PINOCCHIO by Carlo Collodi

Pinocchio, the iconic character created by Italian writer Carlo Collodi, remains a beloved figure in children's literature and beyond. Carved by Geppetto, a woodcarver in a Tuscan village, Pinocchio starts his existence as a wooden puppet with the fervent desire to become a real boy. His adventures are marked by his distinctive trait: a nose that grows longer whenever he tells a lie, a whimsical consequence that has become central to his story's moral lessons. Collodi’s use of the Tuscan dialect adds a unique flavor to the narrative, reflecting the cultural context of his time and place. The name "Pinocchio" itself has origins that suggest it could derive from the Tuscan word for "pine nut" (Pinocchio) or be a playful combination of "pine" (Pino) and "eye" (Occhio). This enduring popularity underscores the timeless appeal of a story that explores themes of identity, transformation, and the pursuit of truth.