EUROTOOLBOX 2013-2014

ITALIAN COLLECTION

Italian Cultural Institute - www.icilondon.esteri.it

1) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AGED 4 AND UNDER:

1.1 Gianni RODARI; BOMBO [i. e. Maurizio Santucci] - Storia universale

1.2 Roberto PIUMINI; Nicoletta COSTA - Il principe ranocchio

1.3 Nicoletta COSTA - La maestra Margherita

1.4 Francesco ALTAN - Pippo pettirosso e la farfalla

1.5 Francesco ALTAN - Pimpa scopre il mondo

2) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 10:

2.1 Carla CICCOLI; Desideria GUICCIARDINI - La guerra degli scoiattoli

2.2 Italo CALVINO; Pia VALENTINIS - Fiabe da far paura: appena appena, non tanto

2.3 Maria STRIANESE; Valentina GRASSINI - Alla ricerca dei colori perduti

2.4 Sara AGOSTINI; Marta TONIN - Le sei storie delle paroline magiche

2.5 Bruno TOGNOLINI; Alessandro SANNA - Nidi di note : un cammino in in dieci passi verso la musica

3) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 AND ABOVE:

3.1 Guido QUARZO - La meravigliosa macchina di Pietro Corvo

3.2 Silvia VECCHINI; SUALZO [i.e. Antonio Vincenti] - Fiato sospeso

3.3 Guido SGARBOLI - The frozen boy

3.4 Luisa MATTIA; Diego FARINA - Caravaggio e l’incanto della strega

4) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AGED 15 AND ABOVE:

4.1 Niccolo’ AMMANITI - Io e te

1) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AGED 4 AND UNDER:

1.1 Storia universale / Gianni Rodari ; Bombo [i. e. Maurizio Santucci] - San Dorligo della Valle : Emme, 2010 [ISBN] 978-88-6079-529-8

►Synopsis: Narrating in less than 150 words the history of the world and Man’s role on Earth. Simply done, transmitting emotions and above all, using suitable language for a child - Is this Mission Impossible? Not for Gianni Rodari who has succeeded in doing just this with his text. As is always the case with Rodari’s language, wit and a critical awareness and above all that ‘universal’ point of view pervade his text which imparts a message which is actual and common to all humanity.

►The author: Gianni Rodari (23 October 1920 – 14 April 1980) was an Italian writer and journalist, most famous for his children's books. For his lasting contribution as a children's writer he received the biennial Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1970 and many consider him Italy's most important twentieth-century children's author. His books have been translated into many languages, though few have been published in English.

►The illustrator: Bombo! (AKA Maurizio Santucci) was born in Barga, outside of Lucca, Italy, where he still lives and works. He attended ISIA design school in Florence from 2000 to 2004. After two years working in advertising agencies, he became a freelance illustrator. He also writes and illustrates short comic books. In 2008 he won the award for Illustratori Italiani Annual 2008. It leaves no doubt that his work is featured in many exhibitions and publications. Bombo constructs his images from paper cut-outs and reworks the colors and textures digitally, playing with contrast and shapes to breathe life into his fantastic creations. He always tries to generate surprise by adding a touch of the unreal to his situations and characters, which seem to exist outside of time and space. His works are charismatic, projecting ephemeral feelings and quirky characters. With work done for Rolling Stone, Vodafone and Mini Atypica International and many more. I recommend that you take a look at his portfolio, Bomboland, where you will find some truly amazing work.

1.2 Il principe ranocchio / Roberto Piumini (from J. e W. Grimm); Nicoletta Costa / - San Dorligo della Valle : El, 2012 [ISBN] 978-88-477-2859-2

►Synopsis: A beautiful princess is looking for a ball she lost in the flowers by the pond. There she meets a little frog and they become friends. She finds out that the frog is actually a beautiful prince under an evil spell and only a kiss from the princess can save him.

►The author: Roberto Piumini lives in Milan. He is well known for his literary translations, fairy tales, and poems, and his songs and texts for the theatre. Roberto has also published several novels and collections of stories for adults.

►The illustrator: Nicoletta Costa was born in Trieste in 1953. She wrote her first short story when she was only twelve. In 1977 she graduated in Architecture, but after a few years she abandoned her profession to devote herself to her great passion: writing and illustrating children's books. In 1989 she received the Andersen Prize - Il mondo per l'infanzia - for the best book for children (0-6 years). In 1993 she designed the set and costumes for Hansel and Gretel by Humperdink. In 1994 she was awarded again the Andersen Prize - Il mondo per l'infanzia - as best illustrator. Her books are published by the most important Italian and foreign publishing houses.

