The Adventures of Pinocchio

October 1, 1988
Innocenti's luminous interpretation of Collodi's tale carves the action out of 19th century Italian landscapes. Clearly shown as a mocking marionette, this Pinocchio races through cobbled city scenes and then throws himself prostrate at the personor fairywhom he has most recently wronged by his hasty, thoughtless behavior. And when he becomes a real boy, the transformation is resounding: left slumped on a chair is the body of a puppet; readers may marvel that what lies so lifeless in that scene was the source of so much trouble earlier on. Enchantment reigns in the pictures, each a perfect elaboration of the text. Innocenti and Collodi are equally at home in a place where puppets have life beyond human hands, and where souls may die and live again, resurrected by the power of love. All ages.

June 1, 1998
On December 25, a new live-action version of the classic tale Pinocchio, starring and directed by Roberto Benigni, will open in the U.S. Many versions of the original story by Carlo Collodi are already available, but Steerforth Press is issuing a new edition of The Adventures of Pinocchio for the occasion. Fluidly translated from the Italian by Nancy Canepa and sporting stylish line drawings by Carmelo Lettere, this should prove a tasteful alternative to the inevitable tie-in edition, and if prominently displayed could sell well over the holidays. Collodi's witty, satiric tale is much harsher than its Hollywood adaptation, and grownups will appreciate it as much or more than children.