From September 2007 to December 2008 I was hired by the Gazzetta di Parma (Gazette of Parma) to make the drawings for the children's column "La Gazzetta dei Piccoli" (Toddlers' gazette), edited by Mariagrazia Villa and Silvia Ugolotti. Through a strong sign and a lively colour range (suitable for printing on newspapers), I created a large series of drawings that summarized the content of the articles.
The aim of this column was to inform, entertain and educate a young audience, mainly children and young people from primary and secondary schools.
The column offered a variety of content ranging from news, science, technology and the environment to the presentation of cultural events, exhibitions, festivals and museums with initiatives dedicated to children. Special attention was devoted to the world of animals, both domestic and wild or endangered.
A key component was the promotion of reading and writing. Fiction and popular books for children were reviewed, series of classics were presented and authors were interviewed. The column encouraged children to read and write, publishing their work as poems or essays and explicitly inviting them to submit their own articles, stories and portraits. Tips for aspiring writers and different learning strategies were also suggested.
'The Children's Gazette' also dealt with social issues relevant to the readers' age group, such as bullying (including bullying of women), child labour, child soldiers and other forms of oppression, often presenting initiatives or projects aimed at helping children in need. In parallel, it included funny stories, jokes and trivia, as well as providing practical advice on creative or everyday activities.
Interaction was central: the column invited readers to actively participate through competitions, questions and the possibility of seeing their contributions published. It also promoted values such as friendship, self-confidence, curiosity, altruism, love of justice and recognition of the importance of mistakes in the growth process.
In summary, the aim of the column was to offer young readers an informative, cultural and entertaining space that stimulated their curiosity, encouraged reading and creativity, sensitised them to important topics and promoted active participation and personal development.