Pinocchio was naughty from the very first day that Geppetto created him. Instead of going to school or learning a trade, the little puppet who magically came to life wanted only to eat, drink, sleep, and play. Poor Pinocchio's problems grew—as did his nose every time he told a lie, which was quite often. And even worse, he found himself in one dreadful situation after another; in prison, turned into a donkey, and even stranded in the belly of an enormous shark. Enhanced by Thea Kliros' 32 original illustrations, this newly abridged version of the beloved story includes all the familiar characters: Geppetto, a childless woodcarver; a wise old cricket; a sly fox and conniving cat; a lovely fairy; and a host of other figures. Filled with humor and adventure, and sealed with a heartwarming conclusion, this time-honored fable has thrilled youngsters for over 100 years. In this inexpensive edition, it will continue to enchant new readers and listeners. —back cover