Gianni Rodari facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gianni Rodari
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Rodari in the 1950s
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| Born |
Giovanni Francesco Rodari
23 October 1920 |
| Died | 14 April 1980 (aged 59) Rome, Italy
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| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist |
| Years active | 1946–1980 |
| Known for | his children's books |
| Political party | Italian Communist Party |
| Awards | Hans Christian Andersen Medal (1970) |
Giovanni Francesco "Gianni" Rodari (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒanni roˈdaːri]; 23 October 1920 – 14 April 1980) was a famous Italian writer and journalist. He is most well-known for his wonderful children's literature, especially his book Il romanzo di Cipollino. For his great work as a children's author, he received the important Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1970. Many people consider him Italy's most important children's author of the 20th century. His books have been translated into many languages, though not many have been published in English.
Contents
Gianni Rodari's Life Story
Rodari was born in Omegna, a small town in northern Italy near Lake Orta. His father, who was a baker, passed away when Gianni was only eight years old. Gianni and his two brothers, Cesare and Mario, were raised by their mother in her home village.
After studying for three years at a seminary, Rodari earned his teacher's diploma at age seventeen. He then started teaching elementary school classes in rural areas. He loved music and played the violin for three years. He also enjoyed reading and discovered many important writers. In 1939, he briefly attended the Catholic University of Milan.
Life During Wartime
During World War II, Rodari was excused from the army because he was not in good health. Because he needed money, he took a job at a local office and had to join the National Fascist Party. However, he was deeply affected by the war. His two best friends died, and his younger brother Cesare was held in a concentration camp by the Germans.
These difficult experiences led Rodari to join the Italian Communist Party in 1944. He also took part in the Italian resistance movement, which fought against the Fascist government and German occupation.
Becoming a Children's Author
In 1948, Rodari started writing books for children while working as a journalist for a Communist newspaper called L'Unità. In 1950, his party made him the editor of a new weekly magazine for children called Il Pioniere in Rome. The next year, 1951, Rodari published his first two books: Il Libro delle Filastrocche (which means "The Book of Children's Poems") and Il Romanzo di Cipollino ("The Adventures of Cipollino, the Little Onion").
In 1952, he traveled to the Soviet Union for the first time and visited it often after that. In 1953, he married Maria Teresa Feretti. Four years later, they had a daughter named Paola. In 1957, Rodari passed an exam to become a professional journalist.
International Recognition
From 1966 to 1969, Rodari worked closely with children on many projects. In 1970, he received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for children's literature. This award is the highest honor a writer or illustrator of children's books can receive. It made him known around the world as a top modern children's writer in Italian. His books have been translated into many different languages.
In 1979, after another trip to the Soviet Union, Rodari's health began to decline. He had never been very strong. He passed away in Rome in April 1980, after a surgical operation.
Gianni Rodari's Famous Works
Gianni Rodari is perhaps most famous for creating the story of Cipollino. Cipollino, whose name means "Little Onion," is a brave character. He fights against the unfair treatment of his fellow vegetable townspeople by the fruit royalty, like Prince Lemon and the proud Tomato. This story shows the struggle of ordinary people against powerful rulers. It also highlights the importance of friendship when facing difficulties.
The story of Cipollino was so popular that a ballet was created in the Soviet Union in 1973. Even after his death, Rodari's works continue to be published and re-illustrated by other artists.
Here are some of his well-known books:
- Il libro delle filastrocche (“The Book of Children's Poems”, 1950)
- Il romanzo di Cipollino (“The Adventures of Cipollino, the Little Onion”, 1951)
- Gelsomino nel paese dei bugiardi (“Gelsomino in the Country of Liars”, 1958)
- Filastrocche in cielo e in terra (“Nursery Rhymes in the Sky and on Earth”, 1960)
- Favole al telefono (“Telephone Tales”, 1962)
- Gip nel televisore (“Gip in the Television”, 1962)
- La freccia azzurra (“The Blue Arrow”, 1964)
- La torta in cielo (“The Cake in the Sky”, 1966)
- La grammatica della fantasia (“The Grammar of Fantasy”, 1974)
- C'era due volte il barone Lamberto or I misteri dell'isola di San Giulio (Twice Upon a Time there was a Baron called Lamberto or The Mysteries of the Isle of San Giulio, 1978, ISBN: 88-06-01578-8)
- Novelle fatte a macchina (“Stories written on a typewriter”)
- Atalanta
- Piccoli Vagabondi
Tribute
On 23 October 2020, Google celebrated Gianni Rodari's 100th birthday with a special Google Doodle on its homepage.
See also
In Spanish: Gianni Rodari para niños
- 2703 Rodari
Images for kids
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Cover for C'era due volte il Barone Lamberto.