1.3 La maestra Margherita / Nicoletta Costa - San Dorligo della Valle : Einaudi ragazzi, 2011 [ISBN] 978-88-7926-912-4

►Synopsis: Not all Teachers are the same, and some are truly unique.... Like Margherita. She is a total disaster, she has red curly hair which is always messy and her jumpers are always torn and dirty. Margherita has a mischievous cat that gets up to all sorts of mischief often making Margherita late for work. Margherita can’t cook and nearly always eats biscuits and chocolate. When Margherita goes skiing she is very clumsy because she isn’t very brave. However Margherita adores her student and cares a lot about each and every one of them!

►The author/illustrator: Nicoletta Costa was born in Trieste in 1953. She wrote her first short story when she was only twelve. In 1977 she graduated in Architecture, but after a few years she abandoned her profession to devote herself to her great passion: writing and illustrating children's books. In 1989 she received the Andersen Prize - Il mondo per l'infanzia - for the best book for children (0-6 years). In 1993 she designed the set and costumes for Hansel and Gretel by Humperdink. In 1994 she was awarded again the Andersen Prize - Il mondo per l'infanzia - as best illustrator. Her books are published by the most important Italian and foreign publishing houses.

1.4 Pippo pettirosso e la farfalla / Francesco Altan - San Dorligo della Valle : Emme, [2012] [ISBN] 978-88-6079-098-9

►Synopsis: Pippo the Robin has a new friend; he met her in the grass as he passed from flower to flower. She has bright colorful wings and never gets tired of flying: it's a butterfly! Finally Pippo has someone to share the joy of beating wings with.

►The author/illustrator: Francesco Tullio Altan was born in Treviso in 1942 and currently lives in Aquileia. He started his career in Rome and Rio de Janeiro where he worked as a scriptwriter and a set designer both for cinema and television, an activity he has never given up from then on. For the children magazine Il Corriere dei Piccoli he created Pimpa, a dog who is the main character of comic strips that since 1987 have been published in a monthly magazine. In the last few years, Pimpa has also been the main character of an animation film and of an interactive cd-rom. Altan's comics for adults have been published all over the world.

1.5 Pimpa scopre il mondo / Altan - Modena : Franco Cosimo Panini, 2013 [ISBN] 978-88-570-0579-9

►Synopsis: Space is very large, there is a field and on the field there is a box and in the box there is Pimpa who is asleep. When the sun rises Pimpa awakes and looks at the sky to see what the weather is like. That is how Pimpa’s day begins during which she discovers the world with so many insect, birds, with seasons that change; she discovers the sea and many other things.

►The author/illustrator: Francesco Tullio Altan (born 30 September 1942) is an Italian comics artist and satirist. La Pimpa is an Italian comic strip created by him. The comic strip was published by the comics magazine Corriere dei Piccoli from 1975 until 1995; from 1987 it also became the leading character of an eponym monthly children magazine. Pimpa was also subject of two animated series, directed by Osvaldo Cavandoli and Enzo D'Alò, produced and broadcast by Rai TV and later released on DVD. In 1998 Pimpa was the main character in two stage plays, Pimpa Cappuccetto Rosso and Pimpa, Kamillo e il libro magico.

2) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 10:

2.1 La guerra degli scoiattoli / Carla Ciccoli; Desideria Guicciardini - Milano : Piemme, 2012 [ISBN] 978-88-566-2709-1

►Synopsis: Almost a century has passed since in London a war is waging between English red squirrels, and grey squirrels which have migrated from America. Eleanor and Marvin, a pleasant pair of homing-pigeons one day find a small bundle on their doorstep: it’s a half grey and half red squirrel. They do not hesitate to adopt him and raise him according to the conventions of polite society and respect for diversity. And it is Lenny who will finally be able to bring peace once more among his kind.►The author: Carla Ciccoli was born in Rome in 1979 where she still lives. She is a professional Childhood Psychologist. She a great reader and has started writing children stories since a very young age. With “La Guerra degli Scoiattoli” has won the Battello a Vapore Best Writer Award in the year 2011. She has also been awarded the Gigante delle Langhe Prize in the year 2012 as best children’s writer.

►The illustrator: Born in Florence in 1954 Desideria Guicciardini now lives and works in Milan. By specializing in the illustration of children books, she has conquered a vast audience among young readers. Her reputation has earned her contracts with the most important publishers in the field.

2.2 Fiabe da far paura : appena appena, non tanto / Italo Calvino; Pia Valentinis - Milano : Mondadori, 2013 [ISBN] 978-88-04-62716-6

►Synopsis: Six fairy tales to scare: a little, not too much. They should be read with the light on. They are illuminated by the intense and original text of Pia Valentinis. The Italian Folktales contain the treasure of traditional folklore; from this treasure chest Calvino himself has selected these stories for children, in which the lives of people and animals are intertwined with magic and timeless wonder.

►The author: Italo Calvino is an Italian novelist and journalist; his whimsical and imaginative fables made him one of the most important Italian fiction writers of the 20th century. Calvino left Cuba for Italy in his youth. He joined the Italian Resistance during World War II and after the war settled in Turin, obtaining his degree in literature while working for the publishing house Einaudi.

►The illustrator: Pia Valentinis was born in Udine. Soon after completing her education at the Academy of Art in Udine, she has started illustrating many children’s books for national and international publishers (Arka, C’era una volta, Fatatrac, Giunti, Sonda, Einaudi Ragazzi, Fabbri, Nuove edizioni Romane, Gakken, Grimm Press, Grandir). She has displayed her work in various personal and collective exhibitions and runs visual art workshops for children.

2.3 Alla ricerca dei colori perduti / Maria Strianese; Valentina Grassini - [Monte San Vito! : Raffaello, 2009 [ISBN] 978-88-472-1407-1

►Synopsis: The book deals with themes which are very current including the dangers of pollution, the importance of recycling and the need for everyone to be committed to the environment even in the most modest things. At the end of the project it has been considered indispensable to allow the pupils to meet the authoress because such a meeting can lead to a strategy which can stimulate a lively and dynamic view of the book and can favor the discovery of reading a book as a free and pleasant experience. The book and the meeting serve as a runway for original travels in which many varied experiences and emotions can be engendered - fantasies, thoughts and reflection among the pupils.

►The author: Maria Strianese is a very well known writer of Neapolitan origins. She has published several essays and books winning several writers’ awards.

►The illustrator: Valentina Grassini’s biography in her own words: “I was born in Milan in the hot summer on 1981. After getting qualification at “Istituto Magistrale Carlo Tenca” in Milan, my studies went on in drawing subjects and humorist comic strip. (Comic strip School, Savona Street, Milan). With my passion in colouring, I paint wherever I am. I’m working in drawing and illustration field: picture for web animation, illustrations for children books as well as I’m painting Geronimo Stilton; I’ve also taught myself “Colours Theory and Technical Painting” at the Comic Strip School. Among all these jobs I realize my own paintings or little craftworks. In my little free time I like to cook cakes and biscuits; I’m used to my inseparable bicycle and I love swimming.”

2.4 Le sei storie delle paroline magiche / Sara Agostini ; illustrazioni di Marta Tonin - Milano : Gribaudo, 2012 [ISBN] 978-88-580-0660-3

►Synopsis: Nursery rhymes and colorful illustrations to discover the value of six very important words.

►The author: Sara Agostini was born in Verona. She has always loved writing stories for children and has dedicated most of her young life educating them. She has published many book series with Gribaudo such as as: “Le paroline magiche”, “I colori delle emozioni”, “Sai dirmi perché?”, “Gli Scricciolibri”.

►The illustrator: Marta Tonin biography in her own words: “Hi, My name is Marta Tonin, I love the red color, the sun, the sea and the true people...I love to change the drawing style and I love angels and fairies... I am a set designer turned into an illustrator and now I teach art and images in Verona.I have published with Gribaudo edition, Open City, Giunti, Demeter’s Association U.S. National Melamusic Mill, Don Quixote...I took part to the childhood exhibition of the Teatrio Association “Monsters are coming” in Chioggia, to the competition “Elide where are you?” In Florence and to the book fair for several years...I created poster for Scandecor, a gnome’s world for Old and New (statuette), manifest, leaflet for advertising and business meeting, Algida mugs, whishes cards for Cartorama and bags...The Tourist Union of Rivoli (Turin), for Christmas 2003, was inspired by my tables “The true Story of Santa Claus” and also Giunti, when was building the Santa Claus Village, took the idea to make the inhabitants clothes from them.I won THE FIRST NATIONAL LITERATURE PRIZE FOR KIDS of Biella City, in the 3rd edition, with the writer Martina Zaninelli, thanks to the book “Mio padre e’ un uomo d’onore (My father is a man of honor” Citta’ Aperta 2006).I was interviewed for the Swiss magazine “The Fairy” during 2010.Thank you for your attention! I give you a peace smile!

