Gianni Rodari

The Profile

Italian author of children's literature (1920–1980), known for inventive fairy tales, rhymes and the celebrated Telephone Tales (Favole al telefono).

Born in Omegna (1920) and died in 1980. Awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1970.

The review discusses C'era due volte il barone Lamberto as a playful revisit of the fairy-tale genre, centred on improbable events (a river that flows uphill, a rejuvenating baron). It highlights Rodari's taste for the absurd and how small premises have wide consequences.