From the father of modern Italian children’s literature, this is one of the great works on the imagination and how stories get made—with radiant illustrations from Matthew Forsythe and a refreshed translation from Jack Zipes.
“Holds great value for the adults who teach kids and the adults who write for them.“ —Mac Barnett, U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, for the New York Times
“The ultimate synthesis of Rodari’s exuberant knowledge, a book of both pedagogy and poetics, poetry for teachers and pedagogy for poets.” —Italo Calvino
★ “A must-have for educators and librarians looking to inject creativity into their classrooms. Rodari provides a thoughtful, informed approach to how imagination and play can foster critical thinking.” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW!
Translated into English by acclaimed children’s literature historian Jack Zipes and illustrated for the first time ever by Matthew Forsythe, this edition is the ultimate guide for all teachers and creatives. “I hope this small book,” writes Rodari, “can be useful for all those people who believe it is necessary for the imagination to have a place in education; for all those who trust in the creativity of children; and for all those who know the liberating value of the word.”