Review: “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi, Illustrated by MinaLima

MinaLima’s illustrated edition of Carlo Collodi’s classic The Adventures of Pinocchio provides a visual reimagining of the timeless tale.

MinaLima has illustrated several excellent pieces of children’s literature, including Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass, originally illustrated by John Tenniel, and J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan, initially illustrated by Francis Donkin Bedford. MinaLima worked on the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films. In The Adventures of Pinocchio, MinaLima creates beautiful designs and elaborate illustrations that breathe new life into an old story while maintaining the integrity of the classic version originally illustrated by Enrico Mazzanti.

Before I received my copy of MinaLima’s edition, I was afraid that the illustrations would be too modern and lack the timeless feel of the original. I could not have been more wrong. The pictures in MinaLima’s edition immediately transported me back in time to 19th-century Italy.

I have always enjoyed the story of Pinocchio, so I had pretty high standards of what an updated Pinocchio should look like. MinaLima far exceeded my expectations! The traditional style, interactive elements, and captivating artwork provide new and returning Pinocchio readers with a delightful literary and visual experience.

One of my favorite parts of MinaLima’s edition is the interactive Pinocchio, where readers can manipulate the famous puppet and cause his nose to grow.

The brightly colored fold-out scene featuring the reunion of Pinocchio and Geppetto inside the whale is imaginative, strange, and delightful all at the same time.

MinaLima’s edition draws readers back to a time when the circus was a big deal. The illustrations capture the absurd and at times, burlesque scenes in the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed MinaLima’s edition of Pinocchio and will happily add it to my collection of timeless classics. I love the outlandish story that starts out when a magic piece of wood is carved into a puppet. The lifelike marionette is like a young boy, excited by life yet dismissive of consequences. Pinocchio speaks volumes about the human condition and shows how life’s trials affect judgment and decision-making skills, ultimately leading to a more mature thought process. By the end of the story, Pinocchio learns numerous valuable life lessons and becomes a real boy.

Aside from the story arc, I also enjoy the unusual and whimsical places and details in the tale. The characters, places, and details of the story are so different from reality yet fit together well. The magic truly comes to life in Pinocchio.

Whether you have read the classic version or only know the story of Pinocchio through the Disney movie, the MinaLima edition has something to offer for all Pinocchio fans. This edition of Pinocchio is particularly enjoyable for new Pinocchio readers who can discover The Adventures of Pinocchio for the first time while enjoying gorgeous illustrations.

A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Harper Design, for review. You can purchase a signed copy for just £25 from MinaLima’s online store!