To mark the centenary of Gianni Rodari’s birth, Electa is devoting the second title of its new series Enciclopedia to one of the best loved Italian writers of the twentieth century. A sequence of related and independent items which, together with a biography illustrated with photographs, book covers and drawings, convey a profile and history of the most famous inventor of timeless fairy tales and nursery rhymes. It is not easy to understand the figure of this great intellectual of the last century in depth: Rodari A-Z pays tribute to his genius, infinite generosity, and great humanity in his life and writings.

Comprising 84 entries written by 56 authors, the volume aims to show, as the editors Pino Boero and Vanessa Roghi point out, “how much the world (of culture, education, politics) has been enriched by its contracts with the wonderful Gianni Rodari.” Rodari as galaxy, constellation, ocean and world: the architects of the exploration are school and university teachers, educationalists, journalists, intellectuals and academics. Each has moved along a network of coordinates that intertwine and pass through his fantastic characters to his colleagues and teachers, from the world of publishing and childhood to his political militancy, from the places of life and work to his passions for books and magazines.

“We feel that there are always new reasons for interest in Gianni Rodari and insights to offer about him, and that the Rodari ocean can only be crossed together, with a collective, polyphonic work. We are sure that Rodari would have liked it.” (Pino Boero and Vanessa Roghi)