Popular Children’s Books: The Adventures Of Pinocchio

‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ was originally written in Italian and was later translated in English – only to emerge as one of the most popular and celebrated works in children’s literature all over the world.

The Adventures Of Pinocchio (1883)

Author: Carlo Collodi aka Carlo Lorenzeni

Most young boys fib occasionally, but Pinocchio is different – he has a curse! While the rest of the world gets away with hot ears or sweaty brows, Pinocchio’s nose grows a few inches longer every time he lies. But wait, that’s only a small part of the story…

The Plot

‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ narrates the transition of a pine log to a wooden doll, and finally to a live young boy. Geppetto, a poor carpenter, yearns to have a child of his own, carves a puppet out of a pine log given to him by a friend and names him Pinocchio. Geppetto teaches him to walk… but being the naughty boy that he is, Pinocchio runs away into the town and lands his maker into trouble.

The carpenter had sold off the only coat he has so that Pinocchio could go to school, but the boy trades off the money for tickets to a theatre show. Jiminy, the talking cricket, warns Pinocchio about the consequences of his silly and careless ways, but Pinocchio does not care to listen. As he result, he is duped by a sly fox and a cat and is cursed by the Blue Fairy for fibbing all the time.

Pinocchio still refuses to mend his ways, lands in more trouble with a farmer and is imprisoned in the City of Catchfools for his foolishness. Who will rescue Pinocchio? Will he reform and agree to become a good, truthful boy? Will he learn to tell right from wrong?

Pinocchio highlights the behavioral tendencies of rebellious and disobedient children

Why Your Child Will Love It

Simply because he or she will have no reason not to! The book is sumptuously loaded with fun and humor, and it is difficult for a kid to not read it over and over again. ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ especially appeals to younger children, thanks to its fantastical elements and fairy tale-like qualities.

It is magical to conceive of a wooden puppet growing into a real boy with a heart and a mind of his own. The book makes for a great bedtime read for preschoolers, and is equally appealing to children aged 6-10.

Why You Will Love It

If you happen to have naughty kids at home, you can hope that Pinocchio’s long nose and the series of punishments he endures will let them see the light. The incidents and sequences are laugh-out-loud funny if you still have a childish sense of humor tucked away somewhere.

On a serious note, ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ highlights the behavioral tendencies of rebellious and disobedient children – and how they can be brought around with careful nurturing. Walt Disney’s Pinocchio was a beautiful animated version of the story released in 1940. Grab a copy if you can.

Shuchi Kalra is a freelance writer based in India. Her works have been published several online and print publications- both in India and abroad. She also writes content for websites, businesses and portals. She is currently working on a short-story anthology.