Alemagna's Artistry Illuminates the Pacifist Fable "One and Seven"

This narrative reads almost like a parable celebrating human solidarity and shared experience: a tale featuring seven young people from different corners of the globe who are, in essence, the same child — exploring themes of childhood, equality, and global harmony.

Drawn from the beloved story collection Telephone Tales, One and Seven arrives in October 2023 as a beautifully illustrated picture book featuring artwork by Beatrice Alemagna. While previously published by Seuil in France, this marks its first appearance for Italian audiences.

For the Bologna-based artist, Rodari's work has occupied a cherished place since her youth, and bringing his stories and verses to visual life has been an organic expression of her artistic vision. In the pages created for this volume, she captures the dreamlike gazes of her characters alongside delicate material textures and backgrounds, achieved through mixed-media techniques.

The story's message resonates powerfully today: recognizing ourselves in others naturally makes conflict impossible. After all, children everywhere—and indeed all people—share the same longings, emotions, and dreams.

This book offers an ideal opportunity to discover Rodari's literary world while reflecting on our interconnected existence.