"IN THE OLD NORTH FOREST, CHRISTMAS IS CELEBRATED BY MISTAKE.
EVEN SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR...
EVERY TIME THERE’S A DARK NIGHT TO LIGHT UP!"

During the night of an eclipse, a raccoon lights a beacon to illuminate the wood. The blackbirds, observing the light, mistakenly believe that Christmas has arrived, and they hurry to turn on all the lights hidden among the trees for the occasion, waking up rabbits, badgers and foxes who, rubbing their eyes, look around and shout: “It’s Christmas! We need to prepare the dinner!”

And so, from a little misunderstanding, one after the other, all the animals of the wood prepare for an out-of-season Christmas, bringing light, warmth and a lot of wonder to the Old North Forest.

• The happiness that is found in being together. In being part of something bigger.

ANGELO MOZZILLO

Born in Naples in 1988, Angelo moved to Milan to attend film school. He stayed there, but instead of working on film sets he focused on writing. He likes discovering new stories and making up his own, mixing and reinventing words like shuffling a pack of cards. His latest works include the picture books Io sono foglia (I am a Leaf) Bacchilega Junior 2020, illustrated by Marianna Balducci and winner of the 2021 Andersen and SuperAndersen prizes and Natale per sbaglio (An Accidental Christmas), Clichy Edizioni 2021, illustrated by Martina Tonello.

MARTINA TONELLO

Martina Tonello is an illustrator and aspiring carpenter. She likes to explore new places, be it the forest path, the road to a new city or a desk drawer. She was born in 1993 in Padua and now lives in Bologna, where she spends her time inventing stories and workshops for children. She publishes with various publishing houses including Electa Kids, Piemme and Editoriale Scienza.