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Kiribati
•A journey to the end of the world, documenting a vanishing culture threatened by climate change
•Presented through maps, infographics, and a glossary, all masterfully illustrated
Kiribati is an island nation in the vast blue of the Pacific Ocean. Composed of thirty-two atolls and three groups of islands, Kiribati lies halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The largest and best-known of the many coral islands is Kiritimati, where James Cook landed on December 24, 1777, which is why he called it 'Christmas Island'.
In recent years the island world of Kiribati has achieved fame for the wrong reason: climate scientists have calculated that many of these atolls and the outer zones of the coral islands will sink into the ocean when sea levels rise as expected. When Alice Piciocchi and Andrea Angeli heard this, their desire to visit grew. Yet, instead of meeting desperate inhabitants sitting on their packed suitcases, they found people who had no intention of leaving.
This book is a special kind of travel journal and a masterpiece of bibliophilism. The authors have succeeded in bringing us closer to the everyday culture and ideas of Kiribati's people, testifying to their deep connection to the ocean and the universe itself.
•Presented through maps, infographics, and a glossary, all masterfully illustrated
Kiribati is an island nation in the vast blue of the Pacific Ocean. Composed of thirty-two atolls and three groups of islands, Kiribati lies halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The largest and best-known of the many coral islands is Kiritimati, where James Cook landed on December 24, 1777, which is why he called it 'Christmas Island'.
In recent years the island world of Kiribati has achieved fame for the wrong reason: climate scientists have calculated that many of these atolls and the outer zones of the coral islands will sink into the ocean when sea levels rise as expected. When Alice Piciocchi and Andrea Angeli heard this, their desire to visit grew. Yet, instead of meeting desperate inhabitants sitting on their packed suitcases, they found people who had no intention of leaving.
This book is a special kind of travel journal and a masterpiece of bibliophilism. The authors have succeeded in bringing us closer to the everyday culture and ideas of Kiribati's people, testifying to their deep connection to the ocean and the universe itself.
- GenresGraphic Novels
128 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
2 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 26, 2022
This was my read the world selection for Kiribati
The authors of this book are Italian nationals, who on hearing that Kiribati will eventually be completely claimed by the sea due to climate change, determined to visit with a view to make a record of Kiribati that includes its social and cultural structure along with drawings and illustrations depicting its location, topography, building structures, flora and even family structures - which are not quite as simple as you’d think!
The result is an informative and quite lovely book, where each topic covered is relayed by way of a short story depicting the way that the authors came across the information. For example on touring an atoll with a volunteer they come across a clam shell, which are treasured by the locals as they have so many uses: as food containers for the pigs, as anchors and even as holy water fonts!
I believe this book has been translated from the Italian and there are a few odd choices of words here and there, but that aside, this book is a great way of learning about Kiribati. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
The authors of this book are Italian nationals, who on hearing that Kiribati will eventually be completely claimed by the sea due to climate change, determined to visit with a view to make a record of Kiribati that includes its social and cultural structure along with drawings and illustrations depicting its location, topography, building structures, flora and even family structures - which are not quite as simple as you’d think!
The result is an informative and quite lovely book, where each topic covered is relayed by way of a short story depicting the way that the authors came across the information. For example on touring an atoll with a volunteer they come across a clam shell, which are treasured by the locals as they have so many uses: as food containers for the pigs, as anchors and even as holy water fonts!
I believe this book has been translated from the Italian and there are a few odd choices of words here and there, but that aside, this book is a great way of learning about Kiribati. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
December 2, 2023
- This book takes place in Kiribati and represents Oceania on my list “Seven Continents of Books 2022” -
This is a very special and unique book. It is beautifully crafted, a work of art and an obvious labor of love. I appreciate the authors’ gentle and open-minded approach to the local people they meet in the different parts of the country. They seem to really have a way with approaching people with kindness and building a sense of trust, because so many great stories have come out of their encounters.
One of the few books available about Kiribati, and the information is fascinating.
The only thing I would change is I wish it were longer : )
This is a very special and unique book. It is beautifully crafted, a work of art and an obvious labor of love. I appreciate the authors’ gentle and open-minded approach to the local people they meet in the different parts of the country. They seem to really have a way with approaching people with kindness and building a sense of trust, because so many great stories have come out of their encounters.
