25 years, the spa community of Sestri Levante has awarded Italy's most important prize for fairy tales, the "Premio Sestri Levante H.C. Andersen." On the occasion of its anniversary, this anthology has appeared, presenting a veritable treasure house for collectors of contemporary fairy tales. Among the winners of the last quarter century are such prominent authors as Giovanni Arpino (1971), Silvano Pezzetta (1974) and Alberto Moravia (1976), 1977's winner Italo Calvino wrote an especially extraordinary as well as quite realistic story: l disegni arrabbiati (The Evil Drawings). The girl Lodolinda's moods and the kinship with sheep, clouds and cauliflower appear in addition to Federico's mad ideas, one of which - to put the goldfish in the dishwasher - Lodolinda can prevent only with great difficulty. Never I have read such an pertinent and fast-paced description of children. Altogether imaginative and outstanding texts, even if the opinion of the individual authors about the form of the contemporary fairy tale diverges widely. Italian humor and a feeling for Italy's great fairy tale tradition break into the most surprising blossoms here. (6+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 122 Carlo, Anna De (text/illus.) Tod e la musica (Tod and Music) Milano: Fabbri, 1992. [28] p. ISBN 88-450-4027-5 music A new talent has emerged on the Italian picture book scene. With lots of verve, strong colors and a whirling protagonist (Tod the antbear) Anne De Carlo presents the history of music from its beginnings to the present day in only a few pages. For instance, the account of the folk music of different nations is remarkable. The figures are so cheeky, the text so funny that young readers will not even notice how much they are learning. (4+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 123 Galeazzi, Andrea (ed.) Abbatiello, Antonella (illus.) Esopo, piccolo favole del bosco (Aesop's Short Fables from the Woods) Fierenze: Fatatrac, 1992. n.p. ISBN 88-85089-89-5 Fable-Aesop Without an instruction manual, this book would be impossible to understand: multicolored panels were imprinted with texts and pictures, When one finds the matching panels, puts them in the envelopes and turns them in the right rhythm all at the same time, then a fable appears in the windows. Beginning readers do not have to suppress their playful energy here. Due to its functionality and robustness, this is a successful variant of pop-up and game books. And with it, a successful start for the small and independent Florentiner publishing house with a series (called "Giradisco" = record player) which will hopefully continue. (3+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 124 Kucich, Ola Josie (<Proper name>) Milano: Editrice Nuovi Autori, 1992. 95 p. ISBN 88-7230-087-8 boy - puberty - affluent society Josie is a typical child of today's affluent society. He has everything a boy could wish for. But he is lonely. His parents, both successful in their professions, do not take much care of him. They cannot give him the love and attention he needs, the results of which are seen in his ambitious upbringing based on time investment - all of which combine to make Josie precocious. The problems arising from this situation are poignantly described. Kucich is a yet unknown author in Italy, She was born in Trento and has lived for many years in Fiume. She studied medicine and languages and was a lecturer in German language and literature at various schools and universifies. With this book she demonstrates great empathy for and commitment to the problems of young people. The dialogues are particularly convincing in style. One can anxiously await her next book. If she can lower the moral index finger a bit and polish the somewhat phlegmatic and placard-style writing, Kucich could establish herself as a young people's author not only in Italy. (11+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 125 Lazzarato, Francesca Ongini, Vinicio La fata della tuna (The Moon Fairy) Milant: A. Mondadori, 1992. 80 p. ISBN 88-04-36294-4 Legend (Philippines) – bilingual text This thin and inexpensive volume offers more than a mere collection of Philippino myths and legends. It presents a foreign culture in richly illustrated fashion appropriate for children. The introduction is bilingual (Italian/Tagalog). The book is expressly geared to native Philippinos and children of immigrants. In the appendix, particulars of the Philippines are vividly compared with those of Italy (Italy has 70,000 Philippino immigrants). In this way, prejudices and fears can be overcome. More children's book publishers could take this book as an example for using similar concepts to try to do justice to their multicultural society, thus making an important contribution to peaceful integration. (5-9) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 126 Melegari, Vezio Manuale dalle tre caravelle (Handbook of the Three Caravelles) Milano: A. Mondadori, 1992. 188 p. ISBN 88-04-35238-8 ships - adventure Vezio Melegari, an experienced and successful author of nonfiction for young people, has turned his attention to three-masted sailing ships (with the typical raised stern). One learns both exotic as well as historical details pertaining to this kind of legendary ship which Columbus used in his expeditions. (For example, the pines used in building the caravelles were felled only during winter nights at full moon.) It is astonishing how Melegari creates convincing suspense in this nonfiction. Graphic detail and an abundant combination of various kinds of pictures (each double page is illustrated!) make hearts not only of pirate fans beat faster. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 127 Molesini, Andrea (text) Maggioni, Federico (illus.) Il matto e l'ippopota (The Lunatic and the Hippopotamus) Milano: A. Mondadori, 1992. 61 p. ISBN 88-04-35704-5 modern fairy tale - fantasy The young Venetian author goes for broke in his fourth children's book: A lunatic with a helicopter hat and a hippopotamus go on an insane space journey where they meet the most incredible creatures and objects. The cosmic garlic-and- soap pizza is one of the more harmless phenomena, It seems Molesini wants to compete with the action of video games and TV advertising with his shrill prose (for children under 10 years). The results are noticeable. The only things which do not yet do justice to the great Italian tradition of children's books are its ideas and linguistic wit. (6-10) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 128 Pedrali, Giuseppe Donna di spade (The Woman of the Swords) Firenze: Sansoni, 1992. 264 p. ISBN 88-383-1408-X history - Charles I - Langobarden - Pavia The siege of Pavia forms the historic frame for this novel. With his established blend of historical facts, myths and literary subtleness, Pedrali has tried to write a sequel to his very successful novel Il tesoro del Bigatto. Although the "sword woman" will hardly achieve wide circulation, the book named after her still belongs to the highly recommendable publications of this kind for young people. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 129 Pitzorno, Bianca La bambina col falcons (The Girl and the Falcon) Firenze: Salani, 1992. 240 p. (Le linci) ISBN 88-7782-226-0 history - Crusades - siblings In the year 1215 the Christian world is awaiting the crusades promised repeatedly by the pope but invariably delayed. Costanza and Melisenda, two quite dissimilar sisters, are the protagonists of this historical novel. Their quarrels, their hopes, their diverse talents and their moments of happiness are described in Pitzorno's 33rd novel (if we have counted correctly). What is remarkable is that girls always play the main role in all the books of this author. In addition, it is not the great moments of world history which are the focus, but the private lives of young people. (9+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 130 Pitzorno, Bianci Sulle tracce del tesoro scomparso (Following the Tracks of the Lost Treasure) Milano: A. Mondadori, 1992. 276 p. ISBN 88-04-36085-2 archaeology - treasure hunt - Sardinia This is a strongly autobiographically shaded novel by Pitzorno, who has studied archaeology. Here she depicts the adventures of two sisters who are allowed to take part in the excavations on Sardinia, The trouble comes when a precious, prehistoric vase disappears from the small museum. One sister hunts for the vase, the other searches for a mysterious treasure which plays an important role in a legend. Pitzorno skillfully links the girls' personal experiences with turbulent events which keep the whole village in suspense. (11+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 131 Piumini, Roberto (text) Mariniello, Cecco (illus.) Non piangere, cipolla (Don't Cry, Onion) Milano: A. Mondadori, 1992. 64 p. ISBN 88-04-36290-1 poetry - food A book as a restaurant: "Welcome, friend, to this restaurant. Here you will find fine, healthy and nutritious food: food for the mouth, the eyes, the ears and the mind," Thus Italy's most original living children's book author introduces this thin volume of poetry which revolves exclusively around food. Piumini limits himself to the basic foods and Italy's most common dishes (pastas- ciutta, pizza, polenta, risotto etc.). But he does it in such a devoted way that the reader feels like having these simple but savory dishes. This book is a real treat in every way, above all in its relishing of language. (5-10) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 132 Tamaro, Susanna (text) Ross, Tony (illus.) Cuore di Ciccia (A Heart Made of Fat) Milano: A. Mondadori, 1992. 107 p. ISBN 88-04-35796-7 food - obesity - fantasy The refrigerator is Michele's best friend. All the agonizing diets decreed by his mother cannot destroy this friendship. The conflict increases, however, and Michele escapes into an imaginary world where he successfully accomplishes an heroic deed which restores his lost self-confidence. The moral of the story is clear: external appearance is not so important. Here external appearance is reenacted in a fanciful way. The book can give children the strength to accept their looks and to fortify themselves against all sorts of teasing. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 1993 - 133 Ventura, Piero (text/illus.) I vestiti (Clothing) Milano: A. Mondadori, 1992. 65 p. ISBN 88-04-35810-6 clothing What were the first clothes made of? What color were Romans' shoes? These and many other questions are resolved in the popular drawings of Piero Ventura, the most well-known and most successful Italian illustrator. The fashions in vogue in the different epochs offer his graphic talent splendid stimulation. A comprehensive index illustrates the astonishing development of clothing from a functional protection against cold and dust to a totally superfluous catwalk extravagance. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 144 Baldassarri, Guido (text) Maggioni, Federico (illus.) Olleitlas che parlava all'incontrario (Olleitlas, Who Spoke Backwards) Milano: Mondadori, 1992. 102 S. (junior + 10; 29) ISBN 88-04-35798-3 Child - Abduction - Adventure Ever since Saltiello (Olleitlas) had a fall, he speaks words the other way around, is captured by a collector of monsters, and is pursued by the dog-man Dogherman halfway around the world. After many grotesque adventures, he finally lands at home again. This ingenious story is accompanied by equally unusual, graphically remarkable black-and-white illustrations. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 145 Carpi, Pinin (text) Rescaldani, Marilena (illus.) I lupi di mare della Grande Luna (The Water Rats of the Grande Luna) Milano: A. Vallardi, 1992. 140 S. ISBN 88-11-97335-X Ship Travel - Orphan - Magic - Adventure The three-master, of which Beppe is - against his will - captain, is an island of happiness for many children thanks to two magicians who want to save them all from landing in an orphanage. Travelling and fleeing from port to port, they experience the strangest adventures and hear the most unusual stories. This fantastic book of adventures, written by one of the renown Italian writers for children, is illustrated with delicately drawn black-and-white illustrations and colored, striking, artistically demanding full-sized pictures. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 146 Chiusano, Italo Alighiero La banda di Pipin Bertuccia (Pipin Bertuccia's Gang) Casale Monferrato: Piemme, 1993. 174 S. ISBN 88-384-1888-8 Orphan - Village - Youth Gang - Everyday Life This well-known author first told his own children this story about the 11-year-old Pipino, the orphan, who lives with his bird Bràcola, his dog Fefo and his grandmother in the country, about his daily life and his adventure with his friends. Now he is put it down in his first book for children. It is a pleasure to follow the classic style story, beginning with the introduction of the persons and their world, which takes its lessons from Collodi. (12+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 147 Lodi, Mario (text) Costa, Nicoletta (illus.) II soldatino del pim pum pà : poesie, filastrocche, favole (The Soldier of Pim-pum-pa: Poems, Rhymes and Tales) Trieste: Einaudi Ragazzi, 1993. 67 S. (Einaudi Ragaza / Storie e rime; 6) ISBN 88-7926-098-7 Italien/Lyric - Peace - Justice - Democracy Enchanting poems and short tales which deal with peace and true democracy, gathered together in a paperback with handsome illustrations. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 148 Nanetti, Angela (text) Nidasio, Grazia (illus.) Veronica ovvero "I gatti sono talmente imprebedibili!" Veronika oder "Die Katzen sind alle unberechenbar! ") (Veronica or "Cats are all unpredictable) Trieste: Emme, 1993. 94 p. ISBN 88-7927-156-3 Girl - Family - Cat Nine-year-old Veronika, furnished with an intolerable older sister, an unfaithful lover, relatively normal parents and a wonderful cat needs to adjust to her surroundings and establish her role in them. How she manages this is told by a frequent prize-winning author from the perspective of the heroine in a humorous, readable but yet discriminating language. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 149 Parmeggiano, Maria Laura II segreto del calicanto : una vita per la libertà ( The Secret of the Spice Bouquet: A Life for Freedom) Bergamo: Janus, 1993. 138 S. Italy/Occupation - Resistenza Bergamasca <1943-1945 > This historical novel tells of the resistance of the Italians against the German occupation after 1943, the "Resistenza Bergamasca", and its young heroine Adriana Locatelli in a fascinating manner. (12) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 150 Pitzorno, Bianca (text) Blake, Quentin (illus.) Polissena del Porcello (Polissena with the Piglet) Milano: Mondadori, 1993. 278 S. ISBN 88-04-37195-1 Girl - Adoption - Parent/Search - Identity crisis Adopting a boy's name, Polissena sets off to find her real parents. She is accompanied by the little vagabond Lucrezia and her trained animals, including a little pig. They fall into a society of the strangest varied people who all have something either clarifying or confusing to tell about Polissena's past. This novel is written in a clear, but not simple language, in which one surprise follows after the next; in addition, the publisher found it appropriate to commission one of the best English illustrators - Quentin Blake! (12+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 151 Piumini, Roberto (reteller) Bosnia, Nella (illus.) Giulietta e Romeo : da William Shake- speare (Julia and Romeo; adapted from W. Shakespeare) Trieste: Einaudi Ragazzi, 1991. 124 S. (Einaudi Ragazzi / Narrativa; 1) ISBN 88-7926-079-0 Romeo and Julia (retelling) Julia's name is intentionally place first in the title, deviating from Shakespeare's. Piumini tells the old tale more from the point of view of the girl, reducing it to the original novella length, letting it profit from a language whose clarity heightens the drama. The handsome illustrations in Neorenaissance style complement the text well. (12+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 152 Piumini, Roberto (text) Bosnia, Nella (illus.) II segno di Lapo (The Sign of Lapo) Trieste: Emaudi Ragazzi, 1992. 