The Adventures of Pinocchio (1904)/Preface
Under the assumed name of C. Collodi, Carlo Lorenzini is well known to the reading world of Italy. His most successful book, Pinocchio, was written for children, and has already become a classic. Of all the fairy stories of Italian literature this is the best known and the best loved. The name of the marionette hero is familiar in every household of northern and central Italy. In its whimsical extravagance, its quaint humor, and its narrative style the story appeals strongly to both old and young.
American children, who have long delighted in French and German fairy tales, and among whom Hans Christian Andersen is universally beloved, should not remain in ignorance of this Italian classic. The Florentines call it a literary jewel, and as such it should be known to all young readers. In order to preserve the unique flavor of the story as much as possible the translator has followed the original rather closely. Pinocchio’s waywardness and love of mischief are fully set forth, and the moral, though sufficiently obvious, is not allowed to detract from the enjoyment of his adventures.
The story is one that readily lends itself to the fertile fancy and skillful pencil of an able illustrator. In the present volume, as in the original, the pictures play an important part which is not likely to be overlooked by the readers for whom the book is designed.