Carlo Collodi:
As a Child
Carlo Collodi was born Carlo Lorenzini in Florence as the son of Domenico Lorenzini and Angela Orzali. Collidi was one of ten children and spent his childhood growing up in rural Italy. After attending primary school in Collodi, he was sent to study for the priesthood at the seminary of Val d'Elsa.
As an adult
At the age of 22, Collodi served in the Tuscan Army during the Wars of Independence (1848 and 1860) and his active interest in politics can be seen in his literary works, and in the satirical newspaper Il Lampione, which was later censored by the Grand Duke of Tuscany.
As an artist
Author of the classic children’s book Pinocchio. In 1875 he entered the domain of children's literature with Racconti delle fate, a translation of French classic fairy tales by Charles Perrault, including Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, and Puss in Boots. Later, Pinocchio was brought out in serial form in the first Italian newspaper for children - Il Giornale dei Bambini.
Sara Fanelli:
As an artist
Sara Fanelli is one of the world's most distinctive and idiosyncratic picture book creators. Born and raised in Florence, she now lives in north London. Her acclaimed title Dear Diary received an Honourable Mention from the 2001 Bologna Ragazzi Award Jury. Sara's interpretation of Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio won the best overall prize in the V&A Illustration Awards and the First Prize in the Book Cover and Jacket Illustration Prize category in 2004. Pinocchio also won the British Book Design and Production Award in the children's category. Sara was also awarded an RDI Honorary Fellowship in 2006, the very first woman illustrator to have ever received the honour.
