ROSANGELA Crispino was the people’s choice winner at last Thursday night’s eNVIe awards, where she pitched an illustrated, bilingual book series celebrating her Italian heritage.
“When I started school I spoke my Southern Italian dialect,” Ms Crispino said.
“I did not understand my fellow students and they did not understand me.
“Papa took me to Italia and I met my Nonna, she understood me and I understood her – I belonged.”
Back home in Australia, Ms Crispino asked her Papa to write letters to her Nonna on her behalf.
“He said no, you write the letters and I will correct them,” she said.
“The passion for my Italian heritage was born.
“I never had children, but four decades later my niece Alina was born and now I had someone to pass on all I knew and give that sense of belonging.
“My venture as an author is (the character) Alina Piccolina.”
The illustrated Italian/bilingual series of books will target five to 12 year old students studying Italian and those of Italian heritage.
“My vision is for this to evolve into an animation with a digital linkup to classrooms in Italia,” Ms Crispino said.
“In terms of international competition, think Dora the Explorer and Peppa Pig.
“Dora has been translated into 30 different languages and Peppa Pig has no less than 12,000 items of merchandise attached to her brand.
“Let’s not forget Madeline, the french girl who became an international phenomenon.
“While all three educate, engage and entertain, Alina Piccolina is different because she is based on real people, real places and real stories.”
Ms Crispino said the series had already attracted an enormous amount of interest.
“I have secured my first distributor and purchaser from a bookstore franchise in Melbourne and Catholic Education in Queensland is currently looking at integrating Alina into the curriculum,” she said.
“I have received an invitation to attend VATI (Victorian Association of Teachers in Italian) in Melbourne to showcase the series next year.
“The Venture Dorm program has been an overwhelming ride and the progress I have made is unbelievable.
“This has been a long time in the making and thanks to Venture Dorm it is finally happening.
“In September, Papa passed away.
“He never got to walk me down the aisle, but I am eternally grateful he walked me down the path of our heritage.”
