The Grammar of Fantasy: An Introduction to the Art of Inventing Stories

This collection of essays, originally published in Italian in 1973, is a cross section of ideas where art, philosophy, pedagogy, poetry, imagination, and play intersect to inspire educators to reexamine how they nurture creativity in their students. At first, the book’s perspective on writing and creativity might feel like a relic of a bygone time—not outdated, but refreshingly different from our fast-paced, hyperconnected world. It takes readers back to an era before the internet reshaped how we engage with words and images. Paired with fantastical illustrations by Forsythe, the text serves as both a historical artifact and an invitation to slow down, to play with language, and to rediscover an approach to storytelling and teaching that values depth, whimsy, and thoughtful experimentation. Rodari includes examples of his writing and storytelling workshops with students, along with a wealth of books and essays that informed his philosophy. Combined with colorful and evocative illustrations, the book remains atmospheric and engaging throughout. Exercises such as “The Fantastic Binomial” and “The Arbitrary Prefix” offer practical storytelling techniques adaptable for any age group. Despite its philosophical and pedagogical nature, this book is profoundly inspiring. It speaks about education in a way that acknowledges the writing process as nonlinear, winding, and deeply subjective. Rodari doesn’t just advocate for imaginative thinking in children; he invites educators to adopt this mindset as well, creating a ripple effect that fuels an entire learning environment with curiosity and play. This throwback to an earlier era of professional learning feels strikingly different from today’s educational texts.