[1] It first appeared as an insert in Fanfulla della domenica in 1881,[2] and established as an independent publication later that year by Ferdinando Martini, who was also the periodical's first editor.

[3] The first issue was published on 7 July 1881, in which appeared the first installment of the serial novel by Carlo Collodi with the title La storia di un burattino (Italian for 'The story of a puppet').

This was followed by a hiatus of three months, after which the story resumed on 16 February 1882 as The Adventures of Pinocchio until its completion in January 1883.

[3] However, author and journalist Emma Perodi executed most of the editorial duties, but was not officially recognized in that role until 1887.

[3] The last issue was published on 26 June 1889,[2] after which the periodical and its staff was merged into Giornale dei fanciulli.