From the father of modern Italian children's literature, this is one of the great works about the imagination and how stories are made—featuring radiant illustrations from Matthew Forsythe and a revised, refreshed translation from esteemed children's literature scholar Jack Zipes.

The Grammar of Fantasy is a playful, practical guide to unleashing human creativity through the power of storytelling (something we here at Convivio Bookworks are particularly enchanted with). It is essential reading for anyone interested in the inner workings of the imagination and how to spark creativity. 

Full of ideas, glosses on fairy tales, stories, and wide-ranging activities, this book changed how creative arts were taught in Italian schools when it was first published in 1973. A great handbook for writers of any age and for teachers. You'll find in these pages a playful, practical path to finding your own voice through the power of storytelling.

"Holds great value for the adults who teach kids and the adults who write for them." —Mac Barnett, U.S. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, for the New York Times.

Hardcover with dust jacket, 313 pages. 2025.