Two humanistic and engaging Italian children’s stories have recently been highlighted, offering young readers an imaginative window into adventure and moral lessons. These works also reflect the growing need in the Arab world for children’s literature to embrace translated global works.
اضافة اعلان
“Bloom and the Giant’s Feast”
By Marco Nocchi, illustrated by Elisa Manini, translated by Alma Salem
Published by the "Kalima" translation project at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Center.
The story is reminiscent of Sinbad tales from One Thousand and One Nights. It follows four close friends living in a remote coastal village inhabited by dwarfs. Each friend has a trade: Biut is a cook, Krin a carpenter, Toc a blacksmith, while the protagonist Bloom is a dreamer, constantly lost in thought, gazing at the stars and dreaming of traveling the world.
When a giant arrives in the village, the emperor wants to host a feast worthy of him. Biut struggles to prepare it because the villagers’ utensils and portions are too small for a giant. Bloom, using his imagination and creativity, devises a solution, allowing all four friends to serve a feast befitting the giant. Their success also enables Bloom and his friends to leave the village and explore the wider world.
The story incorporates traditional storytelling techniques, beginning with the classic “Once upon a time,” familiar to Arab readers. It emphasizes individuality and thinking outside the box, showing that even in a small, isolated village, one can achieve big dreams. The accompanying illustrations enhance the narrative by showing contrasts in size, utensils, and village life.
“Step Back a Little”
By Beina Erache, illustrated by Veronica Rufato, translated by Dr. Naglaa Waly
This story explores the theme of coexistence and respecting boundaries. It tells of a giant living near a city whose fame spreads far and wide, appearing in media, newspapers, and even in the names of local shops and streets. However, no one has truly seen him—only glimpses of his shadow.
The story teaches that harmonious interaction requires direct engagement rather than assumptions or hearsay. Recognizing personal space, maintaining a respectful distance, and valuing privacy are central messages. The giant chooses to retreat to the forest, maintaining a friendly but non-intrusive relationship with the villagers, illustrating the importance of balance between social interaction and personal freedom.
Both stories convey valuable lessons for young readers: creativity, courage, respect for others, and the wisdom of understanding before judgment. They also showcase the richness of Italian children’s literature for translation into Arabic.
