Fiabe Sottosopra is an enchanting journey into the world of fairy tales, where stories are turned on their heads, and clichés dissolve into sweet verses. Among these stories is The Wolf’s Ballad, a project born from a collaboration with Massimo Perrone. In this rhymed narrative, the wolf, usually seen as the cruel antagonist, is revealed in a new light: tender and gentle, seeking only friendship. The wolf, feared by all, here becomes a hero with a big heart, overturning the stereotypes of classic fairy tales and transforming fear into a reassuring lullaby, perfect for lulling children into the world of dreams.

This fairy tale was one of the winners of the Fiabe in Alto Mare contest by Sestante Edizioni. The victory led to the publication of the nursery rhyme in a trilogy, enriched by two other equally wonderful stories that explore the overcoming of fears and everyday challenges. As The Wolf’s Ballad was the only illustrated tale in the collection, the publisher asked me to bring the other two stories to life visually as well.

The Fiabe sotto sopra trilogy consists of three stories:

• Elephantocchio, the story of a little elephant who dreamed of being an antelope, symbolizing a desire for transformation and self-discovery.
• The Little Black Sheet, the tale of two children who, by confronting their fears embodied in a shy little black sheet, learn to find the courage that resides within them.
• The Wolf’s Ballad, a rhymed masterpiece that celebrates the birth of a pure and sincere friendship between a little girl and a tender-hearted wolf.

This book is much more than just a collection of children’s stories: it is a work that teaches, shapes, and guides young readers through universal themes like courage, friendship, and self-acceptance. Suitable for children of all ages, Fiabe sotto sopra is an educational and formative journey that I highly recommend to anyone who wishes to rediscover the power of fairy tales to transform the world, if only for a night.