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Gianni Rodari is considered one of the most important 20th-century children’s writers in the whole of Italy.
Telephone Tales is a collection of short stories, most of which are only one or two pages long.
Even though the book was written for a young audience, these short stories frequently discuss important issues such as social equality, state violence and the futility of war.
What it’s about
As the representative of a big company, Sir Bianchi has to travel all over Italy six days a week.
Every Sunday, he returns home and every Monday morning he leaves again. But before his departure, his daughter always tells him, ‘Please, Dad, remember! One story each night!’
And so, each night Sir Bianchi picks up the phone and calls his daughter to tell her a story. From the street that led nowhere to the mouse who ate cats and the man who stole the Colosseum, Sir Bianchi’s imagination is endless!
What I liked best about Telephone Tales
- Most of the short stories narrate absurd events. For instance, in ‘The Famous Rain of Piombino’ Rodari tells us the story of a city in which, all of a sudden, sweets start falling from the sky. Rodari constantly creates absurd plots that make you question your own reality.
- Rodari constantly criticises our own society. His stories discuss topics ranging from state violence to equal justice. In ‘The Unlucky Hunter’, Rodari narrates the story of a hunter looking for a hare for his sister’s wedding. However, every time the protagonist pulls the trigger the gun refuses to shoot. In the end, the hunter sees a hare passing by wearing a wedding dress. He realises that just like his sister she’s getting married, and therefore cannot be shot.
- It shows the negative side of adults. In Rodari’s world, adults are in no way superior to children. Rodari gives a realistic representation of adults and portrays them with all their negative aspects. In Telephone Tales he writes stories of women fighting over completely futile things such as who’s sneezing more frequently, and of ungrateful men who only care about their earnings.
Who would like Telephone Tales?
Telephone Tales is perfect for every parent who’s looking for a book of short stories to read to their children before going to sleep.
If you liked the subtle satire and complete absurdity of Gulliver’s Travels, you will surely enjoy Telephone Tales. Anyone interested in passing on to their children values such as the importance of equality and social justice, and the futility of war, will certainly find Telephone Tales valuable.
In summary
Rodari’s absurd settings and plots will constantly make you question the world in which you live, despite using the simplest narrative.
Telephone Tales is the perfect book to start approaching ethical themes with young readers, whilst always keeping them entertained.