2.5 Nidi di note : un cammino in dieci passi verso la musica / [Bruno Tognolini ; Alessandro Sanna ; [music by Paolo Fresu; Sonia Peana] - Roma : Gallucci, 2012 [ISBN] 978-88-6145-381-4

►Synopsis: This is the story of Cirino e Coretta a brother and sister who leave on a journey to find the Playing Sun and the Singing Moon. It is a book which narrates fairy-tales and shows and illustrates figures and characters, plays music and recounts nursery-rhymes. It can be read and listened to as a musical journey of musical education for children, or as a journey of personal discovery and the world for all. Or simply as an enchanting fairy-tale.The hidden CD in this Nest of Notes contains an hour of music and poetry and ten original extracts played by Paolo Fresu, Sonia Peana and The Devil Quartet, and the eleven nursery-rhymes of the book performed by Bruno Tognolini.►The author: Bruno Tognolini was born in Cagliari in 1951. As a child he liked to do two things: reading and building things, collecting little slithers of wood, small tacks and bits of cord. However, the amazing stories that he read in his books never happened to him. It was such a shame, so what was he to do? He already had the secret in hand: the stories were just like these toys, all that was needed was to look at them, collect those that would be useful and write them himself. So he became a children’s writer, not even he knows why: perhaps to tell stories to his daughter Angela, because then he could write in verse… who knows. He has written books, written for TV, the theatre, has won important prizes and is very pleased with everything: but he is still around, bent over his little slithers of words, because, he is convinced, that that the best story is yet to come.►The illustrator: Alessandro Sanna was born in 1975 on the plain between Mantova, Verona and Modena, but his father put the love of the sea and the wind from Sardinia into his veins. From a child, he was convinced that he knew how to fly, predict the future and imitate all the sounds of creation. He always played a great deal, with others in the open air or alone with cigarette stubs of superheroes and little cars. At the age of eleven, this passion for toys turned towards design: to design, design and design again, forgetting that there are other things in life. Now that he is designing as a job, he can rediscover and appreciate the other things in life, because those are the things that allow him to continue to play with paintbrushes, pencils, dirty hands and uncontrollable drops of water.

3) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 AND ABOVE:

3.1 La meravigliosa macchina di Pietro Corvo / Quarzo, Guido , Corvo Milano : Salani, 2013 [ISBN] 978-88-6715-117-2

►Synopsis: XVIII century Turin. This is the story of an orphan named Giacomo, sent against his will into the workshop of a very unusual clockmaker, Pietro Corvo. Even though Corvo looks really horrible, Giacomo isn’t afraid and he soon begins to enjoy and quickly learn his trade. Pietro Corvo is hopelessly in love with the daughter of the Marquis of Moncalvo. She is really beautiful but is unable to play the violin. Corvo doesn’t want to acknowledge that and Giacomo doesn’t know how to help him. Yet a completely mad but brilliant idea seems to restore Pietro’s ‘joie de vivre’. With Giacomo’s help, he will build a mechanical doll, identical to Irina which is able to play the violin. For both of them, it is just the beginning of a series of problems.

►The author: Guido Quarzo was born in Turin where he still lives and works. Since 1989 has published many stories, novels, and poems for young readers. In 1995 has won the prestigious Andersen Prize and the following year the Cento Prize proving to be one of the most interesting and important contemporary Italian writer in his field. In 1999 he has decided to stop working as a teacher and has devoted his time almost entirely to his work as a writer. Among his novels we would like to mention L'ultimo lupo mannaro in città, Clara va al mare, Il libraio sotterraneo and Il bambino che guarda l'isola, all published by Salani.

3.2 Fiato sospeso / Silvia Vecchini, Sualzo [i.e. Antonio Vincenti] - Latina : Tunué, 2011 [ISBN] 978-88-97165-24-8

►Synopsis: a book which discusses difficult topics such as adolescence, describing steps which are a beginning, a push, a dive off of a safe springboard (family, childhood, attention and care received…) into a world in which everyone has to find their own way of keeping their head above water, going ahead, sinking and re-emerging, coming through the other side.

►The author: Silvia Vecchini biography in her own words: “I live in Umbria, in a small village deep in the green hills near the Lake Trasimeno. I have three children. I studied Italian Literature at the University of Perugia and I have always cultivated a passion for poetry and writing. I love every form of creativity and I have contributed to many schools and museums projects.I write books for children and teenagers cooperating with various publishers (Piemme, Giunti, San Paolo, Emi, Edumond, Edizioni Corsare, Il Pozzo di Giacobbe, Monti etc.). In response to children's curiosity I’m also running reading groups and creative workshops at schools and libraries”.

►The illustrator: Sualzo (Perugia 1969) is an author and illustrator. His books have been translated al over the world. With the graphic novel “L’Improvvisatore” published by Rizzoli-Lizard, he has won the Festi’BD di Moulins 2009 Prize for the best scriptwriting. He was also one of the final contenders for the Micheluzzi Prize 2010.

3.3 The frozen boy / Guido Sgardoli - Cinisello Balsamo : San Paolo, 2011 - [ISBN] 978-88-215-7098-8

►Synopsis: Robert Warren has to cope with a wrecked marriage and the death of his son, whilst his life-long studies have led to the creation of the atomic bomb, making him now the only man alive. Obsessed by remorse, Warren goes to an isolated ice-bound scientific station in Greenland. However, just when all his hope seems to have disappeared, something changes his life for ever – something which science can neither name nor explain. Inside a thick slab of ice, Warren discovers the body of a boy.

►The author: Guido Sgarboli was born in San Dona’ del Piave (VE) in 1965 and lives and works in Treviso. He is regarded as one of the most important Italian writers in the panorama of contemporary children’s literature. He is a very investigative veterinary and a keen traveller. Has written numerous successful stories and, due to his original and versatile style, has won many prizes including the Bancarellino and, in the year 2009, the prestigious Andersen as best writer. The story of Warren and Jim, the first published with San Paolo, is an intriguing encounter between science, fantasy and reality.

3.4 Caravaggio e l’incanto della Strega / Luisa Mattia – Roma: Lapis, 2009 [ISBN] 978-88-7874-125-6

►Synopsis: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, is an energetic and cocky thirteen year old. He is an apprentice in Master Peterzano’s studio where he shows an extraordinary talent for painting. Curious and impetuous, Michele makes friends with rebellious and unconventional artists but fairly soon his own artistic gifts manage to arouse dangerous jealousy. The youngster is hindered in every way, especially when his fiercest enemy accuses Lucia of witchcraft. Lucia is a young actress of whom Michele is very fond.Events get out of control and the young girl is put into prison; Michele, helped by his artist friends will have to use all his ingenuity to devise a brilliant plan to save Lucia.

►The author: Luisa Mattia was born in Rome, where she graduated with a degree in Pedagogy. She collaborates with magazines in the educational sector and coordinates educational projects writing for schools. She was part of the group of authors of "Melevisione", the popular children's programme on Rai 3, and since 2003 has also written the script for the show "The Journal of Fantabosco." Already a playwright and novelist, with lots of fruitful collaborations along with fellow writers, she wrote the crime series for kids, "The Mysteries of Teo". Much of her work has received prestigious awards, including the Pippi Prize in 2006 for “La scelta". In 2008, due to the happy outcome of her life's narrative and civic passion that animates her works, she was awarded the best writer Andersen award.

4) BOOKS FOR CHILDREN AGED 15 AND ABOVE:

4.1 Io e te / Niccolo Ammaniti. The original edition has been published by Einaudi in Torino [2010]. [ISBN] 978-88-062-0680-2- The special edition for students, selected for this exhibition, has been published by Easy Readers in Copenhagen [2012].

►Synopsis: Hiding out in his parents’ cellar, Lorenzo is about to discover what dark secrets lurk beneath the surface of his respectable Italian family.Me and You is a compulsive and deeply affecting account of how outsiders blows open one family’s secrets. Ammaniti’s latest masterpiece is a breathtaking tale of shame, acceptance and wanting to be loved.

►The author: Niccolό Ammaniti was born in Rome in 1966. He has written many novels and a collection of short stories. His first novel, Steal You Away, was long listed for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. He won the prestigious Italian Viareggio Prize-Repaci Prize for fiction with his bestselling novel I’m not scared, which has been translated into thirty-five languages and was made into a movie directed by Gabriele Salvatores. The Crossroads, received the Strega Prize in 2007. Me and You has been recently made into a movie by famous Italian film director Bernardo Bertolucci.

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