What happens when an eccentric captain (who says "Poppycock!" all the time) gets tired of not having any more wars to fight and decides to create his own?
It's a special day in a small village on the hills.
It's the day of the mayor's daughter wedding, and everyone is ready to celebrate.
But suddenly ... A war submarine appears in the central square!
Where did it come from?! How did it get there ... without any water?!
It'll take a while to understand that the culprit is the eccentric captain who decided to declare war on the small hilltop village.
What will this crazy situation lead to?
What will happen when the captain (left alone in the depths of the sea for such a long time) starts to acquaint himself with the villagers?
A humorous story with a pacifist background about the discovery of ourselves and the world around us. Funny and surreal. A story to make you smile yet reflect a little bit, talking about friendship, pastries, kisses and smiles. Because another life (... another way) is always possible.
For all readers aged 6 to ... 100!
A fairy tale for everyone, with 13 watercolour and pastel illustrations.
"He couldn't actually fish, but he found it quite relaxing to sit there listening to the sound of the water flowing. He had always seen the water from below the surface. What a surprise it was to look at it from above, with the reflection of the sun, the scents in the air and the sounds of the countryside."
Also available in Italian and as ebook.
Note for the reader: this book is written in British English.
About the Author: Vanessa Navicelli. This is me.
I was born in the North of Italy, in a small village on the hills, not far from the river Po. I grew up with 'Little House on the Prairie', with the American movies of the 40s and the 50s (all sorts!), with Italian neorealist movies, with English 19th century novels and with Giovannino Guareschi's novels, 'The Little World of Don Camillo' (which in the American movie version had Orson Welles as a voiceover narrator).
I attended a Scientific High School and then I started to study Literature and Philosophy at the University of Pavia (near Milan), where I still live today.
With my unpublished novel 'The Bread under the Snow' I was one of 21 finalists - from among 1,100 participants - of the 'La Giara' 2012 Literary Prize for Unpublished Novels, a scheme created by RAI, Italian State Television. I was in fact selected as the winner for the Emilia Romagna region.
In 2008 and in 2009 I participated, with some of my poems and nursery rhymes, in a touring poem exhibition, which was organized to spread the message of peace and to raise funds for Amnesty International, Emergency and for the Saharawi population.
I recharge my batteries under the spring sun and the winter snow. Other climatic conditions have a terrible effect on me (making me sleepy, irritable and bringing out the killer instinct in me).
I deeply love Christmas time (and have lights and decorations in my house all year round).
I have a dog whose name is Spank. He does not know how to bark. But, after all, neither do I.
I write novels for adults and young adults; and stories for children.
When I write, I try to keep four things in mind: simplicity, empathy, humour and the real desire to tell a story.
I believe in kindness. And in humour. (Maybe it's humorous to believe in kindness ...).
Frank Capra once said, "In my opinion, with humour and affection we promote good instincts. They're a tonic for the whole world." I endorse it.
And I also endorse Giacomo Puccini's words when he said, "I want to get to people's heart." I'm sure that goodness brings goodness. And I love to tell it.
