The illustrators
If you have never read The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, the important thing to know is that it is quite different, and to me, much, much better than the Disney version we all know. It does contain some elements of the dark fairytale, but that can be changed by choosing a more cheerfully illustrated version. The other thing to know is that due to the original text being in a foreign language (Italian in this case), translations have the freedom to modernize the text, and you will be blown away at how easy it is to read! So please don’t get scared away from reading it to your kiddos – I read it to my 6 year old and he loved it! And SO MANY good life lessons!
Illustrated versions are reader’s choice – there are a great many – but I have done my best to represent them as best as I could. Enjoy!
MINALIMA
This version by MINALIMA is just wonderful, with interactive elements throughout. It is (here comes my favorite phrase in my study of illustration) lavishly illustrated, with gorgeous full color artwork. It is my favorite of the modern versions!
Translated by E. Harden
Published in 2020 by Harper Design
Where to Buy:
Fulvio Testa
I just love this illustrators’ style in this version! Fulvio Testa used watercolor, pen and ink to create colorful and witty lines that are both bold and at the same time dainty.
Translated by Geoffrey Brock, with an introduction by Umberto Eco
Published 2012 by The New York Review of Books
Where to Buy:
Robert Ingpen
I adore Ingpen’s soft, lifelike style and the way he imagines situations and characters.
Note: There are two (slightly) different versions. The first was published in 2005 and has the the cover with the red border, and the other, published in 2014, has the cover with Pinocchio running. Both have wonderful illustrations but they are slightly different. I think I prefer the older version, but only nominally…both are wonderful.
If you are interested in exploring more books by Robert Ingpen, click here!
Translation by Carol Della Chiesa
Published in 2005 by Purple Bear Books New York
Published in 2020 by Welbeck Editions
Where to Buy:
∞ Pinocchio Illustrated by Robert Ingpen (2005) from Abebooks
Greg Hildebrandt
Greg Hildebrandt is a master of fantasy illustration and his version of Pinocchio is a great example! I love how the space that he creates between characters does such a great job at capturing their feeling and energy – you kind of fall into them!
Original 1892 English Language Edition
Please be aware that there is an abridged version. Please check the number of pages when purchasing, because the cover can be either. The unabridged has around 150 pages.
Published in 1986 by The Unicorn Publishing House
Where to Buy:
Roberto Innocenti
Roberto Innocenti’s haunting illustrations mold the aspects of the folk and fairy tale together beautifully.
Translated by E. Harden
Published 2005 by Creative Editions.
Please Note: There is a 1988 edition published by Alfred A. Knopf that does not contain the shark (or should I say Megalodon!) illustration featured in this slide show.
Where to Buy:
∞ Pinocchio Illustrated by Robert Innocenti (1988) from Abebooks
∞ Pinocchio Illustrated by Robert Innocenti (2005) from AMAZON
Cooper Edens Compilation of Vintage Pinocchio Illustrators
I just about fell out of my chair when I saw this version. Imagine; a version of Pinocchio where you can enjoy the works of various vintage illustrators in one reading! Brilliant! Check out the slideshow below to see more vintage Pinocchio illustrators.
Original 1892 English Language Edition
Published 2002 by Blue Lantern Studio
Where to Buy:
∞ Pinocchio Illustrated by Various Pinocchio Illustrators compiled by Cooper Edens from AMAZON
Iassen Ghiuselev
A little Renaissance, a little Escher, Bulgarian Artist Iassen Ghiuselev’s illustrations are both soft and haunting. My personal opinion is that it may not be the best choice for younger kids as it leans slightly dark, but the artwork is gorgeous.
Translation by Carol della Chiesa
Published in 2002 by Simply Read Books
Where to Buy:
Sarah Fanelli
This illustrator used collage to put together this wonderful version!
Translation by Emma Rose
Published 2003 by Walker Books
Where to Buy:
Other Pinocchio Illustrators
Since it’s first publication in 1883, Carlo Collodi’s Adventures of Pinocchio has attracted many illustrators of varying and substantial talent. However, not all of them are easily available these days.
(Note: many of the vintage artists featured below have illustrations that appear in Cooper Edens’ compiled version listed above).
The below slides exhibit versions published between 1892 (when the first American edition was published) to the present, including a look at The Folio Society’s sold out version. Look for these on Etsy, Ebay, Alibris Books, Abebooks, or find them on internet archives or from your local library!
Abridged, graphic novel, and Non-English language
Although I am a huge supporter of unabridged versions, with so many gorgeous adapted and graphic novel versions out there I feel I must mention at least one of each!
Additionally, there are some FANTASTIC versions of Pinocchio out there in other languages to explore! I must end this post some time so I will keep it down to my ultimate number one favorite non-English version, but do note there are many out there! Here you go:
This version, illustrated beautifully by Belgian artist Quentin Greban, really caught my eye and stays very close to the original text. If you enjoy the puppet swallowing megalodon image as I (and my shark crazy son) do, you will be pleased.
Translated by Claude Sartirano and Juanita Havill.
Published in 2018 by North-South Books Inc., New York
Illustrated by Pascal Lemaitre, this is the first installment in the “Cartoon Classics” series, and it features Collodi’s Pinocchio in chapter-book format for young readers. I’m not exactly sure I would call it a cartoon; to my eyes, this book is more short chapter book than graphic novel; but it has illustrations throughout and often does have the illustrated “boxes” recognizable as cartoons. The story is retold and is mostly true to the original. The two-tone, one color print tempers some of the harsher aspects of the Pinoccho tale.
Retold by Kate McMullan
Published in 2014 by Henry Holt and Company
I can’t get over the illustrations in this Spanish version done by illustrator Justine Brax. Also available in French. Just beautiful!
Recently released
Pinocchio
By Carlo Collodi, translated by Stephen Parkin with illustrations by Peter Bailey
Available on Jan 3, 2023, by Alma Classics
A brand-new and lively translation by Stephen Parkin and illustrated beautifully by Peter Bailey, this edition of The Adventures of Pinocchio brings extra sparkle to one of the greatest and most celebrated works of children’s literature.
For the Collector
Beehive Books (2023?) Illustrated by Mike Mignola and Lemony Snicket
This Kickstarter project just received funding. I used this photo from Beehive Books’ Instagram page, so do check it out! I will update as soon as I know its publishing date.
So many versions of this classic. So interesting
I know! This was the first illustrator explore I did and in the midst of it I was worried I had “bitten off more than I could chew”! But I also had so much fun…it is a really wonderful story and easy book to read!