Geppetto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Geppetto
The Adventures of Pinocchio character
Geppetto carving Pinocchio.
First appearance	The Adventures of Pinocchio
Created by	Carlo Collodi
Information
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Occupation	Carpenter
Family	Pinocchio (son)
Nationality	Italian

Geppetto (jə-PET-oh), also known as Mister Geppetto, is a character from the 1883 book The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. Geppetto is an older, poor woodcarver. He is the one who creates Pinocchio, making him Pinocchio's 'father'.

Geppetto wears a yellow wig that looks like cornmeal mush. Because of this, his neighbors sometimes call him "Polendina" to tease him. The name Geppetto is a small version of the name Giuseppe in Italian, which means Joseph.

Geppetto's Story

The next morning, Geppetto is released from jail.

Geppetto's story begins when another carpenter, Mister Antonio, finds a talking piece of pinewood. Antonio was going to use it for a table leg. But when Geppetto visits, looking for wood to make a marionette (a puppet moved by strings), Antonio gives him the special block of wood.

Geppetto is very poor and hopes to earn money as a puppeteer. He carves the wood into a boy and names him "Pinocchio." Even before Pinocchio is fully built, he is already a bit naughty. As soon as Geppetto finishes Pinocchio's feet, the puppet starts kicking him!

Once Pinocchio is finished, Geppetto teaches him to walk. But Pinocchio quickly runs out the door and into town. A police officer catches him. People think Geppetto might not be a good parent, so the officer takes Geppetto to jail.

Geppetto is seen healthy again and resuming woodcarving.

The next morning, Geppetto is let out of jail. He finds that Pinocchio's feet have burned off. Geppetto kindly replaces them with new ones. Pinocchio promises to go to school after Geppetto gives him three pears to eat. Geppetto is so poor he sells his only coat to buy school books for Pinocchio.

Later, Pinocchio thinks the Fairy with Turquoise Hair has died. A pigeon carries him to the seashore. There, Geppetto is building a boat to look for Pinocchio. Pinocchio tries to swim to Geppetto, but he gets pulled underwater. Geppetto is then swallowed by a giant fish called the Terrible Dogfish.

Geppetto is not seen again until Pinocchio is also swallowed by the same Dogfish. Inside the fish, Pinocchio and Geppetto find each other! They manage to escape the Dogfish. A tuna fish then helps them get back to shore.

Pinocchio works hard for several months at a farmer's house to help the sick Geppetto. After this, Pinocchio goes to buy himself a new suit. Geppetto and Pinocchio are not together again until Pinocchio finally becomes a real boy. At the end of the story, Geppetto is healthy again and back to his woodcarving.

Different Versions of Geppetto

Geppetto's story has been told in many ways, including movies, TV shows, and plays. Here are some of the actors who have played him:

Disney's Geppetto

Geppetto
Geppetto, as seen in the 1940 Disney film
First appearance	Pinocchio (1940)
Last appearance	Untitled Pinocchio live-action adaptation
Created by	Carlo Collodi Walt Disney
Portrayed by	Tony Amendola (Once Upon a Time) Tom Hanks (live-action film)
Voiced by	Christian Rub (original film) Daws Butler (1954 record album) Cliff Edwards (Hudson Hornet commercial) Tony Pope (Pinocchio Read-Along Storybook, Kingdom Hearts, Disney's House of Mouse) Jeff Bennett (Kingdom Hearts 3D, Blu-Ray bonus features)
Nationality	Italian

In the 1940 Disney animated movie, Geppetto is a kind shopkeeper. He is finishing making Pinocchio, his wooden puppet. Before going to sleep, Geppetto wishes on a falling star that Pinocchio could become a real boy. That night, the Blue Fairy makes Geppetto's wish come true.

The next day, Geppetto sends Pinocchio to school. But on his way, Pinocchio meets some tricky characters, Honest John and Gideon. They convince him to join Stromboli's puppet show instead. When Pinocchio finally comes home, Geppetto's shop is empty. Pinocchio learns from a letter that Geppetto went out to sea to find him. Geppetto was trying to rescue Pinocchio from Pleasure Island but was swallowed by Monstro, a giant whale.

Pinocchio decides to rescue his father. He finds Geppetto and his pets inside Monstro's stomach. Pinocchio burns some furniture to make smoke, which makes Monstro cough them out. Monstro chases them to the shore. Pinocchio pulls Geppetto to safety, but Pinocchio himself falls unconscious. Geppetto is very sad, but the Blue Fairy brings Pinocchio back to life and turns him into a real human boy.

Disney's Geppetto has also appeared in other shows and games. These include Disney's House of Mouse and the Kingdom Hearts video game series. He also had a small appearance in an episode of the Mickey Mouse TV show.

The actor Tom Hanks is planned to play Geppetto in a new live-action movie based on the Disney film.

The TV Musical Version

Geppetto is the main character in a TV musical from 2000. He is played by Drew Carey. In this story, Geppetto really wants to be a father. One night, the Blue Fairy visits his workshop and brings Pinocchio to life.

At first, Geppetto is very happy. But Pinocchio asks many questions, wanders off, and gets into trouble. He also tells lies and isn't interested in being a toymaker like Geppetto. Geppetto sends Pinocchio to school, hoping he will act like other children. But Pinocchio gets sent home after a fight, which disappoints Geppetto.

On their way home, they meet Stromboli, a puppeteer. Stromboli is very interested in Pinocchio and thinks he could make a lot of money with him. Pinocchio signs a contract and runs away to join Stromboli's show. When Geppetto arrives, Stromboli says Pinocchio left to see the world. Geppetto then finds out Pinocchio went to Pleasure Island. Both Geppetto and Stromboli set out to find him.

Geppetto meets a magician and visits a town where perfect children are made. He then arrives at Pleasure Island and discovers its terrible secret: boys turn into donkeys there! He tries to rescue Pinocchio, but Pinocchio refuses, saying he was a disappointment. Pinocchio gets on a ride and turns into a donkey, then is shipped off to salt mines.

Geppetto follows the ship in a small fishing boat. He is then swallowed by a monstrous whale. Inside the whale, Pinocchio tells Geppetto that when he jumped into the water to save him, the donkey curse washed away, and he became human again. They make up and Pinocchio tells many lies, making his nose grow. This tickles the whale, causing it to throw them up.

They return home, but Stromboli is waiting to take Pinocchio back because of the contract. Geppetto offers his whole shop, but Stromboli kidnaps Pinocchio. Geppetto begs the Blue Fairy for one last wish. The fairy then turns Pinocchio into a real boy. She uses her magic to send Stromboli away. The sign on Geppetto's shop changes to "Geppetto & Son," and they live happily ever after.

See also

In Spanish: Geppetto para niños