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| Cover of The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi and Roberto Innocenti Creative Editions illustrated hardcover edition set in a snowy Tuscan village classic story retold through art |
You decide to search for the best unabridged and illustrated (non-Disney) version of Carlo Collodi's classic The Adventures of Pinocchio.
How difficult can it be? I mean, its Pinocchio!
How much time do you need to find a great edition of the puppet boy? Five minutes? Thirty minutes? Five hours?
Or days?
Well, as you probably suppose - five minutes was my original guess as well.
There must be only one book that is the clear winner.
Illustrators may attempt, but one will come out on top.
At least, that is how I expected this to play out.
Well, I could not have been more wrong.
This is one of those children's classics that I almost gave up on, after browsing for days and feeling that I was getting nowhere.
But let me make a digression here.
Namely, I did mention in one of my earlier posts that I always look for nicely illustrated, hardcover unabridged editions of the most important children's classics for my twins.
I want these cornerstone books to be really memorable for my kids.
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| Illustration from The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi and Roberto Innocenti Geppetto and Pinocchio in courtyard Tuscan night lit by lantern Creative Editions classic illustrated book |
Speaking of memorable books, before we go any further I need to tell you about my Disney policy.
I avoid Disney for the time being.
This doesn't mean I don't have Disney in the house - but its not something I show to my kids regularly yet - they've seen some, but not very much.
I will leave it as a small treat for when they start learning to read, not as the main dish of our read-aloud sessions.
I really want is for my kids to get to know the Disney versions of stories only after they read/hear the unabridged original stories - be it Pinocchio, 101 Dalmatians, Bambi, Peter Pan, you name it.
But I'm going off track.
What am I looking for in an ideal Pinocchio?
Here is my five-point test that must be passed for a book to be shortlisted. My ideal Pinocchio is:
- Hardcover
- Unabridged - a translation of the original text. (Not a synthesized, easy reader, learn-to-read, edited or watered-down version). The best thing for your kids is to listen to the original version of most (all) books
- Illustrated - nicely (also for children) if possible!
- A big enough read-aloud edition (no pocket ones for me, please!)
- The book and pages must catch my eye after I browse in detail through it on local and online bookstores (if I can't see an edition in my local bookstore - I browse and browse through everything I can find about it)!
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illustrated by Roberto Innocenti The puppet theater in square crowds gather on snowy morning vivid Tuscan village street scene |
I thought to myself - if I can't find a true version of Collodi's Pinocchio that will floor my kids with its beauty, I will wait a couple of years and look again.
Like Humpty Dumpty, I was indecisive. I almost ordered the Sara Fanelli illustrated version of Pinocchio that looks smashing - but I gave up at the last moment.
The Fanelli version is a bold, collage-style visual reinterpretation of Collodi’s classic, published by Candlewick Press (UK).
The collage-style marvel is a Pinocchio edition translated by Emma Rose.
Although it was innovative, daring ... I also suspected parents would enjoy Fanelli's effort more than kids.
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translated by Emma Rose edition illustrated by artist Sara Fanelli bright collage style Candlewick Press modern retelling with playful design |
Fanelli's original illustrations are full of life, but I was afraid that her two-dimensional Pinocchio might fail to capture the "hearts and minds" my little troops.
It seemed more suitable for a slightly more mature audience than the age of my two little twins.
Her illustrations are a mix of collage and ink - daring, original and novel.
But maybe too experimental for my kids who want illustrations to help them comprehend the story easier.
I went back and looked again at one of the best designed and illustrated options (The Adventures of Pinocchio, published by Creative Editions) available.
It was an option I initially discarded and .... I realized it was my ideal choice all along.
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the puppet sets out bravely moonlit road to Playland ahead donkey-drawn coach full of boys Innocenti’s haunting night imagery |
Originally, I had set it aside for two reasons: the cover looked a bit dark and there was a controversial illustration inside - according to several online reviewers.
Namely, one of the reviews I read mentioned a scene in which Pinocchio is hanging from the tree. I thought - maybe this is not for us.
I was wrong on both counts.
The illustrations that I have seen by Roberto Innocenti are simply breathtaking.
When I looked inside all I saw was art, art and beauty.
Innocenti is an artist from Florence who was awarded the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award for contributions to children's literature in 2008.
He is a self-taught illustrator who - if I remember well - started off in life by working in a steel mill. His other illustrated books are are apparently a treat as well.
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by Carlo Collodi and Roberto Innocenti The giant shark opens wide Pinocchio fights the stormy sea dramatic watercolor Creative Editions art |
As regards the scene in which Pinocchio hangs from a tree - I mention it solely as some parents may not like the fact that it even exists.
It depicts an event from Collodi's narrative - but don't forget the original Pinocchio is much more complex than the Disney version that we are all used to see.
Nevertheless, the scene is not so dramatic, at least in my opinion, that it deserves to disqualify the book.
Furthermore, the discerning read-aloud parent may choose to skip the illustration until the kids are big enough.
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by Carlo Collodi and Roberto Innocenti Pinocchio digging in sunny field Tuscan farmhouse olive tree nearby Creative Editions detailed countryside scene |
Anyhow, I believe that kids should not be exposed only to sugary versions of life.
Good books such as Pinocchio are there for a purpose.
These books allow us to share some real life lessons and they also allow children's inner fantasies to fly in unexpected directions.
The book helps you absorb that living life means to take a little bad with the good.
After much soul-searching I finally recognized what I was looking for all this time. Indeed, a gem of a book.
The chips fell and our selection was Innocenti's entrancing version of Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio.
Now that you know my favorite version of Pinocchio, I'd love to know what is yours?
Happy reading,
Read Aloud Dad
Where to buy
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Tip: choose your local store for fastest delivery and the right edition.
Further resources for parents (opens in new window – not affiliate links):
- Google Books bibliographic record (translator & ISBN): Lists translator Mary Alice Murray; Creative Company 2005
- IBBY — Hans Christian Andersen Award (Innocenti 2008): Innocenti listed as the 2008 illustrator laureate
- Palazzo Medici Riccardi — Innocenti exhibition note (2024): Short Innocenti profile confirming the Andersen accolade
- Water Bear Reads — review of the Innocenti edition: Notes on images added in later printings; edition comparison
- Interview/profile — Innocenti & craft (Andersen features): Snapshot of career, research depth, and process
Hello, and thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised no one mentioned Robert Ingpen's version. How does it compare to Innocenti's?
Hi Howie,
ReplyDeleteGreat question! Robert Ingpen's version (http://amzn.to/YCfwyr) is certainly a popular choice!
Ingpen is a giant in the field of children's book illustrations and I am so happy that you posed that question. .
The reason why I did not include his version is simple - I am not one of the biggest fans of Ingpen's illustrations (they just don't work that well for me personally).
However, Ingpen's Pinocchio is certainly a richly illustrated version that every parent should look at before making a final choice - thanks for that great reminder!
Read Aloud Dad
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