Italian author, Carlo Lorenzini, is responsible for creating our favorite childlike puppet, Pinocchio. Carlo Lorenzini started publishing a political newspaper from 1848 until Italy was founded in 1861. Afterwards, he began writing stories for children. In 1881, he published The Adventures of Pinocchio in the Children’s Magazine. This story was so successful that Carlo published it as a book in 1883. This tale is about a poor man named Geppetto that carves a little marionette out of an enchanted piece of wood which he names Pinocchio. Once Pinocchio is given life, he starts to abuse Geppetto. When the talking cricket encourages Pinocchio to do better, Pinocchio kills the cricket. After a series of bad decisions and failing tests given to him by the fairy, Pinocchio is turned into a donkey and is swallowed by a shark. Pinocchio finds Geppetto inside the shark’s belly and decides to rescue him. Afterwards, the fairy turns Pinocchio into a real boy. There were different versions of the ending to this story but fans encouraged Carlo to continue writing about Pinocchio’s adventures.
Pinocchio was adapted for television series, movies and theater. The best-known version was created by Disney which was much less dark than the original. In all adaptations, the moral lessons remain the same. Children should not lie, disobedience does not payoff, and children who take care of their parents will be rewarded.
The Cottage Shop offers the De Carlini Pinocchio Christmas Ornament which has a painted knicker outfit, a bowtie and a hat with a feather.
The De Carlini Ghepetto from Pinocchio Ornament has a painted green vest with matching pants, painted glasses on his face with white hair and hold a teaching book for Pinocchio.
The De Carlini Cricket from Pinocchio Ornament has a painted green jacket, black bowtie and gray pants.
Collect all three items to have a completed Pinocchio ornament set of your own!
