The Adventures of Cipollino

by Gianni Rodari, Antony Shugaar (translator), Dasha Tolstikova (illustrator)

In this enchantingly whimsical, darkly comic tale from Gianni Rodari (Italy’s Roald Dahl), an unlikely hero—none other than a young onion!—takes up the fight against the tyrannical Prince Lemon, with wit and heart.

Cipollino is young, brave, clever, and determined—exactly the kind of valiant hero that’s bound to triumph in fairy tales. Except, did we mention that he’s also a little onion? You read that In this fantastic book of high political drama—a classic of Italian children’s literature—all of the characters are fruits, vegetables, and animals.

Here, Cipollino sets out to free his wrongfully imprisoned father. In the process, he faces off against scoundrels of all kinds. What hangs in the balance is nothing more or less than the freedom of an entire kingdom from the senseless rules imposed by the tyrannical Prince Lemon, and the equal dignity of each blueberry, string bean, and spider.

Written in the atmosphere of hope and enthusiasm of post–World War II Italy, Cipollino and his friends don’t rely on weapons and violence in their battle against injustice, but rather on jokes and tricks, ingenuity and courage, heart and solidarity. With much laughter, luck, and pluck, they band together to bring fun, respect, and decency back to the land.

248 pages, Hardcover

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Italian journalist and writer, particularly famous for his children books, which have been translated in many different languages but are not well known in the English speaking world. In 1970 he was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for children's literature.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianni_R...

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is a bit like tracking a hockey puck as it moves at full speed around the rink or a dog chasing after so many squirrels it keeps changing its direction. All that to say, I understand why Gianni Rodari is a renown author of children’s classics in Italy. The story of Cipollino, written for children, takes some sharp turns on its path, but ultimately always connects to the underlying theme of fighting for what’s right. Very fun that it’s now translated into English and I love the illustrations that accompany the story!

[Kaloyan Stanchev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly like real life

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written 7 years after the fall of Musollini, Gianni Rodari’s veggie tale is an episodic black comedy-allegory. An onion family resides in a village alongside Lucious Leek, Squire Zuchinni, Master Raisin, Pastor Parsely, and a procession of other characters. When his family is perfumed by the notorious Prince Lemon, their son Ciopollino begins a campaign of subversion in the name of freedom: “Papa Ciopollone, his sons, and all of their relatives were duly driven out of their shacks, linked up against the walls, and sprayed from head to toe until they were drenched…”

As the prince’s enforcer, Cavalier Tomato, begins home invasions, recruits secret police, and imprisons the villagers, Rodari balances the fierceness with farce. Chapter 14 is entitled “Squire Peapod is hanged, but his soul never arrives in heaven.” Thanks to Strawberryette and Radish, Cipollino befriends Signora Mole to “dig a nice wide tunnel right to the foot of the gallows.” The escape works and, upon dropping, Peapod asks “Signor Cipollino, are you dead too?”

Rodari’s profusion of ideas creates a clever and incisive look at his time and place. There is levity and fun in his reminiscences; the good guys use humor and trickery to win the day. There is also wry commentary on post-war modernity, like the experts brought in when Viscount Maraschino takes ill:

“Dr. Dried-Mushroom, who immediately ordered a decoction of dried mushrooms… “Dr. Medlar [then] pointed out that mushrooms are … indeed quite dangerous… “Dr. Artichoke … medicated Maraschino with freshly pickled raw artichokes, and the poor boy leapt off the bed every time the thorns pricked him, as if he were being skinned alive.”

Getting away with state violence in a comedic children’s book takes skill, so it's no surprise Rodari won the Hans Christen Andersen Medal in 1970.  This view of real situations provides solace. Rodari’s canny resolutions, community diversity, and silly heroics show that his hope in the future lies with his young characters and young audience: stay clever, have fun, help each other out, be yourself, and eat right! Ideas which resonate across time and place, no? Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed in the NYT Book Review: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/bo...