210 S. (Einandi Ragazzi I Narrativa; 8) ISBN 88-7926-078-2 Wedding Feast at Cana < Painting > - Painting - Fogery - Detective Story In the form of a detective story, the painting "Wedding Feast at Cana" by an old master is revealed to be a forgery by a group of youth, A pleasurable and easy to read story with handsome single-color illustrations. (12+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 153 Speri, Pietro Ric della montagna (Ric of the Mountains) Bergamo: Janus, 1993. 214 S. (Collana "le letture "; 42) Youth - Loneliness - Frienilship - Identity Crisis After the death of his grandfather, Riccardo lives, with the permission of his parents, alone in the mountains. His all-absorbing attention to Nature is interrupted when he becomes acquainted with three youths in a neighboring village. He learns to live in a community again. Speri's narration shows a fine sensibility for the psyche of youth, their yearning for pure nature, their search for an acceptable identity. (14+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 154 Venturi, Marcello (text) Bosnia, Nella (illus.) ColleFiorito (The Little City of Blumenberg) Trieste: Elle, 1993. 75 S. (Collana "le letture"; 70) ISBN 88-7068-544-6 Small Town - Railroad - Adventure This amusingly written and easy to read story deals with a dormant little city whose only variety is the railroad line whose trains and passengers seem to stimulate the fantasy of the inhabitants. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 155 Verne, Jules Faeti, Antonio (intro.) Cavattoni, Francesca (transl.) L'isola dello zio Robinson (Uncle Robinson's Island) Milano: Mondadori, 1991. 209 S. (Libri per ragaza) ISBN 88-04-36324-X Robinsonade In the city archives of Nantes, a previously unpublished manuscript by Jules Verne (with the title L'Oncle Robinson) was recently found and is published here for the first time - in Italian. Verne began to work on the text, which was intended for the magazine "Magasin d' éducation et de récreation", in 1861. But only later did a revised version appear with the title "The Mysterious Island." The original version remained unpublished until now. In view of the extraordinarioness of this discovery, the book is prefaced by an introduction by the internationally renown children's book research Antonio Faeti. Italy (Italian) - 1994 - 156 Ziliotto, Donatella (text) Nidasio, Grazia (illus.) Un chilo di piume, un chilo di piombo (A Kilo of Feathers, a Kilo of Lead) Trieste: Einaudi Ragazzi, 1992. 87 S. (Einaudi Ragazzi / Narrativa; 2) ISBN 88-7926-082-0 Triest - World War <1939-1945> - Child - Autobiography The well-known writer tells of her childhood during the Second World War in Triest in a readable and, in spite of its serious topic, witty language. Caricature black-and-white illustrations of remarkable quality enrichen the book. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 1995 - 119 Alberti, Rossella (text/illus.) Racconti dal Camerun (Tales from Cameroon) Pasian di Prato: Campanotto, 1994. 173 p. (Campanotto Narrativa; 40) Cameroon/Fairy tales - Cameroon/Fables Due to its multifaceted environment and heterogeneous population, Cameroon is also known as "little Africa." It also has a literature based on a rich, oral tradition. Fairy tales, fables arid stories from this corpus have been gathered together here by Rosella Alberti and arranged in capitals subsumed under different animals. The last chapter deals with human stories. Quite understandably, typical African animals (turtles, hyenas) play major roles but as in other cultures they embody certain basic archetypes (e.g. good and evil) and behaviors. (8+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 1995 - 120 Carpi, Pinin (text/illus.) Rescaldani, Marilena (illus.) Il fantasma che aveva paura dei fantasmi : e altre storie da ridere per la paura (The ghost who was afraid of ghosts and other stories to laugh at when afraid) Firenze: Giunti, 1994. 94 p. (Le fiabe fantastiche di Pinin Carpi; 6) ISBN 88-09-20500-6 Ghost - Spirits - Vampires A ghost which is afraid of other ghosts and a librarian who collects them. Very spooky, creepy and strange events take place in Pinin Carpi's tales. Vampires and ghosts in classical fluttering garb inhabit gloomy castles and vacant houses. But these eight tales are none too scary; they are no so much suited to causing fright as to creating laughs. This large-sized book is accompanied by numerous colored illustrations. Some of the tales were illustrated by the author himself. Italy (Italian) - 1995 - 121 Lazzarato, Franecsca (text) Costa, Nicoletta (illus.) L'esilio di re Salomone : storie, leggende e fiabe della tradizione ebraica (King Solomon's banishment: Stories, legends and tales from the Jewish tradition) Milano: Mondadori, 1994. 80 p. (Fiabe Junior; 8) ISBN 88-04-37722-4 Jews/Tales These short, sometimes anecdotal tales, legends and stories on a variety of themes are derived from the rich Jewish storytelling tradition. Nicoletta Costa has contributed simple and happy, at times poetic illustrations. An appendix contains concise details of the history, cultural tradition and current situation of Jews all around the world. Among the volumes already published in this paperback series, which was initiated to acquaint young readers with tales of many different cultures, are also, for example, tales from Senegal, the Philippines, etc. (9+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1995 - 122 Panini, Giorgio P. (text) Atlante di Mitologia (Atlas of Mythology) Milano: Mondadori, 1994. 128 p. With illustrations ISBN 88-04-38977-X Mythology - Legend This illustrated volume takes an unaccustomed glimpse at the mythology of various cultures and epochs by placing the mythological figures - the heroes - in the foreground. Two aspects of this work make it especially attractive: first, the term "myth" is interpreted so broadly that no only classic, e.g. Greek or Germanic, myths are included, but also new, literary ones, such as the heart-breaker Don Giovanni. (It would have made sense to include still-living myths of our modern society such as film stars). Secondly, the author has dispensed with a geographic or chronological order and instead arranged the figures of various origins together by theme or motif. This creates quite surprising cross-sections and allows interesting comparisons. For example, Achilles is to be found alongside Siegfried in the group of "the vulnerable;" and among the group of "those born in an unusual manner" one finds Orion and also Pinocchio. The volume is richly illustrated with pictures of art works, famous book illustrations, or scenes from films. Picture symbols make it easy for the reader to associate a figure with its origin. (14+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1995 - 123 Pitzorno, Bianca (text) Blake, Quentin (illus.) Diana Cupído e il Commendatore (Diana, Cupid and the Commander) Milano: Mondadori, 1994. 300 p. ISBN 88-04-38986-9 Sardinia/History 1950s/Everyday life - Small town - Puberty/Girl - Family Together with her mother and little sister, eleven-year-old Diana goes to live with her grandfather, a strange, affluent cinema owner in Sardinia. The novel depicts life in a small Italian town and the everyday life of a teenager and her three girlfriends (who the reader already encountered in Ascolta il mio cuore), who are in the midst of puberty, and their idolization of American film stars. Above all this is a tale about Italy in the 1950s: "Even refrigerators were seen as a real rarity. There were no supermarkets, no hamburgers, neither Coca Cola, nor disposable diapers or frozen foods" The author's talent lays in very apt descriptions with a distinctive choice of words in a dynamic and humorous style. The well-known illustrator Quentin Blake has contributed congenial black-and-white wash illustrations. (12+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1995 - 124 Quarzo, Guido (text) Fatus, Sophie (illus.) Zampe di gallina (Chicken feet) Firenze: Fatayrac, 1994. 64 p. ISBN 88-86228-25-2 Old Woman/Child - Chicken - Imagination - Storytelling In an old fairy tale - so the book begins - deep in the woods there is a hut standing on chicken feet and in it lives a witch who eats people as if they were chickens. But in this book there is a little house amidst the tall buildings and the loud traffic of a big city. While all the adults rush by blindly and have no idea that this house exists, the children ask what it is doing there. One day curious little Ulisse enters the house and makes friends with its occupants, a talking chicken and an old peculiar woman who can tell stories particularly well. And that is what the book, with its imaginative, brightly colored illustrations, is all about: stories and storytelling, the unlimited possibilities of the imagination. (6+) Italy (Ladin) - 1995 - 125 Rossi, Hugo de (text) D'Este, Alessandra (illus.) Chiocchetti, Fabio (transl.) La ziriola de Saslonch (The Nightingale of Saslong) Vich/Vigo di Fassa: Istitut Cultural Ladin, 1994. [28] p. (Conta Conties; 19) ISBN 88-86053-08-8 Fairy tale/Italy/Ladin - Princess - Metamorphosis - Nightingale - Knight - Lovesickness - Unrequited Love - Death A knight falls in love with a nightingale - in reality a princess who possesses the power of metamorphosis. The knight senses that something else is hiding within the bird, but because the princess does not reveal herself to him, his longings remain unfulfilled and he dies of lovesickness. Upon his death the princess loses her ability to change back into her human form. Hugo de Rossi, who did much to preserve the Ladin cultural heritage, wrote down this old tale in German at the turn of the century. The Ladin translation is graced with colored, naive illustrations by Alessandra d'Este. The publisher of this series, the Institute Cultural Ladin, has set itself the task of translating well-known and lesser-known tales and stories into the minority language of Ladin, thus making them available to a broader readership. (4+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 130 Soupault, Ré et Philippe (text) Yao, Li Zhong (illus.) Dragon bleu, Dragon jaune (Blue Dragon, Yellow Dragon) Paris: Père Castor Flammarion, 1995. [28] p. ISBN 2-08-160146-X Korea - Emperor - Painting The emperor of Korea commanded the best painter of the kingdom to paint two dragons as symbols of power and peace for the throne room. After considerable preparation the painter merely threw a blue and a yellow brush stroke on the silk canvas. At first this »work« made the emperor very angry. But then he recognized that the dynamics of the two lines had fully captured the nature of the dragons. This tale is taken from a collection by the Soupaults which is still popular today , »Stories of Wonder from Five Continents.« The Korean illustrator has supplied illustrations in the traditional style of his homeland. He demonstrates for children that the variety of artistic means extends even to absolute reduction. (6+) Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 131 Vénuleth, Jacques (text) Diet, Robert (illus.) Les pierres du silence (The Stones of Silence) Paris: Hachette, 1995. 188 p. ISBN 2-01-321311-5 Israel - Jewish-Arab Conflict - Palestine - Intifada - Mutism - Diary In a psychiatric clinic in Jerusalem a young girl begins to keep a diary. As a Palestinian from an Arabic village in Israel, and hence a citizen of Israel, who goes to a boarding school in Switzerland, she has had trouble to admit her own identity. After experiencing a violent act of revenge by Jewish soldiers against the Intifada during a visit to her village, she had fallen mute from the shock. The reader follows her painful process of healing and self-discovery in the course of her diary. This highly literary work of fiction enables a deeper understanding for a conflict-ridden chapter in contemporary history. (13+) ☆ (Grand Prix du Livre pour la Jeunesse (for the manuscript) 1994) Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 133 Buongiorno, Teresa (text) Nidasio, Grazia (illus.) Olympos. Diario di una dea adolescente (Olympos. Diary of an Adolescent Goddess) Firenze: Salani, 1995. 231 p. (Gl'Istrici; Istrice Sapiens; 95) ISBN 88-7782-382-8 Greece/Classical Age - Mythology - Hebe - Growing up - Diary Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Hera and the goddess of youth, feels it is a burden to be condemned to eternal youth. The young girl tells here of her search for identity and of everyday life and various adventures on Olympus. The members of the extended divine family prove themselves to be very human, whimsical, cantankerous and moody. A decisive turn in Hebe's life comes when she falls in love with Heracles and becomes his wife. This entertaining story is told by Hebe herself in diary form, divided into 90 chapters which read like episodes of a mythological soap opera. (12+) Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 134 Davico Bonino, Guido (ed.) Lazzarato, Francesca (ed.) Canottiere, Lorena (illus.) Sartoni, Lorenzo (illus.) Il Girotondo degle Spiriti Allegri. Fiabe di morte, santi e diavoli (The Roundelay of Happy Spirits. Tales of Death, Saints and Devils) Milano: Mondadori, 1995. 142 p. (Tutto è fiabe) ISBN 88-04-39879-5 Italy/Folk tales - Death - Devil - Demons - Saints Traditional folk tales and legends from various regions of Italy have been gathered together in this collection and translated or retold in the modern vernacular. This book is one of a new series by the publisher Mondadori in which individual volumes group together stories by theme or geographical region, for example, tales about talking animals, tricksters and magicians, tales from Ireland or the tales of Native Americans. (8+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 135 Dell'Oro, Erminia (text) Mariniello, Cecco (illus.) La pianta magica (The Magic Plant) Trieste: E. Elle, 1995. 66 p. (Le letture; 93) ISBN 88-7068-751-1 Set in Eritrea, this is a story about a plant named Winta, which has magical powers. It can attract clouds and make the rain fall wherever water is especially needed. In the Spring of 1994 Winta is picked by an ignorant tourist and brought to Italy. A bird sets off to find it again. This book, a mixture of fairy tale, history and legends from Eritrea, is dedicated by the author to the children of this east African country as well as all the children who must endure the great sufferings of war. (9+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 136 Gandolfi, Silvana (text) Orecchia, Giulia (illus.) Occhio al gatto! (Beware of Cat!) Firenze: Salani, 1995. 207 p. (Gl'Istrici; 100) ISBN 88-7782-340-2 Venice - Cat - Odyssee - Detective story It is surely no coincidence that Virgilio, the tom-cat, is named after Dante's guide through the underworld. This book views Venice, its canals, bridges and dark doorways, from a cat's perspective - along with the boy named Dante, who after imbibing a magical chocolate drink has power to see with the eyes of a cat. The boy becomes involved in a kidnapping and discovers the evil side of supposedly unsuspicious persons. Characteristic for this adventure story is the intrusion of phantasy elements in everyday life and the things behind the mask of appearances. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 137 Lavatelli, Anna (text) Zahradka, Mirek (illus.) Il cannone Bum! (The Cannon Boom!) Casale Monferrato: Piemme, 1995. [64] p. (Il battello a vapore / Serie bianca; 13) ISBN 88-384-3413-1 War/Peace - Old age At the end of the war Boom, the cannon, is put in mothballs. At first still a celebrity, it soon is forgotten. After a long time has passed, it is discovered again by a circus director and given a new, peaceable and merry-making function in it's old days. The story of Boom is a story against war, but also about old age and the often thoughtless manner of dealing with people and things that no longer seem to have any use. The cheerful color illustrations in mixed media are a highly appropriate complement to the text. (6+) Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 138 Lazzarato, Francesca (adapt.) Galloni, Adelchi (illus.) La novantanovesima moglie del re. Fiabe e leggende della tradizione nigeriana (The King's Ninety-ninth Wife. Traditional Tales and Legends from Nigeria) Milano: Mondadori, 1995. 