Along the Tapajos

Description

Age range 3 to 6 Caua and Inae are a brother and sister who live in a small community along the Tapajos River in Brazil. Here, the homes are on stilts and everyone travels around by boat - even to school! When the rainy season comes, they must leave their village and relocate to higher ground for a while. But after moving this year, Caua and Inae realise they've left behind something important: their pet tortoise, Titi! Unlike turtles, tortoises can't swim, and Caua and Inae are really worried. So the pair sneaks back at night on a journey along the river to rescue him. Will they be able to save Titi?

Fernando Vilela is an award-winning author and illustrator from Brazil. Published in Brazil under the title Tapajos, this book was inspired by one of his trips to the Amazon rainforest. He has received many awards for his books, and he has exhibited his artwork at home and abroad, including at the MoMA in New York and the Pinacoteca of the State of Sao Paulo. For his picture books, he has received five Jabuti awards (Brazil) and the New Horizons Honorable Mention of the Bologna Ragazzi International Award. He is also a plastics artist, and he teaches courses, lectures, and workshops on art and illustration. Learn more about him online at www.fernandovilela.com.br.

An Amazon Best Book of the Month: Ages 6-8 "The vibrant colors in Vilela's illustrations and the expressive faces of Caua and Inae bring lightheartedness to their dangerous journey and the cyclical living it prescribes. A riveting journey." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "[A]ward-winning Brazilian author and illustrator Vilela brings to life the lush setting of the story. This beautiful book belongs in all picture book collections, specially given the dearth of books about the inhabitants of the Amazon region." -School Library Journal (starred review) "Children's picture book artwork does not get much better than what Fernando Vilela has created with his intimate view of river life in the Amazon Rainforest. Along the Tapajos takes readers out of their surroundings and transports them to another world where kids do normal kid things but in an uncommon and unusual setting. Along the Tapajos is an exciting book with an intriguing lifestyle story, filled with stunning, vibrant, and unique illustrations." -New York Journal of Books "This is one of those engaging titles that offers a glimpse of a location new to most American readers. More translations like this one, please!" -Fuse #8 Production "[A] cheerful introduction to a way of life unfamiliar to most kids, who will enjoy the river life, houses on stilts, and ambient wildlife." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books