Il puzzle di Matteo

For many years, Kite has featured publications addressing ethical, psychological, and social themes. ‘‘Il Puzzle di Matteo’’ was born from a collaboration with the Association Uniti per Crescere ONLUS.
The Association’s goal is to improve the lives of children with neurological problems and their families, promoting their school integration through the active involvement of teachers, parents, and classmates.
The need to present these topics clearly and delicately led to the creation of this illustrated book, which tells the story of Matteo, a child affected by Prader-Willi Syndrome.

But how can one talk to children about such a difficult subject?
Luigi Dal Cin stages three children and a puzzle to be reassembled.
Maria is the first and is in class with Matteo.
He is a unique child who must be discovered gradually and up close to truly understand him.
She is his friend, but she would like to be even closer and know how best to interact with him in every situation.
It is precisely because of this that during recess, while Matteo assembles the puzzle that Maria brought him, she meets his older sister, Ilaria, and asks her to accompany her on this journey.
The puzzle the child is assembling is used as a metaphor for the human being. If a piece is missing, the puzzle remains incomplete – and this is, in a way, Matteo’s story.

This book not only explains – with the natural simplicity of children – the issues related to a little-known disease, but also offers a reflection on the miraculous power of friendship, which perhaps children can access with greater ease and sincerity.