79 p. (Fiabe Junior) ISBN 88-04-39906-6 Nigeria/Tales - Nigeria/Legends This is one of the titles of an exemplary paperback series which presents the tales, fables, and legends of various peoples and countries, providing the opportunity to look beyond one's own narrow (eurocentric) borders and discover and understand better foreign cultures. This volume is dedicated to the west African country of Nigeria, a land marked by the co-habitation of very different peoples, which has been in the public eye recently above all with negative headlines. Accompanied by colored illustrations, this volume collects myths of origins, animal tales and other brilliant short stories. In an appendix the reader will find supplemental information about Nigeria. (10+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 139 Montanari, Massimo (text) Luzzati, Emanuele (illus.) Il pentolino magico (The Little Magic Pot) Bari: Laterza, 1995. vii, 118 p. ISBN 88-420-4739-2 Food/History - Eating/History The Grimms' fairy tale »The sweet porridge« prompted the author to write this stimulating and entertaining book which explores in 34 chapters the topics of food and eating, both of which have played a fundamental role in all cultures in all ages, whether in the creation myths, religious texts, cult rites, literature, in celebrations or in everyday life. Human history is in no small way a history of hunger and sacrifice, of surplus and of lust for eating. Massimo Montanari's texts offer a richly varied mixture of stories, documentation, myths, legends and historical accounts. The palette offers, among other things, stories of the tree of life, miracle stories from the Bible about the appearance of food and drink or the corn people myths of the Mayas. Furthermore other topics such as the land of Cockaigne, the discovery of the potato and the cocoa bean, table manners, seasonings and flavorings, beer and tortellini. It is remarkable how many connections and parallels in cultural history can be discovered. The book is enhanced by numerous colorful, vivid pictures in mixed media, primarily in pastel crayons and paper collages. The beginning of each chapter is graced with an original anthropomorphic initial letter. (12+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 140 Piumini, Roberto Denis del pane (Denis of Bread) Trieste: Einaudi Ragazzi, 1995. 232 p. (Narrativa; 39) ISBN 88-7936-160-6 In the Middle Ages the mill considered the focal point of rural life since everyone had to go there sooner or later, even a child. When Denis, a nameless foundling, arrives there, the miller brothers Gustav and Francois Tabin agree to take him in. Denis's best friend is Freut, a mongrel dog, and together they have many adventures which shape his development as much as the bread sculptures, knights, and mysterious letters. The author skillfully develops the story to give a vivid picture of life during those times. (11+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 141 Stanisci, Andrea (text) Ricci, Stefano (illus.) Don Giovanni. Doppio giallo (Don Giovanni. A double detective story) Firenze: Salani, 1995. 119 p. (Gl'Istrici; Istrici della Ribalta; 96) ISBN 88-7782-373-9 Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus - Reality/Fiction - Opera house - Detective story Inspector Gustav and his assistant finally have a »real« case to solve. Signor Francesco, the main actor of Mozart's opera »Don Giovanni« has disappeared without a trace. During their investigations at the opera house the both discover strange parallels between the plot of the opera and the life of the singers. Reality and fiction are so interwoven that in the end they prove to be inseparable, and even the case remains shrouded in mysterious darkness. In the new series »Istrici della Ribalta« young readers become acquainted with the world classics of literature in a very unconventional manner. (12+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1996 - 142 Tamaro, Susanna (text) Ross, Tony (illus.) Il cerchio magico (The Magic Circle) Milano: Mondadori, 1995. 117 p. (Contemporanea) ISBN 88-04-39613-X Wolf's child - Forest - Threat - Destruction - Nature - Civilization Like Romulus and Remus, Rick has been nursed by a she-wolf in the only space left open in a big city. This idyllic life takes an abrupt turning point when some men, greedy for wealth and without scruples, decide to cut down the unexplored wood, »il cerchio magico«. As a result Rick's mother, the she-wolf, is killed and the boy is forced to enter the aggressive world of human beings. Acting resolutely and with the help of some human friends and animals, Rick succeeds in saving the »cerchio magico«. With its well-constructed plot and welldrawn characters, the story's setting seems very realistic and plausible. (11+) Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 142 Argilli, Marcello (text) Cimatoribus, Alessandra (illus.) Alla signorina Elle con tanto affetto (To Miss »L« with love) Firenze: Fatatrac, 1996. 63 p. (I nuovi ottagoni; 12 : Dire fare giocare) ISBN 88-86228-74-0 Language - Alphabet - Wordplay This book includes eight fantasy tales based on language and alphabet. The main characters are spelling, pronunciation, syntactical and grammatical mistakes, which experience adventures within various puns. Together they form a lively story reminiscent of Rodari's, Gianni »Il libro degli errori«. While ignoring the school standards of proper speech and writing, lingustic knowledge is subtly conveyed, letting children realize that it is possible to play and have fun with words. The book's aesthetically pleasing design presents the puns with extraordinary charm. The bright and expressive illustrations, some using lettering and collage techniques, employ strong contrasts in line and color. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 143 Bellot, Gina (text) Pasini, Marilena (illus.) La torta storta. Rime & filastrocche (The crooked cake. Nursery rhymes and verses) Roma: Nuove Edizioni Romane, 1996. 56 p. (Nuova biblioteca dei ragazzi; 15: Poesia) ISBN 88-85990-35-5 Poetry/Italian - Children's rhymes This collection of 41 short nursery rhymes includes a full range of creativity, emotions, thought, feeling, nonsense and limerick. The book makes pleasant and light-hearted reading sustained by amusement and poetry, smile and memory. The alternating color and black-and-white illustrations scan the rhyming couplet's rhythm, suggesting new graphic inventions. (6+) Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 144 Bindi Mondaini, Donatella (text) Mariniello, Cecco (illus.) Un coniglio nel cappello (A rabbit in the hat) Trieste: Edizioni EL, 1996. 87 p. (Le letture; 105) ISBN 88-7068-997-2 Appearance - Social expectations - Only child - Friendship Twelve-year-old Silvia is too tall and too slim, has red hair and a freckled nose, and what's more she is an only child. But Silvia has many friends, including one with an enviable family of many children where she spends a lot of time. One day Silvia meets a friendly old magician and from that moment on her life is filled with adventures, unexpected events and new acquaintances. The tale brings out children's difficulty of accepting their physical differences and shows a way to overcome problems of communication, especially with adults. (5+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 145 Conte, Tonino (text) Luzzati, Emanuele (illus.) Genova, una città in 20 storie (Genoa, a city in 20 tales) Roma: Laterza, 1996. 111 p. ISBN 88-420-5099-7 Genoa/History The author invites the reader on a voyage of discovery through the city of Genoa, past and present. He tells about its maritime tradition (Genoa was one of four Italian maritime republics), its legendary heroes, the architecture of its noble palaces and cultural festivals. He takes the reader on an enchanting walk through the ancient atmosphere of its streets, in search of the city's soul, which reveals itself in the intimate relationship with the sea. Blue prevails over all other colors in expressing the pervasive water of the sea that shapes the city's identity. In the illustrations Luzzati lavishes his enchanting chromatism and mastery of scene-settings to give a constituent lightness to the cityscape. His endless imagination lets him combine every possible kind of graphic technique. (12+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 146 Lazzarato, Francesca (adapt.) Galloni, Adelchi (illus.) L'elefante di pietra. Fiabe e favole della tradizione indiana (The stone elephant. Tales and legends from India) Milano: Mondadori, 1996. 79 p. (Fiabe Junior; 11) ISBN 88-04-41545-2 India/Tales - India/Legends The author continues her work of acquainting children with folktales from foreign cultures, choosing for this collection some of the most important traditional tales and legends of India. As usual, the anthology is supplemented by a documentary appendix consisting of concise and easily understood information and maps of the Indian subcontinent's history and geography, and in this way illustrating India's complicated religious and linguistic diversity, traditions, customs, and art styles for a better understanding of folktales. The text is complemented by watercolor illustrations which succeed in rendering the enchanting atmosphere of the Orient. (9+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 147 Lazzarato, Francesca (adapt.) Ziliotto, Donatella (adapt.) Carrer, Chiara (illus.) Manuale del cacciatore di fantasmi (Handbook for ghost-hunters) Firenze: Salani, 1996. 115 p. ISBN 88-7782-499-9 Ghost - Horror - Short stories The best way of overcoming one's fear of ghosts is to hunt them, and with this »handbook« the authors supply information on how to become a »perfect ghost hunter«. The book includes short tales, legends, traditions, tricks and games for parties, all related to horror. Fear in all its forms (place, sound, color) is faced, showing that you can have fun with it. The black-and-white pendrawings capture important moments of suspense and drama. (10+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 148 Luciani, Domenica (text) Luciani, Roberto (illus.) Cinema segreto (Filming secrets) Firenze: Giunti, 1996. 190 p. (Giunti Ragazzi Universale; 19) ISBN 88-09-20867-6 Video camera - Film - Everyday life - Observation - Friendship Sara and Marina are friends who share a common passion for films, both seeing and making them. With Sara's father's video camera they decide to make a movie about their families' everyday life. Unknown to everyone, the two girls film, among other things, Sara's sister running away from home, her boyfriend in love with an older woman or a party of Sara's parents. The girls spy on grown-ups and reveal their secret and hypocritical behaviors, collecting the evidence in a new form of audio-video-electronic diary. For each event there is a congenial reference to characters and motifs from famous recent films (such as »Beauty and the Beast« or »Jurassic Park«). The author's appealing use of language, imitating the idiom spoken by today's teenagers, achieves highly witty effects. (11+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 149 Mignone, Sebastiano Ruiz (text) Frasca, Simone (illus.) Guidone Mangiaterra e gli sporcaccioni (Guidone the Earth-eater and the filthy slobs) Casale Monferrato: Piemme, 1996. 128 p. (Il battello a vapore, Serie azzurra; 22) ISBN 88-384-3522-7 Italy/Folktale - Fairy tale - Curse - Odor - Filth - Adventure - Love - Courage - Justice Lovely Rita is supposed to marry Gardenio III Profumo, the prince of the Kingdom of Profumino. But then, out of spite, a filthy Slob (Sporcaccione) succeeds in making her stomach rumble with »embarrassing noises«. In search of a good doctor, the much underestimated little Guidone sets off on an adventurous journey full of unexpected encounters, dramatic moments and Sporcaccioni's evil traps. The tale belongs to the fantasy genre, with a prince, an enchanted beauty, a strange witch and a wicked wizard who resemble the characters of classical fairy tales. The author brings together with proportion and gaiety figures from the folklore of Italy's different regions in a felicitous combination of prose and verse. (7+) (Premio Andersen 1996 for age group 6 to 9) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 150 Nanetti, Angela (text) D'Altan, Paolo (illus.) Mistero sull'isola (Mystery on the island) Trieste: Einaudi Ragazzi, 1996. 133 p. (Narrativa; 54) ISBN 88-7926-216-5 Island - Loneliness - Family conflict - Abduction - Growing up Dario leads a very lonely life on an island which comes alive only during the summer months. But his hope for a dangerous adventure is fulfilled when he becomes suspicious of a boat's illegal cargo and the strange signals coming from a mysterious villa. When he starts to investigate, Dario gets into trouble and his father's vineyards are set on fire, forcing him to face up to the reality of organized crime. This is a story of kidnapping but also of initiation into adulthood, the time to face one's parents and forgive their failures. The author's narrative style skilfully conveys the island's atmosphere of »omertà« (conspiracy of silence) and fear which is also well portrayed by the illustrator's quivering line-drawings. (11+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 151 Pratesi, Fulco (text) Maugeri, Stefano (illus.) Dalle caverne ai grattacieli. Gli italiani e l'ambiente (From caves to skyscrapers. Italians and the environment) Roma: Laterza, 1996. 158 p. (Laterza ragazzi) ISBN 88-420-5047-4 Environmental destruction/History - Environmental protection Human attacks on flora and fauna began already in the Paleolithic Age and have continued over the centuries, from an ever increasing deforestation for farming and settlements, right up to the presentday life-endangering level of pollution. Giving an interesting historical overview, this work also shows how to lead a more natural and respectful lifestyle. Even if we cannot turn back the course of time and disassemble our high-tech world, the author maintains that it is possible to halt the future destruction of nature. The drawings by Maugeri that complement the text have a touch of irony that encourages understanding and reflection. (12+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 152 Quarzo, Guido (text) Costa, Nicoletta (illus.) Marmellata di basilico (Basil jam) Trieste: Edizioni EL, 1996. 49 p. (Le letture; 101) ISBN 88-7068-915-8 Liguria - Village life - Tradition - School holidays - Grandmother - Environmental awareness Giulia spends her summer holidays with her grandmother in a fishing village with cottages encircled by thick green foliage laying below hills that drop to the sea dotted with many islets. In her imagination she sees also pirates and treasures to hunt. This is a short, witty and well-crafted tale of daydreams and wishes, which mixes realistic description with fantastic visions. It also features the conspiratorial tie between grandparents and grandchildren. Pencil drawings with joyful and captivating simplicity accompany the text. (6+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 153 Quarzo, Guido (text) Mariniello, Cecco (illus.) Ranocchi a merenda (Frogs for snacks) Casale Monferrato: Piemme, 1996. 49 p. (Il battello a vapore, Serie bianca; 15) ISBN 88-384-3415-8 Frog prince <motif> - Transformation - Adventure - Love - Friendship Once upon a time there was a lonely fairy who turned every frog she met into a prince - wrongly believing that they were all enchanted princes - in the hope of finding the prince of her dreams. But the poor frogs complained bitterly because, though they had the appearance of human beings, they still ate gnats and were unable to speak. At last one clever frog invited her to turn herself into a frog and join him in the pond. She did and they lived happily ever after. The amusing illustrations successfully harmonize with the author's singular, fluent style. (6+) ☼ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1997 - 154 Scuderi, Lucia (text/illus.) Hoplà (Oops!) Firenze: Fatatrac, 1996. [12] p. (Dalla parte degli animali) ISBN 88-86228-70-8 Chicken - Egg - Curiosity - Crocodile A chicken encounters a gigantic egg and tries to open it by force. Using its sharp beak as a tool, it gets the shock of its life when a grinning crocodile suddenly peeps out of the shell. This is the essence of the simple story which is told in only a few pictures and summarized on the last page in three sentences. The expressiveness of the chalk-drawn illustrations of this small-sized board book are most impressive. Lucia Scuderi reduces the story to its minimal elements. There is nothing more to see than a white chicken, an orange egg and a deep blue background. With no more than the perfectly captured postures and expressions of the chicken, the youngest reader will readily understand the plot. (3+) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 132 Argilli, Marcello (text) Manna, Giovanni (illus.) Il fantasma di Trastevere e altri racconti (The ghost of Trastevere and other tales) Firenze: Fatatrac, 1997. 