I was tickled reading this book, not because it was good but because it was hilariously bad. It turns out that Pinocchio was first written as a serial in a children's magazine and then was published as a full book. Because of this, every chapter ends on a ridiculous cliff hanger.

Clearly the story was meant to be a teaching opportunity as many characters try to warn Pinocchio time and again to be good and obey his father and go to school. However, this message is undermined by the fact that Pinocchio always ignores the advice and often the messenger gets killed in gruesome ways. When a book is 95% naughty behavior and 5% adults lecturing, what part do you think the kid remembers?

I honestly think it would be a funny read aloud though (if your kids are older and can handle violence---Pinocchio literally gets hanged at one point) because it is over the top and hilarious and the chapters are short.