Davide Cali
Davide Cali is a Swiss-born Italian writer of picture books and graphic novels, primarily for children and young adults. He lives in Italy. His work has been published in 25 countries and translated into many languages. He also writes under the pseudonyms Taro Miyazawa and Daikon.
Biography
Even though he was born in Liestal, Davide Calì grew up in Italy where he started his career as a comic book artist working with many fanzines. In 1994 he took a job as a comics author at the iconic Italian comics magazine “Linus”. He held that position until 2008.He started writing children’s books in 1998, his first works were published in Italy. Since 2004 his books have been published in France either by Sarbacane and in the magazine “Mes premiers j'aime lire”.
Currently, his books amount to more than 90. They have been translated in over 30 languages.
Davide Calì has also taught illustration-related courses for many organisations - both in Italy and in Europe - such as IED Istituto Europeo di Design in Turin, Artielier in Padova, MiMaster in Milan and Estonian Academy of Arts in Tallinn.
He provided the idea for “Cari autori vediamoci chiaro”, a guide for those who want to become professional illustrators. It affords advice and suggestions from Davide Calì and other important Italian authors. In 2003 the book had been produced by Zoolibri/Delicatessen and given out for free.
His latest articles concerning illustration and children’s books appeared on the website Frizzifrizzi and on Morena Forza’s blog Robadadisegnatori. They are soon to be gathered in order to create a free-downloading guide.
He took part in a great number of exhibitions - either as an artist or a superintendent- in Paris and all around France and on the web. Many shows based on his works have been staged in France, Belgium, Italy and Japan.
Since 2016 he has been the art director at , the storytelling agency that the Italian writer Pierdomenico Baccalario has founded in London, in 2014.
Works
Album
Works originally published in Italian
- Storia di Alfonso e del suo cane Boris, illustrated by the author, 2000
- Mi piace il cioccolato, illustrated by Evelyn Daviddi, Zoolibri, 2001
- Zaccaria cane parlante e altre storie di animali, illustrated by the author, 2002
- Il gatto verde, illustrated by the author, 2002
- La collezione di biscotti, illustrated by Evelynn Daviddi, Zoolibri, 2006
- Due eroi sono troppi, illustrated by Miguel Tanco, Arka, 2006
- Voglio una mamma-robot, illustrated by Anna Laura Cantone, Arka, 2007
- Quel che vorrei, illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi, Einaudi Ragazzi, 2007
- L'orso con la spada, illustrated by Gianluca Foli, Zoolibri, 2008
- L'isola del piccolo mostro nero-nero, illustrated by Philip Giordano, Zoolibri, 2008
- Auto-futuro, illustrated by Maurizio Santucci, Zoolibri, 2011
- Raymond il bambino a rotelle, illustrated by Simone Frasca, Emme 2011
- La prossima volta!, illustrated by Gianni Peg, Emme, 2011
- Mondo fantastico, co-authors Federica Iacobelli, Vanessa Sorrentino, illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi, Carlotta Costanzi, Massimo Ottoni, Marco Paci, 2011
- Signor Alce, illustrated by Sara Welponer, Emme, 2012
- Io, Qinuq, illustrated by Leire Salaberria, Kite Edizioni, 2013
- Mio papà, il grande pirata, illustrated by Maurizio Quarello, Orecchio Acerbo, 2013
- Polline – Una storia d'amore, illustrated by Monica Barengo, Kite Edizioni, 2013
- Pum, Pum!, illustrated by Maddalena Gerli, Zoolibri, 2014
- Quando un elefante si innamora, illustrated by Alice Lotti, Kite Edizioni, 2014
- Un giorno, senza un perché, illustrated by Monica Barengo, Kite Edizioni, 2014
