The Long Winter of Ugo Singer

A shell breaks open in a dark cellar. What comes out of it is a little tortoise named Ugo, Singer because he was born in an old sewing machine. Ugo dreams of the outside world, which he heard about from his mother Ester during the long months he spent closed in his egg. Sam is a curious little mouse, who overcomes his distrust of this strange species and first makes friends with Ester, who he takes care of and brings food and, once he arrives in the world, with little Ugo. But time passes at very different paces for the two friends. During the long winters of brumation for the tortoise, which always remains the same, the mouse grows quickly, becomes unrecognisable with long whiskers, then becomes old, in no time at all. Ugo suffers from this difference. He would like to change his rhythms, grow old together with his friend, and go out to discover the world and see winter without dozing off. Elisa Ruotolo writes a little story of friendship and diversity, growth and solitude with delicacy and poetry, which can move and touch readers of all ages, also thanks to the beautiful illustrations by Chiara Palillo.  

Il lungo inverno di Ugo Singer
Elisa Ruotolo; illustrations by Chiara Palillo
Bompiani, 2023