Podcast

Video

Over the next few weeks, I am going to talk here about my first book of illustrated poetry for children and youth, which, despite not having had a launch session yet is already on sale.

In fact, this project is much more than a book, that is what I am going to demonstrate in this article and over the next times.

The book is, for now, only available in Portuguese. However, I will translate the poems into English on Fridays I publish the version here for my readers in English (includes video and podcast).

1 – It is a solidarity initiative

The proceeds from the copyright of this book go to Acreditar – Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Cancer. So, when you buy this book, you will also be helping these children.

This is for me a gesture of gratitude to those who helped me when I needed it most when I fought my personal battle against cancer.

2 – It is a pedagogical dynamic

These poems were read in classrooms and gave rise to audios that I will share here on the blog and on the social networks where I am represented. This initiative is only Portuguese. The readings in English will be done by me for now.

There are 20 poems, some read more than once. I accepted all the readings, as I respect the expectations of the children who also wanted to help with this gesture. Thank you for keeping an eye out for the commitment of all of them!

3 – It is an action to bring poetry to children

This book is intended for children between 6 and 10 years old, for a Children and Youth audience. Cultivating a taste for poetry in children will generate adults awake to this genre of creative writing, which is so typical of our country and in the language of Camões.

A child who reads will become a healthier and more creative adult.

4 – It is a reading promotion vehicle

- Between grandparents and grandchildren

- Between parents and children

- Between students and teachers

- Among friends

- Individual

5 – It is a gesture that gives visibility to animals

With this reading, children gain another insight into the animals that live close to us and, in this way, a greater respect for the environment.

There are 20 animals in all(in the Portuguese version they are presented in alphabetical order):

Swallow

Butterfly

Dog

Lamb

Old wives

Bunny

Seagull

Rooster

Cat

Jackal Hyenas and Vultures

Lion

Blackbird

Ducks

Peacocks

Dove

Fox

Mouse

Reindeer

Frog

Cow

Over the next weeks, I'm going to expose here each of the animals represented in this book and beyond. Stay tuned, it will be worth it!

6 – It is a social analysis

The animals represented here are personified, acquire human characteristics, thoughts and feelings demonstrating some criticism and social analysis in a simple way to be read by and for children.

7 – It is a game for kids and adults

This book can be read by all ages. It is an invitation to play reading, imagination, poetry, and text creation and even drawing. It can be the starting point of creative dynamics. Just pick up the book and let your imagination run wild.

8 – It is illustrated poetry

The 20 poems in this book are my authorship. I am also the author of one of the illustrations (The cows – because I'm a collector of objects with this animal). The remaining poems were illustrated by another 17 illustrators, 13 Portuguese, 2 Brazilian and 1 Spanish.

9 – It is a dream come true

Publishing a children's book is a dream I have had for some time.

I am a Master in Information and Documentation Sciences, Librarianship variant. Translated to kids, I am a librarian by training.

I have a degree in Modern and Contemporary History, in the field of Cultural Property Management.

With this brief curriculum, I just want to demonstrate that all the training that I have accumulated over the years has contributed to bringing together the necessary tools to make this project more dynamic.

10 – It is a collective dynamic

Boosting this project was for me a lot of fun and work. For 20 days, during the month of February 2021, it was necessary to find people with talent for drawing, willing to collaborate at no cost on a project like this.

Social networks were one of the main vehicles that made contact with a vast number of people possible.

The help of my parents and 3 closest friends was indispensable.

I have included a preface written by Luísa Ducla Soares, a renowned Portuguese writer, born on July 20, 1939, in Lisbon, author of children's and youth literature.

Together we are stronger!

With this text I hope to have been able to motivate the purchase of at least one copy to read and give away!

This book can be purchased:

Flamingo (preferred shopping place for those who want to help)

Let us make this book a success and with this gesture help as many children as possible!

Grateful for the support

Nonô (M.ª Leonor Costa)