One of the few books available about Kiribati, and the information is fascinating.
The only thing I would change is I wish it were longer : )
November 25, 2022
Kein Buch über die Auswirkungen des Klimawandel (bzw. nur ein bisschen), aber dafür ein tolles Buch über den Staat Kiribati, über die Sitten und Traditionen, die wohl bald nicht mehr vorhanden sein werden.
August 18, 2023
This is a fantastic book about the island country of Kiribati! It has wonderful illustrations with info that is easy to understand! Recommended for all teens and adults.
October 19, 2025
Onestamente, trovate un libro di un autore nativo di Kiribati – adorabile stato insulare oceanico, composto da tre meravigliosi arcipelaghi principali e da un totale di una trentina di atolli – andava oltre le mie capacità. E ci ho provato, credimi.
Non è stato un ripiego privo di fascino e di soddisfazione: l’omonimo libro di Alice Piciocchi e Andrea Angeli è un volume splendido, accompagnato da illustrazioni evocative e bellissime, uno di quegli oggetti editoriali che ti fa proprio piacere avere in casa.
Atolli e isole sparsi come puntini sulla mappa. E come nell’unico gioco della Settimana Enigmistica che mi veniva sempre (e grazie-al-ka…), unendo i puntini durante la lettura il disegno si definisce e si fa più chiaro. È il disegno di paesaggi infinitamente diversi da quelli a cui sono abituato, di usi e di tradizioni distanti, di isole con una popolazione complessiva inferiore a quella di un nostro condominio, di un mare generoso e pescoso, di uno sguardo verso il futuro che – nonostante tutto – mostra fiducia, di guaritori che non hanno mai visto altre terre e di una suora che ha visto l’Europa e il Vaticano.
Kiribati, nella sua veste editoriale curata e nel racconto che diventa reportage degli autori, mi è apparso un inno alla diversità: un sistema essenzialmente egualitario in cui le differenze sociali sono certamente meno pronunciate, ma anche un luogo di ricordi ancestrali, di tradizioni che impressionano il nostro sguardo occidentale, di contrasto fra passato e futuro, di ricerca di equilibrio fra vita e morte, fra uomo e natura, fra conservazione e apertura.
Non è stato un ripiego privo di fascino e di soddisfazione: l’omonimo libro di Alice Piciocchi e Andrea Angeli è un volume splendido, accompagnato da illustrazioni evocative e bellissime, uno di quegli oggetti editoriali che ti fa proprio piacere avere in casa.
Atolli e isole sparsi come puntini sulla mappa. E come nell’unico gioco della Settimana Enigmistica che mi veniva sempre (e grazie-al-ka…), unendo i puntini durante la lettura il disegno si definisce e si fa più chiaro. È il disegno di paesaggi infinitamente diversi da quelli a cui sono abituato, di usi e di tradizioni distanti, di isole con una popolazione complessiva inferiore a quella di un nostro condominio, di un mare generoso e pescoso, di uno sguardo verso il futuro che – nonostante tutto – mostra fiducia, di guaritori che non hanno mai visto altre terre e di una suora che ha visto l’Europa e il Vaticano.
Kiribati, nella sua veste editoriale curata e nel racconto che diventa reportage degli autori, mi è apparso un inno alla diversità: un sistema essenzialmente egualitario in cui le differenze sociali sono certamente meno pronunciate, ma anche un luogo di ricordi ancestrali, di tradizioni che impressionano il nostro sguardo occidentale, di contrasto fra passato e futuro, di ricerca di equilibrio fra vita e morte, fra uomo e natura, fra conservazione e apertura.
July 22, 2025
Four stars for the art. The author was annoying and I’m sure she heard my eye roll all the way from Italy.
Also I have a problem with a couple of problematic bits. I learnt quite a bit but I wish I could see the pictures
Also I have a problem with a couple of problematic bits. I learnt quite a bit but I wish I could see the pictures
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March 9, 2024C'était cool, j'ai appris plein de trucs et le livre est un bel objet en plus, avec de belles illustrations !
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews