Synopsis
Tor Classics are affordably-priced editions designed to attract the young reader. Original dynamic cover art enthusiastically represents the excitement of each story. Appropriate "reader friendly" type sizes have been chosen for each title—offering clear, accurate, and readable text. All editions are complete and unabridged, and feature Introductions and Afterwords.
This edition of Pinocchio includes a Foreword, Biographical Note, and Afterword by Elizabeth Engstrom.
Once there was a lonely woodcutter named Geppetto-who dreamed of having a boy of his own. So one day he carved a boy out of wood and named him Pinocchio.
When the puppet comes to life, it's Geppetto's dream come true.
Except Pinocchio turns out to be not such a nice boy after all. Pinocchio enjoys nothing better than creating mischief and playing mean tricks. As he discovers, being bad is much more fun than being good.
For a while, anyway.
Happily for Pinocchio, he will learn that there is much more to being a real boy than having fun.
A magical tale that has entertained children of all ages for more than a hundred years, this lavishly and gorgeously illustrated new edition is the perfect introduction of a timeless classic to a new generation of readers.
And that's no lie!
Publishers Weekly
Midway on the spectrum between the harshness of Carlo Collodi's (1826-1890) original and the sweet, sanitized Disney version lies this thoughtful adaptation. Young (Seven Blind Mice) views the story theatrically, in an author's note emphasizing the influence of the commedia dell'arte, and dividing the story itself into "scenes." But other than this structural tinkering, Young stays true to the plot, deviating from the original only to smooth out the rough edges for a modern audience. For example, he includes Pinocchio's near-fatal hanging, yet omits morbid details. The stylized cut-paper, fabric and chalk illustrations, however, are problematic. While inventive and skilled, they have little emotional appeal and may even be unsettling with their dissonant, clashing colors. Earlier versions by Roberto Innocenti and Chris McEwan are more visually pleasing, but Young's storytelling is the most in tune with a young audience. Ages 6-up. (Sept.)