Marina Bassano – From Creation to Publishing
My name is Marina Bassano. I am a children’s book author and illustrator. My world is filled with magical quests, strange creatures, powerful bonds between a child and a little dog, and above all, strong emotions. The stories I tell are accessible to children, but they also quietly explore themes of difference, sensitivity, courage, and self-discovery.
I am a gifted (HPI), emotionally gifted (HPE), hypersensitive person, with a way of perceiving the world that has never quite fit into expected boxes. I grew up with that feeling of being out of step, of observing the world through a slightly blurred window—where details, emotions, and unspoken things often took up more space than anything else. This unique perspective is what I bring into my books.
I write what I feel deeply, with an intuitive and sensory approach. My imagination is rich—sometimes almost too much—and it is through creation that I find clarity. The adventures of Ecco the little Shih Tzu and Matthew, his 8-year-old companion, are a way of shaping this imagination and sharing it without losing its essence. My stories explore friendship, mystery, parallel worlds, but also choices, instinct, comfort, and loyalty.
I place great importance on imagery. As an illustrator, I visually build what the words begin: an atmosphere. Not too smooth, not too polished. My style is lively and narrative, designed to make people feel as much as understand.
My work intentionally does not follow the traditional codes of children’s literature. I speak to curious, dreamy children—sometimes very sensitive, or simply looking for adventures that do not treat them like perfectly behaved little adults. My goal is not to moralize, but to stimulate imagination and emotion.
I create on my own, at my own pace, guided by intuition. What I offer may be a little different, but I believe there is a place for atypical voices in children’s literature.