Emma Perodi

Born in Cerreto Guidi, Tuscany, on January 31, 1850, Emma Perodi built a varied career as a writer, journalist, and editor. She wrote for both adults and young readers, and her work ranged from journalism and schoolbooks to fiction shaped by folklore and popular storytelling.

She is best remembered for Le novelle della nonna (Grandmother's Tales), a collection of stories inspired by Tuscan traditions and legends. The book helped secure her reputation as an important voice in Italian children's literature, though its darker, more mysterious tone also appeals to adult readers.

Perodi spent much of her professional life in publishing and periodical writing, remaining highly productive across several decades. She died in Palermo on March 5, 1918, leaving behind a body of work that connects journalism, education, and the imaginative world of Italian folk narrative.