An ancient, folkloric version of a famous fable: Little Red Riding Hood. A version preceding Charles Perrault. In our story, the little girl saves herself from the evilish hunger of the wolf, thanks to a clever trick. No God-sent hunter to solve the situation: the little girl succeeds in escaping the evil, counting only on her fear and cleverness. A declaration of trust in kids, and in their inexhaustible resources of intelligence, ingenuity and courage. [Text in Italian]
A long, longtime ago, there was an emperor with a terrible passion for new and expensive clothes; he would spend all his money in luxurious garments and decoration. He didn't care about soldiers, theatre or travelling through his empire, all he was interested in was showing off the most fashionable outfits. He had one for each time of the day and would spend most of his life in his wardrobe. The famous tale by Hans Christian Andersen about the foolish and hypocritical nature of power is finely illustrated by Albertine in a brand new translation by Daniela Iride Murgia. [Text in Italian]
Once upon a time there were three little pigs. Or rather, two little male-pigs; because the third one was a female-pig. So begins this new version of the famous fairy tale. The introduction of the female character brings a revolution in the plot. Because the third little pig, although scared by the wolf, does not want to stay calm into a comfortable, safe and warm house waiting. Unlike her brothers, she is not so sure this is a good idea. And so she comes up with a solution of her own. A very clever one.
Once upon a time in Persia, there was a girl who had never looked at herself in the mirror, so she did not know what she looked like. Her beauty attracts a man who wants to marry her. But, as in the best legends, a mysterious beginning leads to a series of misfortunes until she runs away and he leaves in desperate pursuit of her. Text by Sahar Doustar, who was born in Iran but moved to Italy, and illustrations by Daniela Tieni, guide readers towards a moving ending. [Text in Italian]
Gioconda Belli and Alicia Baladan wonderfully rielaborate the legend of how the first laughter came into being. In a sort of eden made of a lush and mysterious tropical forest, the protagonists realize they are the first man and the first woman on earth and they start playing with the plants and the animals around them. A story about generosity and nature where, by means of marvelous words and images, everything becomes light, joy and colour. [Text in Italian]
Rosmarino receives a magic wand as a birthday present. What for a magic wand? She had wished roller skates but that’s forbidden to fairies. “What if you fall down and get nose-bleed?” Her mom says. “That’s not nice for a fairy”. Rosmarino would rather be a witch, fairies are just so boring. Will she become so? You’ll find out reading Rosmarino’s adventures though Carll Cneut stunning illustrations. [Text in Italian]
The well known Sardinian legend of the magic goat who leads a shepherd boy to a treasure had a great influence on Maria Lai’s work. She rewrote it again and again, imagining a different ending. The story in this book comes from a contamination of many different versions and it’s a metaphor of the power of art. Along with the story, the illustrations by Gioia Marchegiani narrate the landscape and the culture of the island. [Text in Italian]
A huge, purple-golden cloud lifts above the sea. What is it? It’s the dust falling off the butterflies wings after a terrible trial has stated they must give it away in the name of profit. But not all hope is lost, younger butterfly generations are still sleeping in their cocoons, ready to fly up in the spring air. A wonderful story by Lucia Tumiati on the struggle of beauty against wicked power, in a book that spreads out with real wings drawn by Francesca Zoboli. [Text in Italian]
Tomi lives in a an African village which is just as old as the Earth, like Grandpa Ba is used to tell children under the Galam tree, where they gather to listen to his stories on the beginning of the world. He tells about a millet grain that started life and all creatures: men, animals, plants; and stories about tortoises and stars, which were once so close that children could play with them. The day Ba’s soul decides to return to its millet grain, Tomi realizes he must keep these stories alive so to preserve his people.