Pinocchio: A Cut-Paper Book

PreS-Gr 4—Baruzzi boils down Collodi's 19th-century classic to a string of major plot events, each described in a succinct dialogue-sprinkled narrative and accompanied by a cut-paper illustration. For example, the puppet's numerous misguided dealings with the roguish cat and fox are summed up on one page upon which the duplicitous duo instruct Pinocchio to bury three gold coins beneath a tree, guaranteeing that, "Tomorrow you'll find 100 gold coins." Contrasting an evergreen-colored cutout silhouette against a lime-green background, the scherenschnitte-style artwork shows the ever-wishful puppet dropping large coins into a hole while the animals bear witness, their deftly rendered faces reflecting smug satisfaction. Throughout, the illustrations masterfully incorporate graceful borders, lacy patterns, symmetry, and delicate details to eye-pleasing effect. However, the retelling is too streamlined and episodic to convey the full flavor of the tale, making this volume more appropriate for gift-giving. Library collections would be better served by more complete versions, such as Fulvio Testa's beautifully illustrated edition (NYRB, 2012).—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal