Petra by Marianna Coppo

In her first person narrative Petra speaks directly to the reader about her life, feelings, expectations, and reactions. 

"Nothing can move me. Not the wind. Not time. I don't go anywhere. Everyone comes to me."

Petra herself is a huge image on the page. She looks like a large rock, even a boulder and her size is confirmed when she tells us she is fearsome, fearless, mighty and magnificent. She is a mountain!

BUT then we turn the page and discover the truth! Petra is really only huge in her own mind. She is actually the size of a pebble. She is picked up by a dog, then kicked into a bird nest but nothing can crush the spirit of Petra. In the nest she imagines hatching into a dragon or a tuxedo wearing penguin. Her words are so optimistic and upbeat "Whatever I become, I'm bound to be amazing!"

Then the bird kicks Petra out of the nest.  Her adventures continue. Eventually she is picked up by a young rock collector who takes her home where she is given a totally new identity.

Petra was originally published in Italian. You can see the whole book here.

Here are two recent books by Marianna Coppo: