A rediscovered gem from Italian children literature, written by the
author of Pinocchio, translated and expanded by Alessandro Gallenzi
and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (the illustrator of the Gruffalo).
Pipì isn't like his four brothers or the other young monkeys living in
the forest of Hullabaloo: he has bright-pink fur, a mischievous
character and a rebellious streak that lands him into all sorts of
scrapes. In this story, an expanded version of Collodi's original tale,
we see him lose his tail to an ancient crocodile, end up as a valet to a
young master, fall into the hands of flying bandits and become emperor
of a tribe of apes.
Collodi wrote this story immediately after Pinocchio, and the little
monkey's adventures present clear similarities, both in terms of themes
and characters, with his more celebrated masterpiece. This rediscovered
gem of Italian literature, beautifully illustrated by Axel Scheffler and
preserving all of Collodi's trademark wit and linguistic crispness, will
delight and enthrall a new generation of children.