Carlo Collodi - Florence November 24, 1826; Florence October 26, 1890. He is considered one of the most important Italian authors of children’s literature, and his work The Adventures of Pinocchio is one of the most famous children’s books in the world. He lived during a crucial historical period for the formation of the Italian state. In his youth, he took part in the events of the Italian Risorgimento, serving as a volunteer in the wars of independence. This experience had a deep influence on his thinking and his sense of civic engagement. Collodi began his career as a journalist and writer, collaborating with various newspapers and focusing mainly on satirical and political writing. From the 1870s onward, he gradually turned to children’s literature. He started writing educational texts and stories for young readers, such as Giannettino and Minuzzolo, in which his pedagogical aim is already evident: to teach while entertaining, through simple stories rich in moral meaning. His masterpiece is undoubtedly The Adventures of Pinocchio, first published in installments in a children’s newspaper between 1881 and 1883, and later collected in book form. The novel tells the story of a wooden puppet, Pinocchio, created by the carpenter Geppetto, who dreams of becoming a real boy. Through a series of often dangerous adventures and encounters with symbolic characters, Pinocchio undergoes a journey of growth that leads him to understand the values of honesty, hard work, and responsibility. The work combines fantastical and realistic elements, alternating comic moments with more dramatic episodes. The style is simple and accessible, yet rich in irony and deeper meanings. Collodi manages to speak to both children and adults, offering different levels of interpretation: on one hand an adventurous fairy tale, on the other a reflection on education and character development. One of the most original aspects of Pinocchio is its educational message, which is never imposed rigidly but emerges naturally through the protagonist’s experiences. Pinocchio’s mistakes, his disobedience, and the consequences of his actions represent key stages in a process of maturation that culminates in his final transformation into a real boy. Carlo Collodi died in Florence on October 26, 1890, but his literary legacy has endured over time. Pinocchio remains one of the most widely known Italian works in the world, translated into many languages and adapted into various artistic forms, from theatre to cinema.