A Passo Leggero
2014, Bompiani
Observing life around me and searching within, I wrote A Passo Leggero (which means treading softly), a collection of short stories about connecting with others and with nature, that stem from spontaneous encounters and the unexpected beauty they revealed to me. The impetus to share them came from the desire to awaken a sense of belonging and oneness with life. I paced the narrative with the different movements we take in life: upbeat, lateral, vigorous, mindful, free, sensual, quantic, empathetic… For over a decade I have been exploring ways to accelerate sustainable development and I see great potential in the power of empathy, our ability to feel with others. We know what needs to be done, but can we feel deeply enough to take action? Can others inspire us to be more regenerative nurturing and caring? Does kindness work? I brought that question to Professor Giacomo Rizzolatti, the neuroscientist who discovered the mirror mechanism, or mechanism of empathy. Our conversation is at the center of the book. Every story is illustrated by Ramuntcho Matta, who, in line with his surrealist lineage, activates our subconscious.
“Gabetti brings together typical Anglo-Saxon pragmatism and Mediterranean passion. And the walks – short or long – are accompanied by the drawings of Ramuntcho Matta that stimulate unconscious, intimate, surprising reactions; they break down barriers and reveal new points of view. And empathy is scattered everywhere. In the snapshots that have become memories. In the night dives. Through the children to whom we reveal, day after day, pieces of the world. The book is divided into ten chapters. In turn, distributed in blocks. All with one goal: to orient us in a chaotic and complicated world, but at the same time compelling.”
Leonard Berberi – il Corriere della Sera
“A Passo Leggero can be read starting on any page, and each one opens a new door to the world. She talks about “changing” as a challenge, about solidarity, sustainability, happiness. She believes in social empathy. An invisible thread binds us all: the theory behind the studies of James Lovelock, Erwin Laszlo, and mystical economist Clive Hamilton.”
Rosellina Salemi – La Stampa
Tondo come il mondo
2010, Giunti
In 2009 I was commissioned a children’s book to bring sustainability in the classroom. The result is Tondo Come il Mondo, an informative and experiential journey to explain the interconnection between all forms of life. The success of the publication, which to date has reached almost 1 million students, is currently distributed in Italian elementary schools for the 12th consecutive year, confirming that children spontaneously grasp the principles of circularity and regeneration in our ecosystems and in all forms of recycling. They are quick to act according to what they learn. I am grateful to Fondazione Ambienta and Librì Progetti Educativi for making this project happen and to the inspired, dedicated teachers who year after year choose Tondo Come il Mondo as a textbook.
“Bob leads young readers on a journey in the magical world of the four elements. It’s a circular experience that mimics our planet’s circularity! […] There’s a lot of useful information, simple and accessible even for novices.”
Francesca Senette – Donna Moderna
“Bob, a round and cheery character, teaches children to love nature and not waste resources. In a practical way, with simple explanations on environmental problems and advice on the correct behaviour to adopt every day, from recycling to water conservation.”
Paola Riva – Bravacasa
Occhio allo Spreco
2009, Rizzoli – 2010, BUR
There is a way out of the crisis. It’s viable, full of common sense and simple but effective gestures. Occhio allo Spreco lists them, describing in detail what each of us is called to do – at home, in the office, around the world – to reduce waste, consume consciously, respect the rights of others and the nature that surrounds us. This is the best bet of our time: to actively participate in the transition to a more sustainable world.
“Every gesture, by itself, may seem insignificant, but in this case the sum of the parts can become something concrete.”
“It’s no accident that a woman wrote a book about avoiding waste, as women are its real adversaries. Not only because they continue to oversee the household, even when they have a career, but because women don’t just consider the present, but have the future, their children and grandchildren at heart. It is no coincidence that Occhio allo Spreco is dedicated to the adults of tomorrow. In the hope that they will be wiser than us.”
Aldo Cazzullo – io DONNA
“Cristina Gabetti’s vademecum does not settle for advice, it wants to guide us to a new way of consuming, designing, producing, investing, spending time, travelling and relaxing. In short, happy degrowth. A stimulating read.”
Gerhard Mumelter – Internazionale
Tentativi di Eco Condotta
Rizzoli, 2008
We know that our planet is inching towards environmental catastrophe. What can we do to correct our course? This book examines nine lifestyles, nine characters that reflect a part of us all: absent-minded, greedy, spoiled, boastful, pessimistic, know-it-all, conceited, lazy. The tone is light-hearted and ironic, allowing the reader to identify with habits that we carry forward from more innocent times. Then comes the impact of our unsustainable choices and the solutions we can embrace to transform our lifestyles. Our prosperity depends on the balance of our ecosystems. To love and respect nature should be natural. A pleasure, not a burden.
“Ironic, light-hearted but timely, full of practical information and suggestions that help deepen specific topics […] it draws a list of archetypes and puts them – puts us – in front of their – our – responsibilities towards the environment.”
Silvia Frau – Vogue
“It breaks the mould of rigid and boring ecologically correct manuals, intended for those who already know everything about the environment, and brushes a veil of glamour on eco-sustainability.”
