Figure 1.--This is the cover of Edmondo de Amicis' charming book--'Curoe'. It is about an Italian school boy--Enrico. De Amicis wrote it as a dairy. Note the ribbon streamers on his sailor hat.

Edmondo de Amicis wrote a charming book about an Italian school boy--Enrico. De Amicis (1846–1908) was an Italian novelist, journalist, poet and short-story writer. His best-known book by far was the children's book Curoe. Nothing bhe wrote before or after approached the popularity of Curoe. The title means Heart. It might be more meaningfully translated 'The Heart of a Boy'. The inspiration for Curoe was the author's two sons, Furio and Ugo. The book's value lies in the depiction of childhood from a boys' view. The book also has a strong Italian patriotic message as my be expected from 19th century Italy. De Amicis also shows his Socialist sympathies. De Micis would later join the Italian Socialist Party. The book includes charming illustrations by Nardi, an Italian illustrator who we know very little about. The illustrations do not show the boys wearing smocks. They provide very detailed images of period Italian children's fashions. De Amicius published the book in 1886. It was published on the same day the book begins, October 17. This was the first day of school that year. De Amicis wrote the book as Enrivo's diary. Enrico describes his friends and the clothes they wear. The boys come from various socio economic backgrounds. The boys are a mixed age from about 6-14 years old. The book begins, "October: First Day of School - Monday 17th: To-day is the first day of school. These three months of my holiday in the country have passed like a dream. This morning my mother took me to school. I was entered for the third elementary class. Near the school door, I spoke with my teacher from last year. He said to me: 'Hello Enrico I hope you like your new class.'”

Created: 9:17 PM 9/6/2010
Last updated: 9:18 PM 9/6/2010