Teacher’s tip: at A1 and A2, a good textbook gives your Italian structure. On its own, though, it’s not enough. What works best with my students is a mix: a textbook, some grammar practice and an easy reader. Reading is where everything you studied in class finally sticks.
These are the books I’ve used for years with my private students, and the ones I’d recommend to a friend starting Italian from scratch. A few of them are mine (I write easy readers, so I’m a little biased). The others are textbooks and workbooks I trust.
1. Le Avventure di Paul a Roma
Level: A1/A2
Type: Easy Italian reader with exercises
Le Avventure di Paul a Roma is my short story for beginners: Paul moves to Rome, and you follow him through his new life in the city.
The grammar and vocabulary are simple, just right for A1/A2. There are 12 short chapters, and each one ends with a few comprehension exercises, so you know straight away if you’ve understood.
I wrote it to help you review grammar, learn new words and see Rome the way a local sees it. I live there, so I know the streets Paul walks through.
👉 Kindle or Paperback on Amazon 👉 PDF
2. Due Amiche e Un Album di Fotografie
Level: A1/A2
Type: Easy Italian reader with exercises
Due Amiche e un Album di Fotografie is another of my easy readers. Two friends meet again after a long time and look through an old photo album together.
The language is simple, right for A1. The chapters are short and each one has a few comprehension exercises. If you want a story and some practice in the same book, start here.
👉 Kindle or Paperback on Amazon 👉 PDF
3. Magia a Venezia
Level: A1/A2
Type: Easy Italian reader with audio
Magia a Venezia is my mystery story set in Venice. On a foggy morning during the acqua alta, Professor Alvise Contarini meets a mysterious woman in a black cloak, and an ordinary day turns into a journey through time, all the way to Marco Polo.
The Italian is clear and simple, with bilingual vocabulary, natural dialogue and exercises after each chapter. You also get slow audio narration recorded by a professional native voice artist, so you can read and listen at the same time.
I wrote it for learners who have finished their first easy stories and want something with a bit of mystery. It’s also a lovely way to discover Venice beyond the postcards.
👉 Kindle or Paperback on Amazon 👉 PDF and EPUB with audio
4. Volentieri A1
Level: A1/A2
Type: Textbook with exercises and audio
Volentieri A1 is a beginners’ textbook you’ll find in many Italian language schools. It covers the grammar and vocabulary you need at A1, always starting from everyday situations.
What I like most is the video course built into the book: it’s practical, it goes step by step, and it works both in class and on your own. If listening is your weak point, this one helps a lot.
👉 on Amazon
5. Un Tuffo nell’Azzurro
Level: A1
Type: Textbook with exercises and audio
Un tuffo nell’azzurro A1 is a very popular textbook in Italian language courses in Italy. It mixes grammar, vocabulary, dialogues and notes on Italian culture.
It moves forward in small steps, with lots of exercises. Every unit gives you useful expressions for real situations, so you learn the language and a bit about how Italians live.
👉 on Amazon
6. Basic Italian: A Grammar and Workbook
Level: A1/A2
Type: Grammar book with exercises
Basic Italian is a grammar reference and a workbook in one. The rules are explained in clear, simple English, and each topic has exercises right after.
It covers the grammar you need at A1/A2: verbs, prepositions, how to build a sentence. I’d suggest it if you study on your own and like having explanations in English.
👉 on Amazon
7. Easy Italian Step by Step
Level: A1/A2
Type: Grammar book with exercises and readings
Easy Italian Step by Step is a grammar book that really does go step by step, from the very basics to more complex structures.
Each chapter has short explanations in English, then exercises. There are also short reading passages, so you see the grammar in real sentences.
Good for independent learners who like a clear structure and want to know exactly what comes next.
👉 on Amazon
8. Praticamente dimmi…
Level: A1/A2
Type: Workbook with exercises
Praticamente… dimmi is a workbook for beginners who want to practice everyday Italian with simple grammar drills.
Use it to fix the basic structures and feel more confident speaking and understanding everyday Italian.
👉 on Amazon
9. Come e perché… Esercizi utili di italiano
Level: A1/A2
Type: Workbook with grammar and vocabulary exercises
Come e perché is a practical workbook on the grammar and vocabulary that come up most often at A1/A2.
The exercises are short and clear: articles, prepositions, verbs, questions. Each unit is small, so it works well on its own or next to your course book. The answer keys are right under each section, which makes checking your work quick.
👉 on Amazon
10. 501 Italian Verbs
Level: A1 and up
Type: Verb conjugation reference book
501 Italian Verbs is a classic. You’ll find it on the shelf of learners at every level.
It lists 501 common Italian verbs, fully conjugated in every tense and mood, with examples, idiomatic expressions and grammar notes. At the beginning it’s very reassuring: when you’re not sure about a verb form, you just look it up.
It’s not a textbook or a workbook, but it’s a great companion, whether you study alone or in a class.
👉 on Amazon
11. Viaggiamo in Italia. Livello A1-A2.1
Level: A1/A2
Type: Textbook
This textbook covers the grammar and vocabulary of A1 and the first part of A2. Every unit is built around traveling in Italy, so what you learn is practical from day one.
I’d recommend it if you’ve finished A1 or just started A2 and want to consolidate. The explanations are clear, the exercises are well organized, and the topics are the ones you’ll actually need on a trip.
12. Le prime 1000 parole di italiano. Con esercizi
Level: A1/A2
Type: Vocabulary builder with exercises
A practical way to learn the 1,000 most useful Italian words, with exercises to make them stick. Good for A1/A2 learners who want to grow their vocabulary fast.
👉 More info
13. Amore e cappuccino
Level: A0/A1
Type: Easy Italian reader
A short, easy story from Alma Edizioni for absolute beginners. Karen, a German tourist in Rome, meets Claudio, a mysterious Italian. The grammar is simple and the vocabulary is A1, so it works well as a very first reader.
👉 More info
14. Pasta per due
Level: A1
Type: Easy Italian reader
Another classic short reader from Alma Edizioni. It follows a couple who met online, with simple grammar and vocabulary for A1 learners. A good next step after your first easy story.
👉 More info
15. Piazzetta Italiana, a magazine for A2/B1 learners
Level: A2/B1
Type: Graded Italian magazine
Piazzetta Italiana is my magazine for A2 and B1 learners. It has short articles about Italian culture, travel, food and everyday life, written in clear, simple Italian.
It’s a step above beginner level, so keep it for when you’re ready for the next one. Each issue helps you build vocabulary in context and practice reading without fighting with difficult texts. You can use it on your own or in class.
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