- Biancaneve e i 77 nani, illustrated by Raphaëlle Barbanègre, EDT Giralangolo, 2016
- La rapina del secolo, illustrated by the author, Biancoenero Edizioni, 2016
- La casa di riposo dei supereroi, illustrated by the author, Biancoenero Edizioni, 2016
- Il richiamo della palude, illustrated by Marco Somà, Kite Edizioni, 2016
- Inaugurazione del Poseidon, illustrated by Noemi Vola, Biancoenero Edizioni, 2017
- Quando un elefante mette su casa, illustrated by Alice Lotti, Kite Edizioni, 2017
- La dieta del pugile, illustrated by Noemi Vola, Biancoenero Edizioni, 2017
- Gianni Ginocchio e il segreto inconfessabile, illustrated by Laura Re, Lapis Edizioni, 2017
- Atlante dei Luoghi Immaginari, co-written by Pierdomenico Baccalario, illustrated by Isabella Mazzanti, Mondadori, 2017
- Mio nonno gigante, illustrated by Bruno Zocca, Biancoenero Edizioni, 2018
- L’orso che non aveva mai voglia di fare nulla, illustrated by Lali Limola, Eli Readers, 2018
- Il venditore di felicità, illustrated by Marco Somà, Kite Edizioni, 2018
- Tre in tutto, illustrated by Isabella Labate, Orecchio Acerbo, 2018
- Il perché degli spinaci, illustrated by Andrea Rivola, DeAgostini, 2018
- L’accademia dei supereroi, illustrated by the author, Biancoenero Edizioni, 2018
- Lo scrittore, illustrated by Monica Barengo, Kite Edizioni, 2019
- Dicono di me, illustrated by Marianna Balducci, Hop Edizioni, 2019
- Carlo Cucito e la fiera del fumetto, illustrated by Laura Re, Lapis Edizioni, 2019
Works originally published in Italian (Switzerland)
- La casa degli uccelli, illustrated by Tiziana Romanin, Marameo Edizioni, 2019
Works originally published in French
- Un papa sur mesure,, illustrated by Anna Laura Cantone, Sarbacane, 2004
- Juste a ce moment-là, illustrated by José Saraiva, Sarbacane, 2004
- Piano Piano,, illustrated by Éric Heliot,Sarbacane, 2005
- Bernard et moi, illustrated by Éric Heliot, Sarbacane, 2005
- Moi, j'attends,, illustrated by Serge Bloch, Sarbacane, 2005
- La vie de chapeau, illustrated by Éric Heliot, Sarbacane, 2006
- Si je fusse une grenouille, illustrated by Benedicte Guettier, Sarbacane, 2006
- L'ennemi,, illustrated by Serge Bloch, Sarbacane, 2007
- Leopold, Chien de divan, illustrated by Camille Jourdy, Sarbacane, 2008
- J'aime t'embrasser,, illustrated by Serge Bloch, Sarbacane, 2008
- La revanche des aubergines, illustrated by Éric Héliot, Sarbacane, 2009
- Marlène Baleine, illustrated by Sonja Bougaeva, Sarbacane, 2009
- C'est quoi l'amour?,, illustrated by Anna Laura Cantone, Sarbacane, 2011
- Monstres et légendes,, illustrated by Gabriella Giandelli, Actes Sud Junior, 2011
- Coccinelles cherchent maison,, illustrated by Marc Boutavant, Sarbacane, 2011
- Quand je ferme les jeux..., illustrated by Robin, Sarbacane, 2011
- 10 petits tanks s’en vont en guerre,, illustrated by the author, Editions Thierry Magnier, 2012
- Petit Inuit,, illustrated by Maurizio Quarello, Sarbacane, 2012
- Bons baisers ratés de Paris, illustrated by Anne Rouquette, Gulf Stream, 2012
- Paris 2050, illustrated by Ale+Ale, Actes Sud, 2012
- Tendres bêtises à faire quand on est amoureux, illustrated by Robin, Sarbacane, 2013
- Un week-end de repos absolu, illustrated by Alexandra Huard, Sarbacane, 2013
- Les jours hibou, illustrated by Vincent Mathy, Sarbacane, 2013
- Le grand livre de la bagarre, illustrated by Serge Bloch, Sarbacane, 2013
- Elle est où la ligne, illustrated by Joelle Jolivet, Trimestre / Oskar, 2014
- Bons baisers ratés de Venise, illustrated by Isabella Mazzanti, Gulf Stream, 2014
- Vide-grenier, illustrated by Marie Dorleans, Sarbacane, 2014
- Le perroquet de l’Empereur, illustrated by Chiaki Miyamoto, Nobi-Nobi, 2014
