Melaracconti
(Apple tale) Book not yet available in English
Summary:
In the village of King Valerio, destroyed by constant wars, there aren’t trees, birds, flowers, and butterflies anymore. Together with the one hundred and sixty-four widows and orphans, Queen Delfina and Princess Melyna decide to move away from the battlefields, from wars and unhappiness, and they create a new life.
Edited by: Centro MeTRa - Università di Bologna (Italy)
Comment:
This book offers one of the most famous stories written by Adela Turin and illustrated by Nella Bosnia in the 1970s’, originally published by the important Italian feminist publishing house founded by Turin herself, Dalla parte delle bambine (On the side of girls). Adela Turin’s picture books present the daily achievements of women and girls, subverting the schemes of traditional children’s literature through stories of unconventional heroines, free to choose and fight. Stories that are worth reading and rereading even today, right for their openly “militant” choice in favour of girls’ empowerment. And to any reservations that some might express, we can reply with the words of Adela Turin, highlighting the irony and the problematic nature of this series’ books: “Our stories are not solutions, they are open-ended. They are witty, because children have a distinct sense of humour. We have not written them for girls, but on the side of girls.” A highly recommended read for boys too!!