Mention Pinocchio and most Americans immediately think of the 1940 blockbuster film by Walt Disney that introduced the feisty wooden puppet with the pointy nose to millions of children.

But the Disney film classic – despite winning two Academy Awards — bears little resemblance to the original book, The Adventures of Pinocchio – Story of a Puppet by Carlo Collodi – a fact that many who attended the opening of the new exhibit, Carissimo Pinocchio (Dearest Pinocchio), at Casa Italiana are sure to remember, thanks to the informative presentation given by language instructor Cecilia Strettoi.