- Il était trois fois: les trois petits cochons , illustrated by Roland Garrigue, Nathan, 2015
- Bons baisers ratés de New York , illustrated by Raphaëlle Barbanègre, Gulf Stream, 2015
- Chez moi, illustred by Sébastien Mourrain, Actes Sud, 2016
- Les Bacon Brothers: retour en Amérique!, illustrated by Ronan Badel, ABC Melody, 2016
- Crotte!, illustrated by Christine Roussey, Nathan, 2016
- Cours!, illustrated by Maurizio Quarello, Sarbacane, 2016
- Bronto-stégo-mégalo-saurus, illustrated by Sebastien Mourrain, Sarbacane, 2017
- Eléctrico 28, illustrated by Magali Lehuche ABC Melody, 2017
- Cornelius Holmes /1: Le caniche des Baskerville, illustrated by Océane Meklemberg, La Palissade, 2017
- La souris qui voulait faire une omelette, illustrated by Maria Dek, Helium, 2017
- Les amoureux, illustrated by Roland Garrigue, Sarbacane, 2018
- A chaque pied sa chaussure, illustrated by Cecilia Campironi, Cambourakis, 2018
- C’est le chat, illustrated by Magali Clavelet, Gallimard, 2018
- Monsieur Tomate, prof. de maths, illustrated by Popy Matigot, Sarbacane, 2018
- Il était trois fois: La belle au bois dormant, illustrated by Amélie Falière, Nathan, 2018
- Qui veut jouer avec moi?, illustrated by the author, Sarbacane, 2018
- Mon premier jour de classe, illustrated by Amélie Groux, Little Urban, 2018
- Top-car, illustrated by Sébastien Mourrain, Editions des éléphants, 2018
- Bimbim est très en colère, illustrated by Michiko Chapuis, Rue du Monde, 2018
- Bimbim veut qu’on lui obéisse, illustrated by Michiko Chapuis, Rue du Monde, 2018
- La Chanson perdue de Lola Pearl, illustrated by Ronan Badel, L'Élan vert, 2018
- Les Cacacrotte: le barbecue, illustrated by Laure du Fay, Amaterra, 2018
- Les Cacacrotte: le musée, illustrated by Laure du Fay, Amaterra, 2018
- 4998 amis, illustrated by Michiko Chapuis, Rue du Monde, 2018
- Mon premier baiser?, illustrated by Amélie Groux, Little Urban, 2019
- Poussin, illustrated by Davide Merveille, Sarbacane, 2019
- Les jours des baleines,, illustrated by Tommaso Carozzi, Editions Chocolat! Jeunesse, 2019
- Tyranno-petite-soeur, illustrated by Sébastien Mourrain, Sarbacane, 2019
- Mon premier démi-frère, illustrated by Amélie Groux, Little Urban, 2019
- Où finit le monde?, illustrated by Maria Dek, Hélium, 2020
- On nous appelait les mouches, illustrated by Maurizio Quarello, Sarbacane Editions, 2020
Works originally published in French (Canada)
- Petit pois, illustrated by Sébastien Mourrain, Comme des géants, 2016
- Le grand voyage de Petit Pois, illustrated by Sébastien Mourrain, Comme des Géants, 2017
Works originally published in German
- Die Geschichte der Roten Nasen und der Roten Ohren, illustrated by Aurélie Guillerey, Annette Betz, 2007
- Omas unglaubliche Reise, illustrated by Anna Laura Cantone, Annette Betz, 2008
Works originally published in Spanish (Argentina)
- Spaghetti, illustrated by the author, Pequeño Editor, 2008
Works originally published in Spanish
- Poseando con Kiki, illustrated by Paolo Domeniconi, Fragatina, 2018
- Hugo no puede dormir, illustrated by Anna Aparicio Català, Nube Ocho, 2020
Works originally published in Portuguese
- Um dia, um guarda-chuva, illustrated by Valerio Vidali, Planeta Tangerina, 2011
- A rainha das rãs não pode molhar os pés, illustrated by Marco Somà, Bruàa, 2012
- Arturo, photos by Ninamasina, Bruàa, 2012
- A casa que voou , illustrated by Catarina Sobral, Bruàa, 2015
- Pergunta ao teu pai, illustrated by Noemi Vola, Bruàa, 2019
Works originally published in English (USA)
- I didn’t do my homeworks because, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Chronicle Books, 2014
