Giunti Reissues Pink Monkey Pipì to Mark 200th Anniversary of Carlo Collodi

In a modest bookshop on Via del Corso, a new edition of a beloved children’s character arrived on the shelves on October 24, the day Italy celebrates Bookstores Day. The pink‑colored monkey Pipì, created by Carlo Collodi, was reissued by publisher Giunti in tribute to the writer’s 200th birthday.

Reviving a Classic Figure

Giunti announced that the new edition of “Pipì, lo scimmiottino color di rosa” will be available in bookstores nationwide. The reprint coincides with the bicentennial of Collodi, the author best known for “The Adventures of Pinocchio.” The publisher said the release is part of a series of events honoring the Italian literary figure.

Celebrations and Cultural Impact

Bookstores across Italy are marking the occasion with special displays and readings of Collodi’s works. Organisers of the Festa delle librerie highlighted the importance of children’s literature in preserving cultural heritage. Giunti noted that Pipì, though less known internationally than Pinocchio, remains a nostalgic symbol for generations of Italian readers.

Literary scholars cited the reissue as an effort to introduce younger audiences to classic Italian tales. “Reintroducing Pipì offers a fresh entry point to Collodi’s imagination,” said a spokesperson for the Italian Association of Publishers. The publisher also mentioned that the edition features restored illustrations and a new foreword discussing the character’s historical context.

The timing of the release aligns with a broader push to promote reading among children in the Middle East and North Africa, where Italian publishers are expanding distribution. Educational groups in Egypt have expressed interest in acquiring the title for school libraries.

Why it matters: The reissue of Pipì underscores a renewed focus on classic children’s literature, offering educators and families in the Middle East and Egypt a culturally rich resource to encourage reading and preserve literary heritage.