Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The Italian writer Gianni Rodari was not only the author of many beloved children's books who was awarded the prestigious Andersen Prize, he was also an educator and activist who truly understood the power of the imaginative life. In this delightful classic -- now translated into English for the first time -- Rodari presents numerous and wonderful techniques for creating stories. He discusses these specific techniques in the context of the imagination, fairy tales, folk tales, children's stories, cognitive development, and compassionate education. Gianni Rodari was one of the founders of the innovative educational approach that began in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and is now making itself felt throughout the U.S. The Grammar of Fantasy grew out of a series of informal workshops that Rodari conducted for the teachers of Reggio Emilia.
Synopsis
Considered a visionary in his own time, Rodari's well-respected pedagogical reflections, philosophies, and exercises appear in this book. Each essay is designed to guide the teacher on using fairy tales and folk tales for cognitive development and creative writing. This book is a classic manual for educators interested in stimulating children to develop their own writing and reading skills in a manner that will enable children to gain greater autonomy. -- Jack Zipes, from his introduction.