Painting Mice from Italy

Illustration from Anselmo va a scuola by Simona Mulazzani

It's been a month since my visit to Bologna, and though there are many more artists 

and books I'd like to share, it's time for the blog to move on. But I will try to feature 

a different children's book, illustrator or small publisher every week, in addition to 

my usual postings. To conclude the fair reports, I want to talk a bit about one of 

our precious Italian small publishers. In a period when most news related to my country

 fall into the sad and embarassing cathegories, it's uplifting to witness the growing

 creative vitality of our independent book publishers, away from the noise and nonsense

 of the political arena, and unfortunately mostly ignored by our media and institutions. 

A nice aspect to point out is that despite the general crisis, the sales of many of 

these small companies are actually increasing, a sign that the reading public 

is curious and selective, and rewards quality in its choices.

Topipittori is one of the children's publishers I like the best.

And how could it be otherwise? Their outstanding catalogue  of 53 volumes features
 beautiful stories and some of my favorite contemporary illustrators. In fact, many 

of them have already appeared on Animalarium, like Beatrice Alemagna, Violeta Lopiz,
 Valerio Vidali, Gwénola Carrère, Kitty Crowther, Madalena Matoso, Simone Rea and 
Camilla Engman. The company was founded six years ago in Milan by Paolo Canton 

and Giovanna Zoboli, who is also an author and wrote quite a few of Topipittori's books. 

If you can read Italian, check the recent interview with Canton on Le figure dei libri.

This year, graphics by the Portuguese Planeta Tangerina were featured prominently 

at Topipittori's fair booth, since they have recently published the Italian edition of

  Madalena Matoso's Quando eu nascì. Apart from this and Kitty Crowther's Dentro di me, 

all their other titles are original productions which, in turn, are increasingly finding

 coeditors around the world, from Asia to Latin America. 

One of the new animal-themed titles this year is Vorrei avere... (I wish I had...), 

written by Giovanna Zoboli and beautifully illustrated by Simona Mulazzani. In the words

 of its publisher, Vorrei avere... is "a tribute to the perfection of animals through the 

loving care of a child who passionately desires to possess their extraordinary abilities". 

I haven't bought the book yet, but I do own and love Al supermercato degli animali 

(In the animals' supermarket) by the same creative duo, which introduces children 

to natural foods and the eating habits of animals through its fun concept, 

simple rhymes and colorful artworks.

I personally discovered Topipittori through another book by Zoboli, Due scimmie in cucina,

 a story about a little boy who loves monkeys (like most of us!) and his very busy sister. 

I love the playful text but honestly, as usual, the bright and modern illustrations by 

Guido Scarabottolo were the deciding factor in me buying it. Scarabottolo is a famous

 Milanese graphic designer, illustrator and art director, whose distinctive artworks 

define the house style of book publisher Guanda.

The illustration above is from one of Topipittori's new productions, the gorgeous 

and dreamy Una storia Guaraní by Alicia Badalan, inspired by traditional beliefs of 

the Guaraní indians. Also just published, Adele's journey features four animal tales

 narrated by Perrine Ledan and illustrated by Lotte Brauning.

Lion and mice by Simone Rea

And next fall, I'll be waiting for Aesop's fables illustrated by Simone Rea 

and new titles from Valerio Vidali and Camilla Engman!