Peppino Pine, Aspiring Christmas Tree
One winter’s day, Mrs Blackbird arrives in the woods in a right state and won’t stop shouting: ‘Christmas is coming, it’s coming!’
The animals are intrigued; it would be lovely to celebrate here! They all really want a Christmas tree. What to do? They run to Peppino and ask him to let them decorate him. But he won’t have any of it; he runs away, hides… In the end, he gives in, and the animals start hanging whatever they find here and there onto the branches, but all those decorations tickle Peppino terribly; they bother him… There’s no shortage of squabbles, chases and amusing twists. Christmas is about being together; not much else is needed, and around Peppino, who has become a Christmas tree… unique and special, everyone in the woods enjoys an unforgettable celebration.
Aspiring Christmas Tree is the first adventure of a new character by Nicoletta Costa: Peppino! He is a very special tree; two legs sprout from beneath his branches… Yes, he’s a tree that walks! He never stays still, he’s always on the move, curious, a bit lazy, very absent-minded and gets into trouble without meaning to. He’s got quite a temper, but he’s generous and friendly, and he has lots of friends in the woods where he lives. Peppino Pine and his friends will be the stars of lots of funny and slightly zany stories.
By the same author or illustrator
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Peppino Pine and the City Cat
It is a sweet spring morning, and Pino Peppino is resting after all the hard work — and the joy — of Christmas. One of his old friends arrives: Pippo the cat, who has run away from home to reach the forest and explore it. But the forest is big and mysterious, and Pippo the cat is a little scared.…
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Mister Kite
A tender and reassuring early readers story about loneliness, friendship, and the joy of being found. Once, Mr Kite flew happily in the sky, playing with children who held him safely by a string. But one day, the string snaps, and he is carried far away by the wind — higher and higher, until he finds himself alone on a…
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Olga the Cloud and Grey
Olga meets Grey, a little cloud who is very excited to go flying with her. But there’s a problem: Grey can’t control himself and keeps dropping hail—on flowers, on cats, on rooftops, even on poor Mrs Emma! Scolded by Ugo the Little Bird, Grey bursts into tears, until Olga finds a clever solution: her bandana becomes a nappy to keep…
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Olga the Cloud and the Squirrel
One autumn afternoon, cheeky Tito the Squirrel leaps onto Olga the Cloud while she’s napping. He asks her to take him on an adventure, and together they fly over the sea, visit the mountains Bianca and Rosetta, soar above the rooftops of the city, and water the thirsty sunflowers. But when the Grey Cloud Aunties bring a heavy downpour, poor…
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Olga the Cloud and the Mountain
Rosetta is a beautiful mountain, dressed in green trees and wearing a snowy white hat. She and Olga the Cloud are the best of friends. One night, Olga and Ugo the Little Bird stay over at Rosetta’s, and the Moon reads them a bedtime story. But when the Sun rises, Rosetta’s snowy hat begins to melt in the heat! Olga…
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Olga the Cloud Goes to the Funfair
Olga, Gino and their friend Lalla set off for a magical night at the funfair. There’s candyfloss with Mr Kite, a shooting game with Patrizio the Rocket, a dizzy ride with Sonia the Star, and fritters baked by Giovanna the Moon. Lalla tries her luck at the fishing game, they explore the enchanted castle, and whizz down a giant rainbow-coloured…
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Olga the Cloud and the Wind
It’s a blustery day, and the mischievous Wind won’t leave poor Olga the Cloud alone. Wherever she tries to hide—in the branches of a tree, among the mountains, or with her plump, grey aunties—the Wind finds her and blows her away. At last, a kind girl named Ann opens her window and shelters Olga from the storm. After a cosy…
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Olga the Cloud and the Snow
In summer, Olga the Cloud sprinkles just a little rain, sometimes even on Raimondo the Cat when he misbehaves. In autumn, when the Sun goes on holiday, the showers grow heavier. The children long to splash in puddles—but they’re not allowed. Then, just before Christmas, little Leo makes a special request: “Please, please, Olga, make it snow!” It isn’t easy,…
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Olga the Cloud and the Sun
One morning, the Sun wakes up feeling unwell—pale, dizzy, and soon covered in red spots. The little birds are worried, and even the Doctor confirms it: the Sun has chickenpox! He doesn’t want to take his medicine, and hides under the covers, until help arrives from unexpected friends. Giovanna the Moon encourages him, and Olga the Cloud brings a gentle,…
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Goodnight, Olga the Cloud
Olga the Cloud has had a busy day—teasing the Sun, tickling a mountain, soaking a cat! But when night falls, finding the right place to sleep is not so easy: the Sun snores, the Moon sings, the Stars dance, and even the trees are occupied. Luckily, two kind little birds take Olga back home to her mummy. A tender and…
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Olga the Cloud
Meet Olga, a small white cloud who just wants to find the perfect place to sleep and to share her rain. But wherever she drifts — over the moon, a cat, a hen with her chicks, or a field of sunflowers — no one seems to want her around. Only when she joins other clouds does Olga discover the joy…
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The Cricket Family – I Am All Alone, I Come From Far Away
Kindness is the absolute protagonist of this 4-books series by legendary Italian picture book artist Nicoletta Costa: meet the Cricket family as they set out on amazing adventures, get rescued by friendly strangers, welcome new residents in their happy community. Little Ciacco, together with his family, has left to go live in another country, where dad will find a new…
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The Cricket Family – Franz Ant Makes New Friends
Kindness is the absolute protagonist of this 4-books series by legendary Italian picture book artist Nicoletta Costa: meet the Cricket family as they set out on amazing adventures, get rescued by friendly strangers, welcome new residents in their happy community. Franz Ant has to leave because his home has been destroyed by a storm. After long days of walking, he…
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The Cricket Family Goes on a Trip
Kindness is the absolute protagonist of this 4-books series by legendary Italian picture book artist Nicoletta Costa: meet the Cricket family as they set out on amazing adventures, get rescued by friendly strangers, welcome new residents in their happy community. The Cricket family takes a trip to the river. The little crickets have a great time. But then, big clouds…
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The Cricket Family
Kindness is the absolute protagonist of this 4-books series by legendary Italian picture book artist Nicoletta Costa: meet the Cricket family as they set out on amazing adventures, get rescued by friendly strangers, welcome new residents in their happy community. The Cricket family lives in an apartment building with kind and friendly neighbours who are always willing to help. Dad…
