Angelo Tropea

Pinocchio and the Dragons of Martoon Angelo Tropea

Reading level: Ages 9 and up

Pinocchio and the Dragons of Martoon is a new Pinocchio story.

During his quest to become a "real boy," Pinocchio travels to Martoon - a planet inhabited by warring aliens. Along with his new friends, Merlo the Martoonian, Tizzy the catgirl and Minimo the mouse - and the unwelcomed Ringmaster, he has many exciting adventures during which he learns a great deal not only about the aliens, but also about himself and his desire to become a real boy. Pinocchio and the Dragons of Martoon is an interesting blend of realism and fantasy, a charming and exciting read - with over 60 illustrations - and a book that people of all ages can enjoy.

In the classic story "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi, the carpenter Geppetto carves a block of pinewood into a boy puppet he names Pinocchio. As soon as Pinocchio's nose is carved, it begins to grow whenever he tells a lie. When his feet are carved, they kick Geppetto. At first Pinocchio is certainly not a good puppet or a good son. He needs to learn many lessons about life. But as naughty as Pinocchio is, Geppetto still loves him and gives him room to grow. Through his many adventures, failures and successes, Pinocchio learns that many things in life are not free and have to be earned.

Although the Pinocchio in this new story is carved out of wood, he looks very much like a real boy and not at all like the Pinocchio drawn or imagined by artists of other books, films and television. One would have to look closely at this Pinocchio to notice the fine grains of polished wood. He also looks and speaks like a real boy, just like the one he dreams of becoming. In his quest for this dream, Pinocchio has many adventures, including "Pinocchio and the Dragons of Martoon", which starts when both he and Geppetto were swallowed by the whale.