Stefania Vitulli – Panorama
A Passo Leggero
2014, Bompiani
Observing life around me and searching within, I wrote A Passo Leggero (which means treading softly), a collection of short stories about connecting with others and with nature, that stem from spontaneous encounters and the unexpected beauty they revealed to me. The impetus to share them came from the desire to awaken a sense of belonging and oneness with life. I paced the narrative with the different movements we take in life: upbeat, lateral, vigorous, mindful, free, sensual, quantic, empathetic… For over a decade I have been exploring ways to accelerate sustainable development and I see great potential in the power of empathy, our ability to feel with others. We know what needs to be done, but can we feel deeply enough to take action? Can others inspire us to be more regenerative nurturing and caring? Does kindness work? I brought that question to Professor Giacomo Rizzolatti, the neuroscientist who discovered the mirror mechanism, or mechanism of empathy. Our conversation is at the center of the book. Every story is illustrated by Ramuntcho Matta, who, in line with his surrealist lineage, activates our subconscious.
“Gabetti brings together typical Anglo-Saxon pragmatism and Mediterranean passion. And the walks – short or long – are accompanied by the drawings of Ramuntcho Matta that stimulate unconscious, intimate, surprising reactions; they break down barriers and reveal new points of view. And empathy is scattered everywhere. In the snapshots that have become memories. In the night dives. Through the children to whom we reveal, day after day, pieces of the world. The book is divided into ten chapters. In turn, distributed in blocks. All with one goal: to orient us in a chaotic and complicated world, but at the same time compelling.”
Leonard Berberi – il Corriere della Sera
“A Passo Leggero can be read starting on any page, and each one opens a new door to the world. She talks about “changing” as a challenge, about solidarity, sustainability, happiness. She believes in social empathy. An invisible thread binds us all: the theory behind the studies of James Lovelock, Erwin Laszlo, and mystical economist Clive Hamilton.”
Rosellina Salemi – La Stampa
Tondo come il mondo
2010, Giunti
In 2009 I was commissioned a children’s book to bring sustainability in the classroom. The result is Tondo Come il Mondo, an informative and experiential journey to explain the interconnection between all forms of life. The success of the publication, which to date has reached almost 1 million students, is currently distributed in Italian elementary schools for the 12th consecutive year, confirming that children spontaneously grasp the principles of circularity and regeneration in our ecosystems and in all forms of recycling. They are quick to act according to what they learn. I am grateful to Fondazione Ambienta and Librì Progetti Educativi for making this project happen and to the inspired, dedicated teachers who year after year choose Tondo Come il Mondo as a textbook.
“Bob leads young readers on a journey in the magical world of the four elements. It’s a circular experience that mimics our planet’s circularity! […] There’s a lot of useful information, simple and accessible even for novices.”
Francesca Senette – Donna Moderna
“Bob, a round and cheery character, teaches children to love nature and not waste resources. In a practical way, with simple explanations on environmental problems and advice on the correct behaviour to adopt every day, from recycling to water conservation.”
Paola Riva – Bravacasa
Occhio allo Spreco
2009, Rizzoli – 2010, BUR
There is a way out of the crisis. It’s viable, full of common sense and simple but effective gestures. Occhio allo Spreco lists them, describing in detail what each of us is called to do – at home, in the office, around the world – to reduce waste, consume consciously, respect the rights of others and the nature that surrounds us. This is the best bet of our time: to actively participate in the transition to a more sustainable world.
“Every gesture, by itself, may seem insignificant, but in this case the sum of the parts can become something concrete.”
“It’s no accident that a woman wrote a book about avoiding waste, as women are its real adversaries. Not only because they continue to oversee the household, even when they have a career, but because women don’t just consider the present, but have the future, their children and grandchildren at heart. It is no coincidence that Occhio allo Spreco is dedicated to the adults of tomorrow. In the hope that they will be wiser than us.”
Aldo Cazzullo – io DONNA
“Cristina Gabetti’s vademecum does not settle for advice, it wants to guide us to a new way of consuming, designing, producing, investing, spending time, travelling and relaxing. In short, happy degrowth. A stimulating read.”
Gerhard Mumelter – Internazionale
Tentativi di Eco Condotta
Rizzoli, 2008
We know that our planet is inching towards environmental catastrophe. What can we do to correct our course? This book examines nine lifestyles, nine characters that reflect a part of us all: absent-minded, greedy, spoiled, boastful, pessimistic, know-it-all, conceited, lazy. The tone is light-hearted and ironic, allowing the reader to identify with habits that we carry forward from more innocent times. Then comes the impact of our unsustainable choices and the solutions we can embrace to transform our lifestyles. Our prosperity depends on the balance of our ecosystems. To love and respect nature should be natural. A pleasure, not a burden.
“Ironic, light-hearted but timely, full of practical information and suggestions that help deepen specific topics […] it draws a list of archetypes and puts them – puts us – in front of their – our – responsibilities towards the environment.”
Silvia Frau – Vogue
“It breaks the mould of rigid and boring ecologically correct manuals, intended for those who already know everything about the environment, and brushes a veil of glamour on eco-sustainability.”
Stefania Vitulli – Panorama
