Pinocchio
Grade 4 Up-As she did in Mythical Monsters of Ancient Greece (Candlewick, 2002), Fanelli again creates a fresh and imaginative visual interpretation of a classic. The original story of the wayward boy/puppet is presented in full, made more accessible to contemporary readers by this translation's taut narration and witty dialogue. The mixed-media collages are made up of original drawings and cuttings from photos, wallpaper, and other artwork. As in the illustrator's earlier works, print is often featured in the pictures. Other recurring images include photographs of human eyes placed on drawings of human and nonhuman faces and prominent noses. This unconventional style is an apt partner for this complex tale-a story that is both playful and macabre. However, this version is not for very young children or first-time readers, as the pictures are not obvious representations of the text. This sophisticated, edgy adaptation will be most appreciated by connoisseurs of children's literature and illustration. Definitely a special purchase, this book is far superior to Helen Rossendale and Graham Philpot's uninspired The Adventures of Pinocchio (Dial, 2003).Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WICopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.