- A funny thing happened on the way to school, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Chronicle Books, 2015
- The truth about my unbelievable summer, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Chronicle Books, 2016
- The Bacon Brothers: Back in the USA!, illustrated by Ronan Badel, ABC Melody, 2016
- A funny thing happened at the museum, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Chronicle Books, 2017
- George and the shadow, illustrated by Serge Bloch, Harper and Collins, 2017
- The truth about my unbelievable school, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Chronicle Books, 2018
- I hate my cats, illustrated by Anna Pirolli, Chronicle Books, 2018
- Good Morning, Neighbor, illustrated by Maria Dek, Princeton Architectural Press, 2018
- Grown-ups never do that, illustrated by Benjamin Chaud, Chronicle Books, 2019
- Where the World Ends, illustrated by Maria Dek, Princeton Architectural Press, 2020
Works originally published in English (Canada)
- Snow White and the 77 dwarfs, illustrated by Raphaëlle Barbanègre, Tundra Books, 2015
- Cinderella and the furry slippers, illustrated by Raphaëlle Barbanègre, Tundra Books, 2017
- A great dog, illustrated by Miguel Tanco, Tundra Books, 2018
Works originally published in English (UK)
- The Birthday Crown , illustrated by Kate Slater, Royal Collection, 2016
Comics & graphic novels for adults
- Adam et Eve: le Paradis perdure, illustrated by Yannick Robert, Varoum, 2014
- Tutte le ossessioni di Victor, illustrated by Squaz, Diàbolo, 2015
- Maschi da evitare, illustrated by Veronica "Veci" Carratello, Hop! Edizioni, 2018
Comics & graphic novels for children
- Le costume de Père Noël,, illustrated by Éric Heliot, 2005
- Pas de crotte pour moi, illustrated by David De Thuin, 2006
- Il faut sauver le sapin Marcel, illustrated by Clothilde Perrin, 2008
- Jérôme et les formis rouges, illustrated by Juliette Boulard, 2010
- Mission Kraken! Les aventures de l'intrépide équipe O.C.E.A.N., illustrated by Vincent Bourgeau, 2011
- Super Potamo, illustrated by Raphaëlle Barbanègre, September 2013
- London Mystery Club : Le loup-garou de Hyde Park, ABC Mélody, 2016
- Les ravencroft : chaque chose à sa place, illustrated by Valentina Brancati, Kramiek, 2018
- London Mystery Club : a mummy on the tube, illustrated by Yannick Robert, ABC Melody, 2018
The series of ''10 Petits Insectes (France)''
- 10 petits insectes ,, illustrated by Vincent Pianina, 2009
- 10 petits insects dans le brouillard , illustrated by Vincent Pianina, 2011
- 10 petits insectes. Retour vers le passé , illustrated by Vincent Pianina, 2013
The series of ''Cruelle Joëlle (France)''
- Cruelle Joëlle: la vie n'est pas si simple, Madame Mort! , illustrated by Ninie, Sarbacane, 2010
- Cruelle Joëlle: week-end frisson au lac crystal! , illustrated by Ninie, Sarbacane, 2012
- Cruelle Joëlle: une journee d'enfer , illustrated by Ninie, Sarbacane, 2013
Novels
Works originally published in French
- L'amour? C'est mathématique!, Sarbacane, 2013
- 3 tyrans + 1 bolosse = quelle vie!, Sarbacane, 2014
- Elle est où la ligne, illustrated by Joelle Jolivet, Trimestre / Oskar, 2015
APP
- A ciascuno il suo, developed by: Paramecio Studio, Kite Edizioni, 2012
- Moi, j’attends, developed by: France Televisions Distribution SA,© Les films d'ici 2, la Station Animation, les éditions Sarbacane, 2013
Multimedia
- Pandaroux, Lunii, 2019
- Les jours hibou, illustrated by Vincent Mathy, Piboco, 2019
Translations
- Pour aimer son tigre, A2Mimo, 2019
Theatre Adaptations
- Moi, j’attends, Compagnie O’Navio Théâtre, 2010
- L’ennemi, Compagnie Art tout Chaud, 2010
- L’ennemi, MicMac Théâtre, 2010
- Pouce!, Compagnie Marche ou rêve, 2010
