The Adventures of Cipollino

Original title: Приключения Чиполлино

Gianni Rodari’s The Adventures of Cipollino, illustrated by Evgeny Migunov, holds a special place among the many Soviet editions of this classic story. Unlike other versions, Migunov’s illustrations were originally created not for a book, but for a filmstrip (diafilm) — a popular visual format in the USSR that combined storytelling with projected images.

These drawings were later adapted for print from the original film frames preserved in the artist’s archive. As a result, the edition features a smaller number of illustrations and lacks full-page spreads, yet the charm and skill of Migunov’s work remain undeniable.

His Cipollino is dynamic and cinematic, filled with humor and expressiveness. Every character — from the brave little onion boy to the pompous Signor Tomato — is captured with precision and warmth. Migunov’s visual storytelling conveys the same vitality and wit that defined his work in animation, making this adaptation a unique and beloved interpretation of Rodari’s classic tale.