The Grammar of Fantasy - by Gianni Rodari (Hardcover)

About the Book

A collection of essays from the visionary storyteller Gianni Rodari about fairy tales and folk tales and their great advantages in teaching creative storytelling.

Book Synopsis

From the father of modern Italian children's literature, a guide to fairy tales and their potential for teaching creative storytelling to children--with radiant illustrations from Matthew Forsythe and a refreshed translation from Jack Zipes.

"The ultimate synthesis of Rodari's exuberant knowledge, a book of both pedagogy and poetics, poetry for teachers and pedagogy for poets." --Italo Calvino

A groundbreaking pedagogical work that is also a handbook for writers of all ages and kinds, The Grammar of Fantasy offers a playful, practical path to finding your own voice through the power of storytelling. Full of ideas, glosses on fairy tales, stories, and wide-ranging activities, this book changed how creative arts were taught in Italian schools.

Gianni Rodari is not only revered as a children's author, but also remembered for his visionary pedagogy, and it is these two fields he combines in this revolutionary essay collection. Translated into English by acclaimed scholar of folklore and children's literature Jack Zipes, and with original art from illustrator Matthew Forsythe, this edition of The Grammar of Fantasy is one to live with and return to for its humor, intelligence, and remarkable understanding of children.

Review Quotes

"Holds great value for anyone who believes children's stories are important, which should be everyone... Funny, freewheeling, and animated."

--Mac Barnett "The New York Times"

"It's great for teachers and the classroom, but also for any artist or person who is looking to be more creative. Honestly, it would even be great in the self-help category, on how to unleash your own voice."--Betsy Bird "A Fuse #8 Production (A School Library Journal blog)"

"The ultimate synthesis of Rodari's exuberant knowledge, a book of both pedagogy and poetics, poetry for teachers and pedagogy for poets." --Italo Calvino

About the Author

Gianni Rodari is widely considered the father of modern Italian children's literature. In 1960, he collaborated with the Education Cooperation Movement to develop exercises to encourage children's creative and critical thinking abilities. The recipient of the prestigious Andersen Prize in recognition of his contribution to children's literature, he was also one of Italy's most important educators and an activist who understood the liberating power of the imagination. Jack Zipes is a renowned children's historian and folklorist who has written, translated, and edited dozens of books on fairy tales (Breaking the Magic Spell, The Irresistible Fairy Tale, The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm). He is professor emeritus of German and comparative literature at the University of Minnesota. Matthew Forsythe is the award-winning author-illustrator of picture books Pokko and the Drum, Mina, and the illustrator of The Golden Leaf. He was also lead designer on Cartoon Network's Adventure Time and production designer of the Oscar-nominated short film Robin Robin.