72 p. (I nuovi ottagoni; 14) ISBN 88-86228-88-0 Rome/History - City life - Adventure These seven lively tales are woven around the city of Rome, with its ancient history, squares and buildings. In each story Rome is both setting and protagonist. With just the right balance between reality and imagination, each tale focuses on a real aspect of the city (such as a statue, a famous person, or even the Pope), allowing the legends and glorious moments of ancient Rome resurface. The historical and topographical information in these fantasy tales are well-matched by the pen-and-brush drawings depicting past and present scenes of Roman life. (9+) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 133 Buongiorno, Teresa (text) Nidasio, Grazia (illus.) Camelot. L'invenzione della Tavola Rotonda (Camelot. The invention of the Round Table) Firenze: Salani, 1997. 176 p. (Grand'istrice; 8) ISBN 88-7782-448-4 Round Table/Legend - King Arthur - Hero - Middle Ages The legend of King Arthur and his knights is retold here in the form of a fictitious manuscript containing diary-like entries by Merlin, Morgana, Arthur, Guinevere, Lancelot and Galahad as teenagers. Handing down the pen from one to the other, each character tells his own story and something of the others' from their own perspective. The use of a diary-style narrative is a successful choice because it appeals to teenage readers. It allows the adventurous tales of the Arthurian cycle to be told with adolscent eyes and values, while also conveying historical, mythical and literary knowledge of the Middle Ages. (11+) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 134 Cinquetti, Nicola (text) Rapaccini, Chiara (illus.) Eroi, re, regine e altre rime (Heroes, kings, queens and other rhymes) Roma: Nuove Edizioni Romane, 1997. 80 p. (Nuova biblioteca dei ragazzi; 20: Poesia) ISBN 88-85990-44-4 Children's poetry - Children's rhymes - Wordplay Achilles, Copernicus, Cicero, Penelope, Pasteur and Michelangelo are only some of the famous persons portrayed in these 54 poems. With a light and ironical touch, using puns and pithy expressions, the author invites children to make their acquaintance with these internationally known figures from history, mythology, science and art. This is a stimulating, enjoyable collection of verse, rhymed and unrhymed. Noteworthy are the black-and-white drawings which complement the text, highlighting its sharpness and lyricism. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 135 Fallai, Paolo (text) Scarpa, Laura (illus.) Le 3 chiavi (The 3 keys) Milano: Mondadori, 1997. 128 p. (Junior +10; 72 (Libri per ragazzi)) Father/Son - Friendship - Parental separation - Growing up - De Chirico/Painting When Andrea's father is accused of painting forgeries of De Chirico's paintings and arrested, the son decides to make his own investigations. Along the way he learns some things that shake his glowing image of his father. But three mysterious keys, which also have metamorphic significance, help to solve the dilemma and resolve his feelings: a budding romance, concern about his parents' separation, and his anxiety about growing up. The chronicle style narrative is structured as a thriller with plenty of suspense. (11+) (Premio Laura Orvieto 1996) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 136 Frasca, Simone Clara nella nebbia (Clara in the fog) Trieste: Ed. EL, 1997. 55 p. (Le letture; 110) ISBN 88-477-0052-3 Comics - Myopia Six-year old Clara loves comic-strip stories and spends most of her time reading them. Her family thinks that her absent-minded and dreamy behavior comes from her passion for comics and don't notice that the fog that seems to surround her existence is due to something else. Only when Clara's teacher discovers that she has a mild case of myopia does she get a pair of glasses that helps to solve this problem. This is an attractive story set between fantasy and reality, where the comic strip characters come out of the pages and chat with the child. The black-and-white sketches stimulate the reader's imagination. (6+) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 137 Gandolfi, Silvana (text) Orecchia, Giulia (illus.) L'isola del tempo perso (The island of lost time) Firenze: Salani, 1997. 256 p. (Gl'istrici: i libri che pungono la fantasia; 120) ISBN 88-7782-486-7 Time - Friendship - Adventure - Fantasy During a school trip Giulia and her bosom girlfriend, Arianna, get lost in an abandoned mine and suddenly find themselves on the island of lost time. This is a fantastic place where they encounter all sorts of things that are often lost on earth: keys and umbrellas, but also threads of conversation, memories, patience, and even people. The detailed and vivid narrative carries the reader into the dimension of »lost time«, thus revealing the importance of cultivating interests, friendship or even simply reading a book. This story is full of ingenious narrative tricks and suspense, complemented by excellent pen-and-ink drawings. (9+) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 138 Giardina, Andrea (text) Luzzati, Emanuele (illus.) La terribile storia de Nerone (The terrible tale of Nero) Bari: Laterza, 1997. 92 p. ISBN 88-420-5349-X Nero/Legend - Rome/History Telling the story of Emperor Nero's life is not an easy task, but the author provides an accurate and meticulous portrait of this merciless despot (37-68 A.D.). The most important stations in the emperor's life and career are set in the context of historical and cultural events, giving insight into his identity as a politician, poet and musician. Luzzati's colorful illustrations are daring and graphically experimental, done in caustic, clashing colors which heighten the dramatic power of the narrative, underlining Nero's cruelty. (12+) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 139 Lucchini, Matilde C'è una lettera per te (There is a letter for you) Milano: Mondadori, 1997. 79 p. (Shorts; 1) ISBN 88-04-42824-4 Adolescence - Work - School This short novel gives a detailed description of a typical day in the life of teenaged Maria. Because she never liked school, she now works as an apprentice at a hairdresser's shop and hopes to have her own beauty salon one day. The narrative's strength lies in its witty real-life dialogues and inner monologues, studded with an adolescent's hopes, conflicts and desires. The underlying message for the young reader suggests that one should not understimate a person's abilities to make the most of his life and talents. (12+) Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 140 Mariniello, Cecco (text/illus.) Il cane che ebbe tre nomi (The dog that had three names) Casale Monferrato: Piemme Junior, 1997. 91 p. (Il battello a Vapore / Serie oro; 3) ISBN 88-384-7403-6 Dog/Child - Friendship - Adventure - Growing up - Nature - Ecology During the colonial period in North America the daughter of the governor, Geneve, is given a dog. Though Lancillot becomes her best friend, the dog is turned out one day by her parents because it always comes home dirty. Lancillot sets off on a long series of adventures during which he experiences the marvels of nature of this sparsely inhabited continent. The cheerful, entertaining story closes on a happy note when Geneve and Lancillot meet again after many years. The attractive layout with warmly colored pictures captures the main events and the charm of the main character. (6+) (Premio Nazionale d'Illustrazione »Il battello a Vapore«. Città di Verbania 1996) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 141 Quarzo, Guido (text) Vivarelli, Anna (text) Carrer, Chiara (illus.) La coda degli autosauri (The long line of autosaurs) Casale Monferrato: Piemme, 1997. 154 p. (Il battello a Vapore / Serie arancio; 34) ISBN 88-384-3634-7 Traffic jam - City life - Conformity - Family One day the long line of cars on the motorway turns into such a traffic jam that movement comes to a complete standstill. Stuck in this huge traffic jam for twenty days with his family, suspended in time and space, Edoardo writes down in his diary all the extraordinary things that take place, such as his encounter with Mr. Leonardo, an eccentric scientist who descends from the sky with a hang glider. The story ends when the family decides to abandon their car and continue by foot, now finally aware of the need to reduce the automobile's domination over the cities and over their lives. This is an absorbing novel full of real-life dialogues and inner monologues, skilfully showing that children can be quite perceptive in their analysis of the adult world. The author's vivid, engaging and ironical style is an excellent match for the immediacy of the narrative. (9+) (Premio di Narrativa per l'Infanzia »Il Battello a Vapore« Città di Verbania 1996) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 142 Rapaccini, Chiara (text/illus.) Dammi un whisky, Samanta! (Bring me a whisky, Samanta!) Firenze: Giunti, 1997. 60 p. ([Giunti ragazzi universale / Under 10]; 26) ISBN 88-09-21099-9 Family - Everyday life - Child/Parent - Role reversal What would happen if adults behaved like children? Ivan and Samanta have just such an experience when their parents suddenly spend the whole day playing with toys and watching cartoons on television. Forced into a reversal of roles, the two children must take care of the housekeeping, shopping and deal with naughty parents. The author succeeds in caricaturing a contemporary family's lifestyle with wit and subtle hyperbole. Told in an easy, plain narrative style, the main events of the story are highlighted with pen-andink caricature-like drawings. (8+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 143 Terzagli, Matteo (text) Zürcher, Marco (illus.) Undici gatti paracadutisti (Eleven cats parachuting) Bolzano: AER, 1997. 36 p. ISBN 88-86557-65-5 Counting - Cat - Flight - Adventure A plane with eleven cats on board takes off and from high in the sky the felines parachute back to earth. The wind lets them drift apart in different directions, so that each cat experiences its own short adventure. The story is at another level a flight through the numbers (one to eleven), encouraging children to let their imaginations soar. Reminiscent of Květa Pacovská's style, the illustrations are rich in innovative graphic ideas, at once simple and bold. The warm and airy colors are harmoniously matched, creating an exuberant atmosphere that will surely appeal to pre-school children. (4+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1998 - 144 Ziliotto, Donatella (text) Nidasio, Grazia (illus.) Le bambine non le sopporto (I cannot stand little girls) Trieste: Einaudi Ragazzi, 1997. 56 p. (Einaudi Ragazzi / Narrativa; 58) ISBN 88-7936-237-8 Friendship - Family conflict - School holidays - Growing up Tonina cannot go on summer holidays to the mountains because she has to repeat her chemistry exam in September. But she is determined to enjoy her vacation, even if it means working as a counsellor at the children's summer camp. She describes this experience in six letters to her closest girlfriend Lucilla, revealing much of a modern teenager's inner life. The well-drawn characterizations in the narrative find their match in the witty line-drawings which extend this spirited, comical tale. (11+) Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 139 Buongiorno, Teresa (text) Frugoni, Chiara (text) Carrer, Chiara (illus.) Storia di Francesco il santo che sepava ridere (The story of Francis, the saint who knew how to laugh) Roma: Laterza, 1998. 100 p. (Il pentolino magico) ISBN 88-420-5603-0 Saint Francis It is always a challenge to deal a legendary person like Saint Francis of Assisi, but here the author and illustrator succeed in giving children an accurate account of the »Saint of the poor« both in historical and artistic terms. The educational intentions of the text are well balanced with a detailed and colorful narrative which transports the reader back to the times in which he lived. This fascinating documentation is adorned visually with fresco-like illustrations with a strong resemblance to those in the Church of Assisi. The values Saint Francis propagated, such as peace, equality among all people, and God's love for all creatures are conveyed in a pleasing manner. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 140 Detti, Ermanno (text) Luzzati, Emanuele (illus.) E quando cupa mezzanotte scocca (And when gloomy midnight strikes) Firenze: Fatatrac, 1998. 71 p. (I nuovi ottagoni; 16 : Ottagono junior) ISBN 88-8222-017-6 Italy/Folktale - Courage/Fear - Adventure This is a octave poem about the well-known Italian fairy tale character »fearless Giovannin« who was also featured in Italo Calvino's »Fiabe Italiane« (1956). The epic and picaresque adventures of the boy who longs to experience fear are full of events taken from popular traditions. In five episodes (How Giovannino became a knight; The dead woman still lives; Noon of fear; The pirate's treasure; In the churchyard) his quest for this emotion are skilfully and delightfully turned into selfchallenges - the greatest fear is fear of one's self. The vigorous outlines and deep colors in Luzzati's pictures convey the hero's restlessness. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 141 Facchini, Vittoria (text/illus.) Le femmine non mi piacciono perché... (I don't like girls because...) Firenze: Fatatrac, 1998. [32] p. ISBN 88-8222-010-9 Girl/Boy - Sexual role - Gender differences How do little girls appear to little boys? The faults, manias and bad habits of females as perceived by male children is quite amusing: girls like to whisper in one's ear, girls are sneaks and telltales, girls collect only Barbie dolls, they are mood, and tend to cry alot. But in the end, despite of all their peculiarities, boys admit they need girls because »the snack tastes better.« The attractive full-page illustrations reinforce the ironic criticisms with busy graphics. The author has also written another book from the little girls' point of view, »I maschi non mi piacciono perché...«. (5+) Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 142 Gambetta, Deborah Viaggio di maturità (Journey of maturity) Trieste: E. EL, 1998. 173 p. (Frontiere ; 31) ISBN 88-477-0237-2 Friendship - Adolescence - Adventure - Journey - Quest After their leaving-school examinations, three young men take a journey in search of an ex-girlfriend of one of them.This »road novel« through Italy, in which the friends experience unexpected events, memorable encounters with strangers, and squabble with one another, also reveals their personal histories, their adolescent anxieties, their loneliness and longings. Sharing the stirring sensation of newly found freedom, they unveil their own inner lives to each other, making it clear that the real quest takes place within one's self. The author depicts the adolescent emotional and psychological world with great sensitivity, conveying the complex realities of modern youth. It will surely appeal to many adolescents. (14+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 143 Guarnieri, Paolo (text) Landmann, Bimba (illus.) Un bambino di nome Giotto (A child named Giotto) Milano: Arka, 1998. [28] p. (Collana Perle d'arte) ISBN 88-8072-062-7 Giotto <di Bondone> - Art - Painting This narrative picture book presents the legendary life of the painter Giotto as an introduction to art. Beginning with Giotto's childhood as a young shepherd and his fortuitous meeting with Cimabue, the outstanding master and innovator in pictorial art of his times, the author entertains the young reader both through the story and informative descriptions of the techniques involved in fresco painting. Full-page plates in warm, earthy tones resembling altar pieces describe not a saint's life but that of the celebrated Romanesque painter. Especially striking is the use of decorative elements that convey the Byzantine influences on Giotto's education and work. (7+) ☆ ☼ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 144 Lanzotti, Paolo La parole magiche di Kengi il Pensieroso (The magic words of Kengi the Pensive) Casale Monferrato (AL): Piemme Junior, 1998. 