November 26, 2025
Below is a list of books recommended by Labedu to create a diverse collection with regional and racial representation in children's literature. Since August, these works have been part of the repertoire of early childhood education teachers in Pedreiras, Trizidela do Vale, Capinzal do Norte, Lima Campos, and Santo Antônio dos Lopes, in Maranhão, as part of the "Learning: Inside and Outside the School" project.
Cinderella and Her Ball
Author: Janaina Tokitaka | Illustrations: Flávia Borges
Publisher: Companhia das Letrinhas
The text explores sound devices, repetitions, and wordplay that hold the child's attention and encourage shared reading aloud. The narrative line carries subtleties that allow for multiple interpretations, showing how the fairy tale can be recreated without losing its musicality. The book stands out for its illustrations that feature a Black Cinderella, breaking with the Eurocentric pattern of traditional versions of the tale. This choice gives visibility to Black representation in children's literature, promoting positive identification for Black children, who see themselves occupying the role of protagonists in stories. At the same time, it opens space for all children to broaden their worldviews, understanding the importance of plurality and respect for differences.
Curumim Abaré imitating animals
Authors: Dulce Seabra and Sérgio Maciel | Illustrations: Claudia Ramos
Publisher: Cortez
The book stands out for its light, poetic narrative, accessible to children, inviting children and educators to play, listen, and move along with the character. More than just a game of imitating animals, the book incorporates indigenous words, enriching children's vocabulary and promoting respect for diversity. By presenting an indigenous boy as a positive protagonist, in harmony with nature and his own identity, the book breaks stereotypes and values traditional knowledge in a sensitive and respectful way. From a linguistic point of view, the work is especially rich for working with oral language, presenting various resources that favor the development of communicative competence in childhood.
It's the Creole drum!
Author: Sonia Rosa | Illustrations: Mariana Massarani
Project Publishing
This book celebrates the Afro-Brazilian cultural expression of Tambor de Crioula, originating from Maranhão. The text invites the reader into the circle, presenting elements such as the dancers, the drums, the punga (umbigada), the typical clothing, and the captivating musicality. The language is poetic and sonorous, with a rhythm marked by repetitions, rhymes, and alliteration, which encourages attentive listening and expands children's vocabulary. The words in the text evoke cultural and affective meanings, some probably unfamiliar to children, such as "coreira," "punga," and "axé." The vibrant and expressive illustrations enhance the book's poetic experience.
While lunch is being prepared
Author: Sonia Rosa | Illustrations: Bruna Assis Brasil
Publisher: Zit
The text is marked by traces of orality, with short sentences, interjections, and pauses that reproduce the rhythm of a child's thoughts. The repetition of the expression "While lunch isn't ready..." functions as a refrain, lending musicality and creating continuous anticipation in the reader. The vocabulary is affectionate, close to everyday language, especially that lived and felt in the children's world. The work offers a rich, affectionate, and empowering representation of Black people, both visually and symbolically.
Would you like to read a book with me?
Author: Lawrence Schimel | Illustrations: Thiago Lopes
Publisher: Callis
The work delicately explores themes such as the desire to share experiences, listening as a form of presence, and the power of reading as an emotional bond and a possibility for encounter, even among those who seemingly lack the time or means to read. The text's structure presents a repetitive sequence of questions and refusals, which encourages anticipation on the part of children and their engagement with the narrative. The sensitive and expressive illustrations contribute to the understanding of events and reinforce emotional aspects of the plot.
I want a hug!
Authors: Stela Barbieri and Fernando Vilela
Publisher: SM Editions
The book presents, in a poetic and affectionate way, the relationship of care, protection, and comfort that is established between babies and their caregivers. Throughout the pages, people from different cultures share space with animals of various species, showing that a cuddle is always welcome, no matter the time, place, or form. The illustrations richly represent the different ways of carrying, cradling, and comforting babies around the world. The arrangement of the images on the pages encourages exploration and dialogue with the text, allowing babies and children who do not yet read conventionally to follow and understand the narrative.
Saturday
Author: Oge Mora
Publisher: Vergara & Riba
The book fosters a dialogue between text and image from the very first pages. Besides being a sensitive work about affection, resilience, and the power of emotional bonds, it also stands out for its qualified and affirmative representation of Black people in children's literature. It is a book that engages multiple layers of reading – textual, visual, aesthetic, and symbolic – and offers children a rich, sensitive, and meaningful experience.
So much, so much
Author: Trish Cooke | Illustrations: Helen Oxenbury
Publisher: Ática
The text's structure is marked by the repetition of phrases and expressions such as "because he is very loved," which contributes to anticipation and memorization by children. Oral language is very present, in a tone reminiscent of affectionate family conversations. The illustrations intensely dialogue with the text and help build suspense around who the next visitor will be, in addition to visually translating the emotions and dynamism of the narrative. It also stands out for its sensitive and affirmative portrayal of Black representation in children's literature. The characters, who form an extended and loving family, are Black people, portrayed outside of stereotypes, in a narrative that celebrates care, love, and the small rituals of daily life.
You won't believe what I saw*
Author: Fran Matsumoto | Image processing: André Gimenes
Publisher: Brinque-Book
The language of the text is marked by features of children's speech: short, exclamatory sentences and interjections that express emotion, surprise, and spontaneity. The use of intensifying adjectives, such as "enormous," "terrifying," and "frightening," contributes to creating a dramatic and fun tone, characteristic of children's imagination. The images accompany each moment of the narrative, highlighting the facial expressions of the siblings, their reactions to the creature, and the final revelation. The visual representation of the mysterious creature is reminiscent of children's drawings, further connecting the reader to the age group for which the book is intended. This aesthetic choice reinforces the playful nature of the narrative and values children's imagination as a central element of the story.
Very Tired and Wide Awake*
Author: Susanne Strasser
Companhia das Letrinhas Publishing House
With a structure of repetition and accumulation, the text plays with the resistance to sleep—a common theme in childhood—creating an engaging rhythm that encourages children's active participation and anticipation of events. The illustrations are simple, expressive, and sequential, directly interacting with the text and allowing even children who do not yet read conventionally to follow and predict the narrative.