- Mon Père le grand pirate, Compagnie Marche ou rêve, 2014
- Duplex,, Compagnie Théâtre de l’Éclaircie, 2019
Awards
- Eurochocolate Award, Italy, 2001
- Prix Libbylit, best album Moi, j’attends, Salon du Livre de Jeunesse de Namur, Belgium, 2005
- Prix Baobab, best album Moi, j’attends, Salon du livre de Jeunesse de Montreuil, France, 2005
- Premio Words and Music, Menzione speciale per Piano piano, Fiera di Bologna, Italy, 2006
- Prix Suisse Enfantaisies, Piano piano, Losanna, Switzerland, 2006
- Prix SNCF, Moi, j’attends, Festival du livre de jeunesse de Rouen, France, 2006
- Selezione White Ravens, Voglio una mamma robot, Germany, 2008
- Selezione White Ravens, L’orso con la spada, Germany, 2009
- Selezione CJ Picture Book Awards, L’orso con la spada, Korea, 2009
- Prix Bernard Versele, L’Ennemi, Brussels, Belgium, 2009
- Chinatimes, Best Album for Kids, L’Ennemi, Taiwan, 2009
- Selection Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, The Enemy, USA, 2010
- Selection White Ravens, Marlène Baleine, Germany, 2011
- Primer Libro Kirico, Malena Ballena, Spain, 2011
- Prix littéraire du cycle 2 de la médiathèque de Bagneux, Marlène Baleine, France, 2011
- Prix des Bulles de Haute des Garonne, 10 Petits Insectes, France, 2011
- Prix littéraire de Plessis Robinson, L’Ennemi, France, 2011
- Prix Tam Tam, 10 Petits Insectes, La Courneuve, France, 2011
- Prix Tatoulu, Marlène Baleine, France, 2011
- Prix des Incorruptibles, Marlène Baleine, France, 2011
- Selection CJ Picture Book Awards, Um dia un guarda-chuva, Korea, 2011
- Prix DLire Canalblog, Cruelle Joëlle, France, 2011
- Prix Bulles en Haute Garonne, Jerôme et les Fourmis rouges, 2012
- Prix de la bande dessinée jeunesse de Montreuil-Bellay, Cruelle Joëlle, France, 2012
- Prix Littéraire des écoles de Châtenay-Malabry, Marlène Baleine, France, 2012
- Prix des ados, Salon du Livre Midi-Pyrénées, L’amour? C’est mathématique! France, 2014
- Premio Cassa di Risparmio di Cento, Mio padre, il grande pirata, Italy, 2014
- Premio Orbil, Mio padre, il grande pirata, Italia, 2014
- Prix du Livre jeunesse Marseille, Le grand livre de la bagarre, France, 2014
- Selezione White Ravens, Quando un elefante si innamora, Germany, 2014
- Premio Il gigante delle Langhe, La regina delle rane, Italy, 2015
- Prix des enfants Salon de Saint-Orens, Elle où la ligne?, 2015
- Premio Soligatto, Mio padre, il grande pirata, Italy, 2015
- Prix Bernard Versele, L’amour? C’est Mathématique!, Belgium, 2015
- Prix de la foire de Wroclaw, L’Ennemi, Poland, 2015
- Prix Boscarato, Miglior Sceneggiatura, Tutte le ossessioni di Victor, Italy, 2015
- Prix Laura Orvieto, Mio padre, il grande pirata, Italy, 2015
- Prix Bernard Versele, L’amour ? C’est mathématique !, Belgique, 2015
- Prix Soligatto, Sono arrivato in ritardo a scuola perché, Italy, 2016
- Prix Festival du livre Jeunesse de Annemasse, Selection Lecteurs Juniors, L'amour c’est mathématique!, France, 2016
- Prix Michel Tournier Jeunesse, Les Bacon Brothers, France, 2018
- Prix Michel Tournier Jeunesse, Les Bacon Brothers, France, 2018
- Prix Littéraire de la Citoyenneté, Cours!, France, 2018
- Prix Alizé bibliothèques de Vienne, Cours!, France, 2018
- Prix Nénuphar de l’album jeunesse, Cours!, France, 2018
- Prix Chronos Vacances, Eléctrico 28, France, 2018
- Prix Kilitou, Eléctrico 28, France, 2018
- Premio Orbil, Tre in tutto, Italy, 2019
- Prix des Petits Caractères, Poussin, France, 2019
- Premio Legambiente, Tre in tutto, Italy, 2019
- Prix Danielle Grondein, Journées du livre jeunesse de la ville Les Pennes-Mirabeau, La chanson perdue de Lola Pearl, France, 2019
- Prix Enfantaisie, Poussin, Switzerland, 2020