302 p. (Il batello a vapore / Serie rossa / Serie oro; 5) ISBN 88-384-7705-1 Sumer - Adolescence - School - Learning Kengi, a thirteen-year old farmer boy in Sumer in ancient Babylonia, has a dream. He wants to learn to write and become a scribe. Through a fortuitous event he is able to enter a school for scribes where he is entrusted to a cruel teacher who thwarts his learning. Kengi finds himself up against several hostile people who oppose his desire to improve his status. This is a well-constructed and fascinating historical novel, rich in adventures, that will stimulate the reader's imagination. Kengi's enthusiasm and longing for knowledge represent adolescent fragility but also perseverance in pursuing one's aspirations. (12+) ☆ (Premio Il Battello a Vapore, 1997) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 145 Lavatelli, Anna (text) Vignale, Silvia (illus.) Alex non ha paura di niente (Alex is afraid of nothing) Casale Monferrato (AL): Piemme Junior, 1998. 56 p. (Il battello a vapore / Serie bianca; 27) ISBN 88-384-3427-1 Fear - Hospital - Appendectomy - Courage A timid child, Alex, is filled with panic at the thought of the appendectomy he must undergo. In hospital he makes friends with a younger child who mistakenly thinks him courageous. This gives Alex the strength to overcome his hidden fears. This simple and direct narrative turns children's fears of doctors and hospitals into a story of courage that may also help young readers to face other adversities of life, too. The easyto- read tale in paperback format is enhanced with humorous, dynamic line drawings that reflect the emotions of the protagonist. (5+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 146 Lucchini, Matilde Fuggo da tutto (Total escape) Milano: Mondadori, 1998. 77 p. (Shorts ; 12) ISBN 88-04-44686-2 Adolescence - Runaway - School - Mass media The two school friends, Marco and Numia, are as different as day and night: he is introverted and chaotic while she is outgoing and resolute, he is white and she is black. But they share the desire to escape from their families. While on a school trip to Florence they spontaneously join forces and decide to runaway. Sure that no one will expect them to stay in Florence, they hide there and follow the dramatic sensationalized reports of their »flight« in the newspapers and on television. Told in a lively, light-handed style, this novel is sure to absorb its readers from the very start. (12+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 147 Nanetti, Angela (text) Balbusso, Anna (illus.) Balbusso, Elena (illus.) Mio nonno era un ciliegio (My granddad was a cherry tree) Trieste: Einaudi Ragazzi, 1998. 144 p. ([Einaudi Ragazzi / Storie e rime] ; 96) ISBN 88-7926-270-x Tree - Grandfather/Granddaughter - Death - Love - Life philosophy A cherry tree named Felice is planted in commemoration of the birth of a girl and grows up with her. The cherry tree is the focus of the narration, the children's playmate, a place of knowledge and adventure, a symbol of life's continuity. But the tale's most important figure is the grandfather, who, with his vitality, sense of freedom, and ability to hear the tree's breathing, is somewhat „crazy". With a light touch, the author is able to deal with topics such as suffering and death, with lyrical emotionality, to convey the belief that »you don't die till someone loves you and till the cherry trees keep on living for you.« The charming illustrations create a harmonious balance between the story's different emotions. (10+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 148 Nava, Emanuela (text) Carrer, Chiara (illus.) Ciliegie e bombe (Cherries and bombs) Firenze: Giunti, 1998. 93 p. ([Giunti ragazzi universale / Under 10] ; 31) ISBN 88-09-21324-6 Yugoslavia/Civil war - Orphan - Diary Nine-year old Dragan is a war orphan from ex-Yugoslavia living in an orphanage in Italy. During the long months the staff look for a family to adopt him, he records his fears and hopes, his memories and experiences in a diary and makes acquaintance with people who want to help restore peace and quiet to his life. This is an intense, melancholic and moving story, brightened by occasional flashes of irony and fun. The illustrator's witty and sensitive style conveys the universal child's fears and emotions with warmth and humor. (8+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 149 Nava, Emanuela (text) Carrer, Chiara (illus.) La mummia che fuggì dal museo (The mummy who escaped from the museum) Firenze: Salani, 1998. 124 p. (Gl'istrici ; 130) ISBN 88-7782-720-3 Mummy - Adventure - Love After spending thousands of years in a sarcophagus, a pharaoh's wife - now a mummy - tires of her lazy existence in a museum and decides to escape. Finding refuge in southern Italy with an old nurse who rears crocodiles - the symbol of fertility - in her garden pond, the mummy discovers love and turns into a fascinating and radiant woman with sex appeal. All efforts by the police and public health officers to make her leave are in vain. She even finds help from the statuettes of her Egyptian servants buried with her. Throughout the colorful story the reader is given a humorous interpretation of Egyptian culture, which is also presented in comic style illustrations. (9+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 150 Pitzorno, Bianca (text/illus.) La voce segreta (The secret voice) Milano: Mondadori, 1998. 188 p. (Contemporanea) ISBN 88-04-45621-3 Infant - Magic - School - Growing up Though not yet old enough to go to school, Cora is considered old enough to look after her new-born twin brothers. Most of her free-time is spent playing with the neighborhood children, learning irreverent games, nonsense rhymes and »metropolitan spells«. With one of these magic formulas, she makes a pair of wings sprout on one of the babies' backs. And this gets Cora into trouble because her winged brother does not behave like an angel. In her well-practiced style, Pitzorno depicts the world of children through Cora's naive, but at the same time sharp and critical eyes. (10+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 1999 - 151 Vivarelli, Anna (text) Toesca, Maria (illus.) Storie per gioco (Tales to play) Roma: Nuove Ed. Romane, 1998. 90 p. (Nuova biblioteca dei ragazzi; 26: Narrativa) ISBN 88-85990-56-8 Play - Child/Adult This collection of short stories was inspired by ten traditional children's games such as »snakes and ladders «. Playing games is the common theme that leads the readers to rediscover the simplicity of childhood and the importance of human relationships in today's high-tech society where a child may sit alone in front of a television or computer screen. The light and clear manner of writing emphasizes how easy it is to find enjoyment in playing games and will appeal to both children and adults. The unpretentious sketches highlight key episodes in each story. (6+) Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 135 Baccalario, Pierdomenico La strada del guerriero (The route of the warrior) Casale Monferrato (AL): Piemme Junior, 1999. 280 p. (Il battello a vapore / serie rossa / oro ; 6) ISBN 88-384-7706-x Adventure - Africa - Zulu - Twins - Superstition Twins are born to the king of the Zulu people. Because this is believed a dreadful danger for the whole people, the witch doctor decides to sacrifice the first baby to avert the terrible misfortunes that could hit the Zulus. But the wet-nurse saves the baby's life giving him to a solitary warrior who wanders alone through the immense Savannah as his family and tribe were destroyed. After many years, the abandoned child, now a young man, reclaims his rightful throne. The story combines elements of anthropological and social realism to give an insight into the African culture. The author skillfully employs literary devices to propel the narrative; in his sensitive and illustrative style, he captures the shifting emotions with the perfect choice of perspective and an eye for details in the natural surroundings. (Premio Il Battello a Vapore, Città di Verbania; 1998) (12+) Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 136 Carpi, Pinin (text/illus.) La notte dei lupi (The night of the wolves) Trieste: Einaudi Ragazzi, 1999. 58 p. ([Einaudi Ragazzi / Storie e rime] ; 108) ISBN 88-7926-301-3 Wolf - Fear - Night - Escape Two children escape from the house of an old witch and orchard where they were being held captive and wander, cold and frightened, through a forest-like city. They are thoroughly confused by its tangle of narrow streets in the darkness of the night. Two wolves come to their help and carry them towards happiness. This is a gripping tale enriched by a colloquial voice and daring expressions made up of hyperboles, repetitions and emphases. Wonders and surprises of this modern fable allude to the violence present in modern-day childhood, the desolating sadness of many contemporary cities and suburbs. The writing is plain and straightforward with a wise use of fantasy. The author-illustrator superbly succeeds in connecting the witty text and pictures. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 137 Facchini, Vittoria (text/illus.) Piselli e farfalline ... son piú belli i maschi o le bambine? (Pea pods and butterflies ... Who's cuter - boys or girls?) Firenze: Fatatrac, 1999. [52] p. ISBN 88-8222-038-9 Sex - Love - Gender differences The illustrator deals openly and clearly with sexual education. The originality lies in her way of responding to children's natural curiosity on »sex«; they are not really interested in »eggs« and »sperm«, but they want to know everything about the human body with its peculiarities and differences and, above all, about the meaning of love and why people fall in love. The ironic and tender drawings in lively colors are well-matched to the subject. The dynamic and vigorous marks of the pencil with a pressing rhythm are far from vulgar and the text far from the didactic intentions of other books. (5+) Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 138 Ferrandino, Giuseppe Lidia e i turchi (Lidia and the Turks) Milano: Mondadori, 1999. 100 p. (Contemporanea) ISBN 88-04-47281-2 Girl/Kidnapping - Middle East - Growing up Lidia is fourteen years old and lives happily with her family in a Russian provincial town, preoccupied with typical adolescent concerns. Her life suddenly changes when she is kidnapped by an unscrupulous man who takes her to a Turkish harem where her destiny appears to be worse than death. Her tenacious will and readiness to face the unknown helps her meet challenge of escaping. While the plot is full of unexpected encounters, the setting - a Middle-Eastern landscape with its sounds, smells and colors - is well depicted in the novel's modern fairy tale-like narrative. The author's debut novel for young adults skillfully employs literary devices to propel the narrative and capture the reader's interest. (14+) Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 139 Gandolfi, Silvana (text) Orecchia, Giulia (illus.) La memoria dell'acqua (The water's memory) Firenze: Salani, 1999. 260 p. (Gl'istrici ; 143) ISBN 88-7782-644-4 Adventure - Maya - Legend - Myth Nando lives in a modern city like many other young citizens, but he has something special: six toes on each foot. An Indian relative discloses to him that this is a sign of the »elected«. He is the only one to get in touch with the Maya civilization that is thought to have disappeared many centuries ago - where it still survives hidden in the cloudy mountains and protected by a river. The boy meets the inhabitants of the last Maya tribe. The author is a master story-teller who entertains and enlightens his reader with all the literary techniques of good fantasy. While the historical background is fascinating, the emotional involvement created by the narrative makes this book as absorbing as its predecessors. (12+) Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 140 Masini, Beatrice (text) Ceccoli, Nicoletta (illus.) L'uomo della luna (The moon man) Milano: Ed. Arka, 1999. [28] p. (Collana di perle) ISBN 88-8072-086-4 Sleep - Fear - Fantasy - Dream - Magic - Moon At the window Sofia is watching the man in the moon when he suddenly throws her a long rope and asks her to climb up to him in the sky. They fly on a winged horse till the sunrise, letting a handful of moon-colored dust fall on the earth. In the end Sofia goes back home and in her bedroom she waits for the mysterious rider to return when it is full moon again. This is a short tale characterized by lyrical style, which is enhanced by the illustrator's enchanting pencil drawings. The pictures' dreamlike atmosphere is reminiscent of a dust cast on children to help them overcome their nightmares and fears about sleep. (4+) Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 141 Pallottino, Paola (text) Ceccoli, Nicoletta (illus.) Maria Moll Cappero (<Proper name>) Firenze: Fatatrac, 1999. 46 p. (I nuovi ottagoni ; 21 : Ottagono junior) ISBN 88-8222-035-4 Fantasy - Travel - Self-knowledge The passionate love story between Maria Moll Cappero, a princess-witch-fairy, and Conrad, a golden-violet snake, is told in a concise and balanced narrative. They meet butterflies and ants, which represent the starting point of Maria's interior exploring; she has experiences which turn themselves into feelings and emotions. The author's suggestive and evocative style of writing is strengthened by its lyricism. The dreamlike illustrations use varying perspectives and strong luminous colors to involve young readers in the protagonist's thoughts and feelings. This lyrical journey around the world reflects the wide diversity of people. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 142 Pitzorno, Bianca (text) Ferrari, Antongionata (illus.) A cavallo della scopa (Riding on a broom) Milano: Mondadori, 1999. 79 p. ([I sassolini / Per la terza elementare] ; 2) ISBN 88-04-46521-2 Princess - Kidnap - Witch The evil witch, Etrusca Cruscon, is unable to sleep except in her special bed with five mattresses made of the special feathers from an exotic bird, a »spiumaccione«. These birds live only in the garden of the king, who refuses to part with any of its feathers. So the witch kidnaps the princess Isotta to exchange her for the feathers she needs. But Isotta has a mind of her own and doesn't let herself be used for Etrusca Cruscon's blackmail scheme. This amusing story, told in a lively style, is accompanied by illustrations that underline the comic side of the tale. (6+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 143 Piumini, Roberto (text) Ferrari, Antongionata (illus.) Le ombre cinesi (The Chinese shadows) Casale Monferrato: Piemme Junior, 1999. 56 p. (Il battello a vapore / Serie bianca / oro ; 7) ISBN 88-384-7407-9 China - Legend - Shadow In ancient China the emperor Qua Li Yen decides that his subjects should pay taxes according to the shadows their bodies cast on the imperial ground. This imperial greed is said to be the origin of many different things which "characterize" the Chinese still today: their stiff walking gait, their hair, the almond-shaped eyes, teint of skin, the Chinese shadow play and so on. The story is developed through humorous, exaggerated situations with serious undertones that entertain and touch the reader. This book's excellent layout and well-researched details offer fascinating historical insight into Imperial China. The pictures are done with a dynamic pencil and bright watercolors to create a lively atmosphere. Humorous use of light and space help convey multiple perspective. The book is very attractive and will capture readers and viewers of all ages. (5+) ☆ (Premio Nazionale d'Illustrazione Il Battello a Vapore, Città di Verbania; 1998) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2000 - 144 Roncaglia, Silvia (text) Cerretti, Cristiana (illus.) Isabella non ride più (Isabella doesn't laugh anymore) Roma: Città Nuova, 1999. 47 p. (I colori del mondo) ISBN 88-311-8057-6 Social differences - Play The princess Isabella is a wild child who spends most of her time playing together with the groom's son, Furio. The king and the queen do not like his influence on their daughter and forbid her to see him. When she stops smiling, they do not understand the reason of this change. Only the company of Furio makes her happy again. This is a light, lively and well-balanced fairy tale-like story about family relations. Attractive illustrations with an unsual style of design are well-matched with the text's abundance of gaiety and irony. (5+) Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 135 Bordiglioni, Stefano (text) Badocco, Manuela (text) Nidasio, Grazia (illus.) Dal diario di una bambina troppo occupata (A too busy girl's diary) Trieste : Einaudi Ragazzi, 2000. [144] p. (Einaudi Ragazzi : Storie e rime ; 127) ISBN 88-7926-329-3 Child - Stress - Allergy - Family A ten-year-old girl writes down in her diary what she does in her very busy daily life: back home from school there are lots of homework and she has to cope with swimming, piano and English lessons. She does everything to meet her parents' expectations, but there is no time left to play with dolls, to go out with friends or to throw stones into a river just for fun. One day, she is discovered to suffer from an allergy which proves to be a psychosomatic reaction caused by stress. Her understanding parents change their attitude towards their daughter and help her to overcome stressful times. This is a brilliantly told tale about family relationships, full of witty, real-life dialogues and inner monologues. The authors convincingly evoke the child's world while the attractive illustrations capture the narrative highlights. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 136 Calvino, Italo (text) Ceccoli, Nicoletta (illus.) La foresta-radice-labirinto (The forest-root-labyrinth) Mondadori : Milano, 2000. 50 p. (Piccola contemporanea ; 3) ISBN 88-04-47923-x Nature - Rural life - City life - Knight - Fairy tale This fairy tale by Calvino had been out-of-print for a long time. Now, it has been rediscovered for this new, well-designed series. Back from war, King Clovis finds his town surrounded by an inextricable forest. He begins to wander through a labyrinth of roots that look like branches, while the branches mingle with roots. In this overwhelming nature, characters are torn between feeling and reason in their quest for harmony. The black-and-white illustrations with shades of grey and green attractively capture the main events of this magic story. The illustrator's characteristic style of judicious and fascinating drawings in this book reaches a strong poetic potential. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 137 DeSimone, Roberto (text) Altan (illus.) Fiabe campane (Fairy tales from Campania) Trieste : Ed. EL, 2000. [148] p. (Il Tesoro) ISBN 88-477-0535-5 Campania - Fairy tale This is a selection of 21 stories, legends and fairy tales rewritten by the well-known artistic director, composer, and writer Roberto De Simone. He uses folktale motifs, mainly taken from the Campania region, to create literary fairy tales. The volume begins with the famous »Cinderella-cat tale« and features religious figures, country people and the Neapolitan character of Punch. The warm colours of the illustrations exude a sense of gaiety. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 138 Giaume, Giovanna (text) Marabotto, Paolo (illus.) Il Futurismo : tutto corre rapido (Futurism : everything runs fast) Roma : Lapis [et al.], 2000. 8 p. (L'arte tra le mani ; 4) ISBN 88-87546-20-7 Art - Futurism - Painting This is the third volume of a new series in which the author introduces children to the works of the most important artists of Futurism. It presents an interesting way of leading children to become acquainted with modern art in an active way: in addition to reading the text and appreciating the iconographic material, the young readers are asked to cut and assemble card forms. This will help children to grasp the essence of the Futurist message: the movement and dynamism of the modern world are expressed by the beauty of speed. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 139 Lobe, Mira (text) Rapaccini, Chiara (illus.) Giorgi, Fiammetta (transl.) Creiamo il mondo! (Let's make the world!) (German orig. title: Wir machen die Welt!) Casale Monferrato (AL) : Piemme Junior, 2000. [40] p. (Il battello a vapore / I pirati ; 29) ISBN 88-384-8029-x World - Creation - Creativity - Spare Time This Italian edition of a story by the renowned Austrian author features new illustrations which were nominated for the »Premio d'Illustrazione Il Battello a Vapore« in 1999. Marco and Lena, brother and sister, decide to switch off television and spend their afternoon playing »Let's pretend we are ...«. They are quite ambitious because they want »to recreate« the world; starting from dark chaos they pretend to create the sun with a ceiling lamp and the moon with a bedside-lamp; a blue carpet and a checked blanket represent the sea and the earth. Their fantasy goes on with the creation of animals, plants and also human beings. The stunning coloured pencil drawings enhance the appeal of this unusual endeavour. The illustrator captures the shifting emotions with her original visual language of naive flat shapes. (4+) Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 140 Masini, Beatrice (text) Monaco, Octavia (illus.) Ciro in cerca d'amore (Ciro in mood for love) Milano : Ed. Arka, 2000. [32] p. (Collana di perle) ISBN 88-8072-094-5 Venice - Cat - Love - Diversity When the full moon shines on Venice, the city of love unfolds all its charms and arouses the desire for love – not only in romantically inclined humans but in cats too. Ciro, a Venetian cat, is looking for »love«, and after many adventures he finds it in a child, who takes care of him and respects his feline character. The text is accompanied by beautiful illustrations, which render the magic atmosphere of Venice with gentle colours and fine contours. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 141 Melis, Alberto Il segreto dello scrigno (The casket's secret) Casale Monferrato (AL) : Piemme Junior, 2000. [186] p. ([Il battello a vapore / Serie rossa / Serie oro] ; 7) ISBN 88-384-7707-8 Adventure - Judaean History - Adolescence - Love - Friendship Joachim is the hero of this adventurous and gripping novel set back 2000 years ago in the Judaean Kingdom. He falls in love with Sarah, a young slave girl, and tries to free her from the greedy merchant. The strong willed boy finds his only helper in Joshua, a special friend. Together, they overcome all difficulties and rescue Sarah. This book is an excellent starting point for young adults to discuss and to reflect upon the values of love and friendship. The author succeeds in giving a convincing portrait of an adolescent boy at a decisive time of life, conveying his feelings facing the first major difficulties of life. (12+) (Premio Il Battello a Vapore [Narrativa]; 1999) Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 142 Merenda, Adriana (text) Ferraro, Alessandro (illus.) Il borgomastro di Francoforte (The mayor of Frankfurt) Roma : Nuove Edizioni Romane, 2000. [168] p. (Nuova biblioteca dei ragazzi ; 35 : Narrativa) ISBN 88-85990-73-8 Detective - Football - Humour - Adult - Child This gripping novel contains all elements of a detective story: Tom Branco, a though, self-absorbed detective, supported in his work by a bungling assistant and a charming secretary. But the narration soon reveals that the author parodies this kind of mystery tale: Matteo, a little boy, contrasts ironically with the only apparently mature adult world. The play on narrative conventions makes this a thoroughly entertaining book with humour that children will certainly appreciate. The text has an attractive layout with blackand- white sketches which capture the dynamic quality of the narrative. (9+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 143 Pitzorno, Bianca (text) Blake, Quentin (illus.) Tornatrás (The return) Milano : Mondadori, 2000. [304] p. (Contemporanea) ISBN 88-04-47611-7 Television - Orphan - Growing-up - Friendship - Racism Colomba, an eleven-year old girl, experiences a life full of difficulties after her father's death and her mother's depression. Television programmes have bewitched Colomba's mother, who spends the family's money on TV-sales but forgets to pay bills and buy food. Colomba would like to switch back time. But when she feels that she has »reached the limits«, her life changes through a series of interesting encounters. The red-haired protagonist regains a positive view of life thanks to her friendship with people from different nationalities and backgrounds. Together, the friends fight a racist politician and his followers who want »to clean« their neighbourhood from poor and foreign people. This book advocates a fierce criticism of aggressive television policies that try to spy and manipulate people's emotions. This engaging novel is very strong on characterisation: it gives excellent insight into the psychological development of the strong-willed girl-protagonist; the minor characters never remain flat. (10+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 144 Roncaglia, Silvia (text) Cerretti, Cristiana (illus.) Ma che razza di razza è? (What people is this?) Roma : Città Nuova, 2000. [45] p. (I colori del mondo) (I riquadri) ISBN 88-311-8062-2 Diversity - Equality - Race - Multicultural education The teacher in school talks about the many different habitats in the world. For homework, the children have to do a project on the different human races. »Ah, always those damn projects!«, exclaims the young protagonist. But at home his little brother Pino arouses in him great interest for the subject. Turning over the pages of a book on the peoples of the world, Pino always points at the pictures of a »Mommy with Child« even if they wear different dresses, hairstyles and have different skin colours. Attractively illustrated with bright pastel line-and-wash drawings, this easy-toread story will enrich multicultural library collections. (7+) ☆ (Premio per l'Ambiente; 1999) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 145 Vicic, Ugo (text) Natalini, Sandro (illus.) La vendetta delle bestiazze (The beasts' revenge) Firenze : Fatatrac, 2000. [62] p. (I nuovi ottagoni ; 25) ISBN 88-8222-056-7 Animals - Man This is a delightful collection of 14 short stories in which the author takes sides with the animals in a light-hearted tone. The beasts appear as grotesque, their descriptions and characterisations are full of queer and highly original ideas over-throwing stereotypes. The book presents an up-sidedown world in which giraffes eat dancers, monk seals attack nuns, koalas are carnivorous and so on. Some tales' endings have catchy nonsense rhymes that capture the child's spirit of play. The comic graphical interpretations of these animal fantasy tales are filled with ironic details. (8+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2001 - 146 Visconti, Guido (text) Landmann, Bimba (illus.) Quel genio di Leonardo (Leonardo, a real genius) Milano : Ed. Arka, 2000. [36] p. (Collana di perle d'arte) ISBN 88-8072-093-7 Leonardo <da Vinci> - Art - Painting This accomplished picture book celebrates Leonardo da Vinci, the most famous Renaissance artist. The story of his life is retold with refined skill and set against the carefully reconstructed historical background. The narrative is enriched by quotations from Leonardo's writings, appropriately simplified for young readers. Like all great masters, Leonardo was accompanied by a student, Giacomo, whom he treated like his own son. The author skilfully suggests the complexity and extensiveness of Leonard's interests, his artistic and scientific activities, which are attractively illustrated with colourful, full page drawings. With her sensitive and painterly style, the illustrator adds an extra dimension to the story, expanding the children's imagination. (7+) Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 131 Bordiglioni, Stefano (text) Monaldini, Mauro (illus.) Scuolaforesta (Forest school) Trieste : Einaudi Ragazzi, 2001. 86 p. (Einaudi Ragazzi : Storie e rime ; 141) ISBN 88-7926-353-6 School – Pupil – Species – Animals Can a school-class be compared with a small zoo? In this book, Stefano Bordiglioni, a teacher in real life, pretends to be a behavioural scientist who classifies the »small animals« in a witty mock- Latin. He names various species, such as the cicada-girl (Puella La La), the kangaroo-boy (Hop Hop), the old-goat-boy (Puer Dongiovannis), and the particularly strange Puer WWF. This animal show is extremely entertaining, and, at the same time, fairly realistic. The language perfectly matches the seemingly serious tone of the narration. The lively illustrations fit in well with the text and complement it to make the story a delightful read also for younger children. And for teachers, it will prove useful, too ...! (9+) Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 132 Campana, Susanna (text/illus.) Falsini, Camilla (text/illus.) Maschere (Masks) Napoli : I Colori del Mondo [et al.], 2001. [48] p. (I riquadri) ISBN 88-311-8068-1 Venice – Carnival – Commedia dell'Arte – Fancy dress – Masks This book features the figures of the Commedia dell'Arte, which are still characteristic for the Italian carnival. In a few words, each of them introduces his or her own character and mentions the (many) weaknesses or (few) strengths. Costumes and colours resemble those of the original character cast, yet, at the same time, the figures themselves are presented in an attractively and imaginatively distorted way. They powerfully spread themselves across the pages, just as loud disrespectful fellows should, who are used to entertaining the common people in the streets as well as the aristocrats in the theatres with their jokes and pranks. Short and useful instructions about how to make the costumes and the stage decorations, complement the book. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 133 Cantone, Anna-Laura (text/illus.) Una storia ingarbugliata (An intricate story) Milano : Fabbri, 2001. [28] p. ISBN 88-451-2639-0 Hair – Forgetfulness Matilde is completely absent-minded. In order to remember all the different tasks she has to attend to, she decides to make one knot for each task into her flowing red hair. But immediately, birds mistake Matilde's head for an ideal nesting place. Luckily enough, the hair cutter finds the perfect solution to this problem by giving the girl the best haircut ever. Now the birds can build their nests in the cut-off hair and Matilde's mother gets her an electronic organiser. Everything's fine – at least as long as the batteries of the organiser keep working. Matilde's story is accompanied by witty and fanciful, grotesque twopage illustrations. A characteristic feature of this book is the use of different types of paper, newspaper cuttings, and photographs of everyday objects, which are turned into brilliant collages. (5+) Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 134 Cavalli, Ennio (text) Maggioni, Federico (illus.) Se nascevo gabbiano ... era peggio : (mezzo mondo visto da un bambino) (If I had been born a seagull ... that would be worse : half the world seen by a child) Milano : Feltrinelli, 2001. 171 p. (Feltrinelli kids : Sbuk ; 47) ISBN 88-07-92047-6 Boy – Everyday life – Observation Clever thoughts about places, dinosaurs, pizzas, octopuses, mythology, nudism, etc. are gathered in this book, each of them spread out over a few pages and balanced by small suggestive black-ink drawings. The young and curious first-person narrator notices that the world is full of interesting objects worth thinking about. You may discover them while travelling – on a holiday trip with your pesky parents – or even at home: e.g. single words or a glass of chocolate spread. Some of the boy's thoughts are fairly profound: »Maybe there would be no more wars if all the adjectives that can accompany the word ›hate‹ disappeared.« The readers who follow his direct, narrative language suddenly look at life from a different perspective. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 135 Costa, Nicoletta (text/illus.) Giulio Coniglio : storie per un anno (Giulio Rabbit : stories for a whole year) Modena : Panini, 2001. [44] p. (Ragazzi) ISBN 88-8290-282-x Animals – Child – Everyday life – Friendship Giulio Rabbit and his motley crowd of friends – mouse Tommaso, fox Walter, goose Caterina – encounter the big small adventures of everyday life. Young children will easily empathise with the stories and find simple explanations for their own wishes and fears. Giulio learns not to be deceived by the fox; he learns how to swim and asks the doctor to cure his cold. He meets reindeer Renata, who is a member of staff working for Father Christmas, and the book ends happily with a shining Christmas tree. This illustrator's characteristic stroke, as careful and lively as usual, both captures and delights readers. The perfect balance between drawings and colours makes this book a treat for the eyes. (3+) Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 136 D'Adamo, Francesco Storia di Iqbal (Iqbal's story) San Dorligo della Valle (Trieste) : Ed. EL, 2001. 155 p. (Ex libris ; 96) ISBN 88-477-0801-x Pakistan – Child labour – Slavery – Rebellion This is a fast-paced story, full of hope, tragical, and entertaining at once. It denounces one of the worst plagues of our time, namely child slave labour. These children are forced to help their poor parents pay off their (sometimes ridiculously low) debts. The story in this book recalls a real incident in Pakistan. Fatima, the fictitious narrator, describes the brave uprising of a small group of children against their brutal employer and their escape from a horribly violent and ignorant existence. Eleven-year-old Iqbal Masih, the leader of this rebellion, was murdered in spring 1995 at the age of thirteen. He became the symbol for this fight. (12+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 137 Denti, Roberto Ancora un giorno : Milano 1945 (One more day : Milano 1945) Milano : Mondadori, 2001. 103 p. (Storie d'Italia ; 5) ISBN 88-04-49504-9 Italy/1945 – World War II – Child – Everyday life It is easy to guess that this short tale does not contain many fictional elements. In 1945, life in Milano was adventurous enough as to render further imagination superfluous. Four boys live their »normal« lives during World War II. Striving to understand the events, they observe the adults and try to help wherever possible in order to feel more mature. Bomb attacks, the Black Market, spies, scarcity of food: Using a surprisingly light and comprehensible language, this book transports readers back into the horrible past, which is also the sad present for many children today. A short historical summary at the end explains the historical events of that time. Different periods of Italian history are tackled in other books published in the same series. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 138 Garilli, Alessia (text) Cantone, Anna Laura (illus.) Papavero con sorpresa (A poppy with a surprise) Milano : Ed. Arka, 2001. [28] p. (Collana di Perle) ISBN 88-8072-111-9 Parent – Child – Creativity If you do not have enough money to buy Mama a bunch of flowers, you can dig out a poppy instead and carry it home in a flowerpot. Yet, how inconvenient, if a cricket hides inside the flower and keeps the neighbours awake for hours. But so what! Marta faces such problems with intelligence and a cheerful composure. Soon afterwards she presents her Daddy with a water lily. What a lovely idea – except for this frog ... In this humorous and beautifully illustrated book, the artist's preference for playing with distorted forms and perspectives is clearly visible. Also characteristic for her work is the way in which mood changes are mirrored in the lively facial expressions of the amiable characters who are presented in an overly caricaturesque manner. (4+) Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 139 Giraldo, Maria Loretta (text) Bertelle, Nicoletta (illus.) Un nuovo amico di Anna (A new friend for Anna) Cinisello Balsamo : San Paolo, 2001. [40] p. (Jam : Le mele rosse ; 2) (San Paolo junior) ISBN 88-215-4386-2 Immigration – Multicultural society In this book, with its large block capitals on almost square pages accompanied by multi-coloured illustrations, Anna narrates a simple story that might happen anywhere in the world: A boy with dark skin joins her class. He comes from a foreign country. How many interesting tales about Africa, his homeland, Emmanuel could tell them! In order to do so, however, he has to learn Italian first. For the time being, the friendly glances and warm smiles of his new classmates help him calm down and get used to his new life. Anna imagines that, if she had to move to Africa, her freckles and red hair would look extremely weird to the people there. Immediately she realises how much richer their lives are going to be with their unusual new friend. (6+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 140 Milani, Mino Crespi Jacopo (Curly-headed Jacopo) Milano : Fabbri, 2001. 172 p. (I delfini) ISBN 88-451-2555-6 Northern Italy/19th century – Village – Poverty – Hunger – Uncle – Boy – Test – Friendship This book is yet another proof of Mino Milani's great narrative skill. The story is set in Northern Italy in the middle of the nineteenth century. Jacopo, a shy and frightened melancholic boy from a poor family with many children, is sent to another village by his parents to live with his sinister and mean uncle. He suffers hunger, works very hard, and meets many strangers who are not always friendly towards him. One day, Jacopo and some other boys have to travel down the river Ticino to bring several boats to the town of Pavia. This is an acid test for Jacopo which eventually gains him recognition and, moreover, makes him find work and a new friend, Veronica. The eventful, exciting plot is told in a quiet voice full of emotion. The language is fluent and elaborate, the presentation of the characters impressive, and the description of the landscapes full of poetic power. In the epilogue, Antonio Faeti praises the book's immense ethical power – and rightly so! (10+) (Premio di Letteratura per Ragazzi »Insula Romana« ; 2001) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 141 Nava, Emanuela (text) Nascimbeni, Barbara (illus.) La tigre con le scarpe da ginnastica (The tiger with the gymnastics shoes) Milano : Salani, 2001. 63 p. (I criceti ; 71) ISBN 88-7782-985-0 Italy – Boy – Indian child – Friendship – Multicultural society – Storytelling How do you manage to squeeze stories about skunks, the sun and the moon, headless women, green tigers, magicians, young monkies, Snow White, and Christopher Columbus into a book of just 63 pages? It's easy. You just let two children meet in the park of a city that is teeming with cars and commercials and let them tell stories. Marco, son of Italian parents, and Khurshid, son of Indian parents, become friends and exchange tales from their respective home countries which they re-create individually while telling them. Even if this sounds easy, it requires great skill to tell stories that are as refreshing and imaginative as the ones which Emanuela Nava narrates in this small booklet. Her text is supported by simple and friendly pen-andink drawings. (7+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 142 Roncaglia, Silvia (text) Cerretti, Cristiana (illus.) Aiuto, arrivano le amiche della mamma! (Help! Mama's friends are coming) Firenze : Fatatrac, 2001. [28] p. ISBN 88-8222-079-6 Manners – Aversion Mama's friends are a real pest. Whenever they come for a visit, Mama comes up with a lot of absurd ideas, such as tidying up the bedrooms, behaving (and even dressing) like small princes, etc. Sara and Luca would love to play cannibals and throw the ladies into a huge cooking pot. Instead, they get sticky kisses and are asked silly questions. At least, Mama's friends always bring loads of caramels and other sweets. Anyway, Sara firmly promises herself that she will behave differently when she is an adult. Cristiana Cerretti has provided witty and lively illustrations for this story. The first and foremost characteristics are their expressive forms and colours. Their dynamic and vivacity are further increased by the hand-written text in block print. (8+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2002 - 143 Stoppa, Alfredo (text) Cimatoribus, Alessandra (illus.) Di tanto in tanto tondo tondo (Once in a while, as round as a ball) Pordenone : Ed. C'era una volta, 2001. [32] p. ISBN 88-86144-66-0 Father Christmas – Big city – Hectic – Art of living Who is this little round man who glances at the sky waiting for the snow that doesn't fall? Quite obviously, he is one of those fake Fathers Christmas whom the big department stores like to hire. In any case, he is a weird fellow: He doesn't even own a car! He loves to feel comfortable and lives in a multi-coloured house with many books and a lovely garden among all the dull grey houses of the hectic and noisy city. We can easily imagine the things he doesn't like and would (probably) agree with him. The ingenious, atmospheric pictures with their unconventional perspectives and details will impress readers with their exquisite range of colours. For a while, they let the readers become immersed in this tale of an outsider in our fastmoving time. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 131 Bisutti, Donatella (ed.) L’albero delle parole : grandi poeti di tutto il mondo per i bambini (The word tree : great poets from all over the world for children) Milano : Feltrinelli, 2002. 259 p. (Feltrinelli kids : Sbuk ; 61) ISBN 88-07-92061-1 Poetry – Children – Emotions – Nature Can children understand the great poets of the 20century? According to this book they can, because they are active and unpredictable readers. The author presents 73 Italian and foreign poets and 138 poems connected by an invisible thread which creates an original text, based on the free associations and the emotional involvement of young readers. There are whimsical narrative poems followed by humorous texts (from Prévert to Queneau) and lyric poetry by various poets (Lawrence, Brecht, Emily Dickinson). This fascinating and varied anthology offers a moment of enjoyment, emotion, play, and dreams for everybody. (8+) Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 132 Detti, Ermanno (text) Innocenti, Roberto (illus.) Leda e il mago (Leda and the wizard) Firenze : Fatatrac, 2002. 85 p. (I nuovi ottagoni ; 36) ISBN 88-8222-082-6 Italy/1945 – World War II – Girl – Mystery – Adventure In this book, the dramatic events of the Partisan struggle in Italy during World War II are seen through the eyes of ten-year-old Leda. She is lively and curious and one day she meets a mysterious, disturbing man who calls himself the Wizard. Who is he really? The mystery unfolds little by little along with the story, set in the hills of the Maremma, in Tuscany, where the author spent his childhood. The narration is intense and lively, the dialogue is rich, expressing a mixture of everyday worries, fears, and joys. The volume contains extraordinary and highly emotive plates by Roberto Innocenti. (11+) Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 133 Ghebreigziabiher, Alessandro (text) Ferraro, Alessandro (illus.) Tramonto (Sunset) Roma : Ed. Lapis, 2002. [28] p. (I lapislazzuli) ISBN 88-87546-60-6 Contrasts – Diversity – Meeting – Interculturality The author was born somewhere between Italy and Africa, between two different colours, two different cultures. The illustrated picture book, full of strong colours, tells the story of Sunset, the son of Darkness and Light. Sunset realises that he does not belong to either of the two worlds, being »too dark for the whites and too pale for the blacks«. Fear and suspicion of those who are different is far too common, but – despite this – the encounter is possible, as in the case of the sun and the moon dancing together on the beach. The book is a simple and poetic invitation to an encounter between different cultures. (6+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 134 Luciani, Domenica (text) Luciani, Roberto (illus.) Roba dell’altro mondo (Things from another world) Milano : Feltrinelli, 2002. 277 p. (Feltrinelli kids : Sbuk ; 49) ISBN 88-07-92049-2 Teenagers – Afterlife – Humour Is it possible to be humorous about death and afterlife? In the case of Domenica Luciani’s latest book the answer is yes: a fast-paced adventure, full of witty remarks, sudden turns of events, and highly amusing situations. The narrator is Felice – a lighthearted thirteen-year-old boy, always in a joking mood – who suddenly dies. But a new life begins for this »newly dead« in the afterlife: With the help of two friendly and extravagant uncles of his, he discovers new powers and new occasions of enjoyment. The book’s narrative style is rippling and irreverent and the language is direct, using everyday expressions of today’s teenagers. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 135 Masini, Beatrice (text) Cantone, Anna Laura (illus.) Una sposa buffa, buffissima, bellissima (A funny, very funny, beautiful bride) Milano : Ed. Arka, 2002. [28] p. (Collana di perle) ISBN 88-8072-127-5 Dresses – Wedding ceremony – Surprises This is the lively and simple story about the wedding of a tireless and creative dressmaker, a specialist in wedding dresses – Filomena – and Ferruccio, a shy and clumsy mechanic, who has declared his love to her. And so Filomena designs her own wedding dress; yet, some complications arise that put the wedding at risk. The ceremony is described in an extraordinary way, both by the text and the overflowing illustrations by Anna Laura Cantone, which take up the whole page with a patchwork of ideas and various materials: clippings, photographs, labels, cloths and handwritings. A book that will conquer children (and grown-ups). (5+) Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 136 Mignone, Sebastiano Ruiz (text) Ferrari, Antongionata (illus.) Il ritorno di Babbo Natale (The return of Santa Claus) Novara : Interlinea, 2002. 29 p. (Le rane piccole ; 13) (Junior) ISBN 88-8212-379-0 Italy/1860 – Child – Mystery – Santa Claus This book is based on a clever trick. Italy, 1860: General Garibaldi – the hero of the Italian struggle for independence – is fighting for the freedom of Southern Italy. In the little, secluded village of San Nicola, a curious and enterprising little boy called Nicola detects strange movements and the presence of a stranger with a long white beard wearing a red gown. Could he be Santa Claus? As if he was playing an important game, Nicola tries to solve the mystery and at the end he is certain: He had recognised that man with a beard who had left him a bag of sweets. It really was Santa Claus. (7+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 137 Nanetti, Angela (text) Ovani, Germano (illus.) L’uomo che coltivava le comete (The man who grew comets) San Dorligo della Valle (Trieste) : Ed. EL, 2002. 130 p. (Il tesoro) ISBN 88-477-1947-2 Child – Dreams – Comets – Father This slightly romantic and poetic story of a search for identity, set vaguely in the East, recalls stories by Singer. Arno, the main character, is a ten-year-old boy who lives in a small village with his young mother Myriam and his little brother. He has a dream: he would like to know who his father is. Why does the village baker show such a deep interest in his family? Who is that old man with a mysterious past who lives in the woods and says that he grows comets? And where is his father? To find the answers and to see comets being born, it is necessary to learn to be patient. But as the old man says: »We cannot do without dreams, because only dreams give a meaning to life«. In this lovely, sweet story, rich in magic realism and illustrated by Germano Ovani with fascinating delicacy, Angela Nanetti shows how good she is at reading children’s hearts. (10+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 138 Petrosino, Angelo Not, Sara (illus.) Il viaggio in Italia di Valentina (Valentina’s journey in Italy) Casale Monferrato (AL) : Piemme Junior, 2002. 287 p. (Il battello a vapore / Serie Valentina) ISBN 88-384-7925-9 Girl – Everyday life – Travelling This book is part of a successful series created by Angelo Petrosino, a writer and teacher who is able to listen to children and loves telling stories. Valentina is a fast growing ten-year-old girl, lively and exuberant, with a strong desire to live life to the full. She undertakes a journey throughout Italy in the company of Stefi, a friend of hers, who is a writer. Her holiday turns out to be surprisingly eventful and Valentina describes it in the first person in a simple and fluent style, seasoned with a pinch of humour. A general map and insets about the regions of Italy are enclosed in the volume. (8+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 139 Piumini, Roberto (text/illus.) Castelli, Lucia (text/illus.) Caviezel, Giovanni (text/illus.) Un secolo di bambini : racconti del Novecento. (A century of children : stories from the 20century) Roma : Ed. Riuniti, 2001. 94 p. (Piccole tasche) ISBN 88-359-5078-1 Children – Everyday life – History 1900-2000 Is it possible to describe the 20Century from the point of view of children? This book fulfils this task in an original way, starting with a nursery rhyme followed by ten light and sagacious stories – one for each decade of the century. The leading character of each story is a child who moves and acts in his/her own little world and each story is set against a different background: steamboats full of emigrants, World War I, the Fascist parades, the reconstruction after World War II, the unrest of 1968. But there are also Mickey Mouse, the »panettone« (the Italian Christmas cake), the first TV sets, the Fiat 600, Yuri Gagarin, Barbie doll, the Italian National Soccer Team, mobile phones and the Euro. Even for children, time is a mixture of dreams, disappointments and hopes. (9+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 140 Valente, Andrea Sotto il banco (Under the desk) Milano : Fabbri, 2002. 123 p. (Contrasti) ISBN 88-451-2895-4 Teenager – School – Secret – Growing up This book is dedicated »to the girls on the mailing list« and has a subtitle: »We all have some secrets, deep down«. Under the school desk, there is a bit of everything: a sandwich, an apple, history, or anonymous notes. Well in touch with their world, the author has collected 30 short – some very short – stories of teenagers coming to grips with their pals and the adults. These short accounts of everyday life, set in school, at home, on the bus, or in the world of the Internet, give a gently humorous description of the teenagers of today and draw attention to their eagerness and their fear of growing up, their exciting discovery of love, their dreams, and their desires. (14+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 141 Various authors (text) Biasetton, Francesca (illus.) Abbecedario (Spelling book) Modena : Panini, 2002. [58] p. (Ragazzi) ISBN 88-8290-495-4 Alphabet – Game – Words This is a rather special book generated by an idea and a play by Giorgio Scaramuzzino. It is a tribute to the magic of words: Just as in a children’s game, the letters of the alphabet come to life and, combined, they become words, sounds, and images. With its 25 short stories, composed by Italian writers specifically for this purpose both for children and grown-ups, the volume re-creates the charm of old-fashioned spelling books. Every story – one for each letter of the alphabet – is accompanied by illustrations, pictures, drawings, and clippings, like a fascinating ever-changing puzzle. (6+) ☼ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2003 - 142 Zannoner, Paola Quel giorno pioveva (It was raining that day) Milano : Mondadori, 2002. 64 p. (Shorts ; 41) ISBN 88-04-50707-1 Italy/1974 – Everyday life – Girl – Bomb Camilla is 14 and when she is with her friends she talks about songs, boyfriends and school tests. On that rainy day, though, having missed the bus, she is late for school and almost without realising it, she finds herself in a large square in the middle of a crowd of demonstrating workers with red flags. Suddenly a blast, blood everywhere, terror: Camilla becomes a witness of a highly dramatic event. A tragic day in Italian history, May 28, 1974, when a bomb exploded in Brescia, during a popular demonstration: a terrible bloodshed, the perpetrators of which remain unpunished. It is the highly emotional story, narrated in the first person, of a teenager who is growing up. (12+) Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 124 Ferrara, Antonio (text/illus.) Come i pini di Ramallah (Like the pine trees in Ramallah) Firenze : Fatatrac, 2003. 63 p. (I nuovi ottagoni ; 39) ISBN 88-8222-101-6 Israel – Palestine – War – Hope In this book, readers can picture the colours and even imagine the smells of a troubled land. It presents the parallel diaries of two 10-year-old boys at the time of the second Intifada: David, an Israeli child, and Mohammed, a Palestinian boy. While David lives in Jerusalem, where people live in constant fear of terrorist attacks, Mohammed’s home town is Ramallah, where people are afraid to be killed by Israeli soldiers. Then, one day, the two children meet: This short encounter gives them new insights, a little more hope for the future and makes them dream of a possible peace. The author perfectly manages to convey the thoughts and feelings of the two protagonists, a fact that is important because – as David states – »children do have something to say about the war, but nobody listens to them.« (9+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 125 Gatti, Fabrizio Viki che voleva andare a scuola (Viki who wanted to go to school) Milano : Fabbri, 2003. 261 p. ISBN 88-451-8114-6 Emigration – Racism – Integration – School In order to write this book, the author Fabrizio Gatti pretended to be an illegal immigrant and went to live in a shantytown on the outskirts of Milan. He tells the story of an Albanian boy, Viki, who dreams of a new life in Italy. It is not easy, though, because many Italians seem to have forgotten that, not that long ago, a lot of them were emigrants, too. The harsh story describes the terrible journey – jammed into a small boat like prisoners – then his life as an illegal immigrant living in fear and misery, and eventually Viki’s attempts to fit in at school, where at the beginning »the other children were queueing up to see me close up.« Despite of this, Viki never loses heart in this contradictory reality of cruel indifference and fragments of generosity. (12+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 126 Levi, Lia La lettera B : i sei mesi che hanno sconvolto la mia vita (The letter B : the six months that completely changed my life) Milano : Mondadori, 2003. 163 p. (Junior bestseller) ISBN 88-04-52165-1 Friendship – Everyday life – Diversity Ilaria, the 12-year-old heroine of this novel, narrates her quiet, ordinary family life that is suddenly turned upside down. She is forced to share her world with two other children: Babu, an Indian orphan whom Ilaria’s parents are going to adopt, and her cousin Alina, whose mother, a journalist, has been kidnapped by the Taliban. In her account – always gentle in style and at times slightly ironical – Ilaria describes big world events like September 11 and the war in Afghanistan. But she also gives a description of her daily effort to grow up, to cope with all the changes in her life, always asking herself questions about her feelings, the whole world, and life as such. (12+) ☆ Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 127 Madia, Claudio (text) Cantone, Annalaura (illus.) Manuale di piccolo circo (Handbook for a small circus) Milano : Feltrinelli Kids, 2003. 199 p. (Feltrinelli kids : Sbuk) ISBN 88-07-92062-x Circus – Wonder – Game – Creativity Who on earth will be interested in a handbook for a circus? Still, if you enter into the spirit of the »small circus«– not the one with exotic animals, but the circus of acrobats and jugglers – you will certainly be fascinated, not least because of the gorgeous illustrations by Anna Laura Cantone. The book is rich in practical tips introduced in a simple and winning way which may help children to learn about the possibilities of expression inherent in the human body. In addition, it also teaches readers how to make objects using plain materials, which can become means of communication and entertainment. This is a very original book for kids who will discover the secrets of a »circus in a suitcase«, but also for adults who want to share this pleasure with children. (10+) Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 128 Mariniello, Cecco (text/illus.) È strano Beppino (Beppino is odd) Padova : Ed. Messaggero Padova, 2003. 46 p. (I gatti bianchi) ISBN 88-250-1240-3 Differentness – Book – Monster In this book, the theme of being different is presented to children in a witty and amusing way. After the death of his parents, Beppino goes to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins. They are quite a ‘normal’ family, meaning they watch a lot of TV and usually go along with the fashion. They shake their heads at Beppino and mutter »Beppino is definitely weird!« simply because his interests and tastes sound odd to them: He loves reading adventure books, has many friends from faraway countries and has a passion for monsters. One day, he finally comes across some friendly monsters who invite him to spend an unforgettable day in their secret underground city. (4+) Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 129 Masini, Beatrice (text) Monaco, Octavia (illus.) La spada e il cuore : donne della Bibbia (The sword and the heart : women in the Bible) San Dorligo della Valle (Trieste) : Ed. EL, 2003. 119 p. (Sirene ; 6) ISBN 88-477-1296-3 Bible – Woman This book, which results from an imaginative and even fanciful reading of the Bible and Jewish legends, is part of the collection »Sirene« – a series of stories about women. The author narrates sevRomance Languages /Italy enteen tales about Eve, Ruth, and Judith, but also about Lilith and little Mary, varying in tone and form: There are first-person narrations as well as dialogues. They portray a life of labour and hard work, often in a distant world made of sand, long marches in the desert, and loneliness, which the women are only able to deal with through patience and determination. Each story is accompanied by an impressive colour plate by Octavia Monaco. (10+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 130 Nava, Emanuela (text) Mazzoleni, Khurshid (text) Guicciardini, Desideria (illus.) Sognando l’India (Dreaming about India) Casale Monferrato (AL) : Piemme Junior, 2003. 112 p. (Il battello a vapore : Serie azzurra ; 58) ISBN 88-384-3563-4 Italy – India – Children – Culture – Difference This book was written by ‘four hands’, the author and her Indian-born son, that is, whom she adopted when he was seven. Now he is eleven, but he still remembers the life in his native country quite well. In a lively style, the first-person narrator continuously compares the two different ways of life. Apart from that, he also relates many traditional Indian stories about tigers, holy men, maharajas, and sorcerers. »Italian children don’t do anything at all. Back in India I used to carry hay over my head, I used to plant the garden, and fry spicy pancakes.« In the foreground, we see different conditions of life for children and different conceptions of freedom. The style is ironical – even unconventional at times – and everything is presented in a very direct way. This original and curious book may help readers to reflect on cultural differences in an open and stimulating way. (7+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 131 Negrin, Fabian (text/illus.) In bocca al lupo (In the jaws of the wolf ) Roma : Orecchio Acerbo, 2003. [28] p. ISBN 88-900693-7-6 Wolf – Girl – Love – Angel The protagonists of this highly refined small masterpiece are Little Red Riding Hood and the rest of the cast from the well-known fairy tale of that title. The pictures, the landscape, and the atmosphere, however, are completely different, so that the tale assumes new meanings. Adolf, the wolf, is fascinated by a lovely little girl dressed in red, who in turn also finds the wolf simply gorgeous. »Are you an angel by any chance?« she asks him. But then, by sheer accident, she somehow falls into the jaws of the wolf, who – quite unwillingly – devours her and then yields to despair. Killed by the hunter, the angel-wolf lives on a cloud and looks down onto his lost twin spirit – still hungry. Very suitable for reading aloud, this book inivites people of all ages to always listen to both sides of a story. (4+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 132 Novelli, Luca (text/illus.) Archimede e le sue macchine da guerra (Archimedes and his war machines) Trieste : Ed. Scienza, 2003. 112 p. (Lampi di genio) ISBN 88-7307-237-2 Science – Archimedes This book is part of a series of popular non-fiction books for children about the lives and discoveries of scientists from all ages. Here, it is Archimedes who tells us about his childhood, his travels, his research work in the library in Alexandria, and the awe-inspiring war machines he built although he was a peace-loving person. The story keeps running smoothly, the chapters follow in quick succession, and the language is fresh and conversational. The pages are filled with cartoons and hatched drawings and contain amusing anecdotes. Short informative tables are scattered across the narration and a »small Archimedian dictionary « can be found at the end of the book. (9+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 133 Pace e tocco terra (Peace and I touch ground ) Roma : Ed. Lapis, 2003. [28] p. (I Lapislazzuli) ISBN 88-87546-72-x War – Dreams – Peace In a world where many people seem to think that war is the only way to solve conflicts, the need for peace is growing. This book offers a collection of short stories, poems, and ballads. The six authors and the six illustrators – all of them Italian – are masters in the art of playing with words and pictures. Their texts, very different in genre and style, have a common aim: Against all apparent logic, they suggest the idea of a world where it is actually possible to have peace. In her poem No gravity, for example, Silvia Roncaglia pictures a world in which war becomes impossible because of a law of physics. Ennio Cavalli, Emanuela Nava, and Nicola Cinquetti present a modern tale, and Aquilino a script, while Arianna Papini has written a rap-song for peace. (8+) ☆ Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 134 Quarenghi, Giusi (text) Orecchia, Giulia (illus.) Lupo lupo, ma ci sei? (Wolf, wolf, are you there?) Firenze : Giunti Kids, 2003. [24] p. ISBN 88-09-03033-8 Wolf – Fear This lovely lift-the-flap book is particularly suitable for reading aloud with an expressive voice. It is written in the form of a dialogue and created according to the technique of »trompe d’oeil«, so that the pictures keep deceiving the reader because things are never quite what they seem to be and always hide a new surprise. A little girl dressed in red keeps calling the wolf, who never appears. When you lift the flap, the figure that you might have considered to be the wolf turns into a different animal or thing, even into the girl’s own mother. This picture book offers a continuous succession of suspense and relief, a pleasant game of ambiguity. (4+) Special Mention - Italy (Italian) - 2004 - 135 Rapaccini, Chiara (text/illus.) M’ama (Mother or Still she loves me <pun>) Milano : Buena Vista, 2003. 133 p. (I libri che accendono) ISBN 88-8437-081-7 Mother – Child »What is your mother like?« In an ironical way, the author portrays fourteen different types of mothers: the nosy parker (one of the worst), for example, who peeps into her children’s diaries, the octopus-type, far too affectionate and almost suffocating, the always-rushing mother, and the plump one (definitely the nicest). Nevertheless, there is only one who is really bad: the mother of Hänsel and Gretel. The stories, enriched with many witty black-and-white drawings, almost seem like ‘exercises in style’: In turn they sound like pages from a diary, letters, e-mails, advertisement slogans, soap operas, news reports and even advice in etiquette from the good old days. At the end, you can find »mummy cards« to cut out and assemble so that you can create your own ideal ‘specimen’! (10+) </td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>