A Reading Field Trip- Destination: Brazil

Cássio’s Day: From Dawn to Dusk in a Brazilian Village by Maria de Fatima Campos (author and photographer)
A Child’s Day Series
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books 2010
kindergarten – 3rd grade

Cassio is a six year old boy who lives with his family in Brazil. This book is a photographic diary of a typical day in his life. We learn about his family, their religious traditions, home life, school, friends, transportation, meals and so much more. I shared this book with kindergartners who enjoyed comparing their lives with the lives of Cassio, his family, and friends. The  children realized that although they live in a different place and speak a English rather than Portuguese, there is much that they have in common with Brazilian children.

While researching Cassio’s Day, I read about the author/photographer, Maria de Fatima Campos, who was born in Brazil and currently lives in London. She traveled to Brazil with  her daughter, Victoria, and wrote a book about their experiences.

Victoria Goes to Brazil by Maria de Fatima Campos
Children Return to Their Roots Series
Francis Lincoln Children’s Books (2009)
Kindergarten – 4th grade

This charming book was written as a first person photo journal about Victoria’s time in Brazil. Readers learn about the food, clothing, language, and customs of Brazil through Victoria’s experiences. The book includes a visit to a coffee plantation, a religious procession, and even a children’s shelter which opens the door to many discussions. One of the most important aspects of this book is that, except for an explanatory author’s note in the back, the text does not mention that Victoria has Downs Syndrome. She is shown as a typical girl who is excited about traveling and learning new things.

B is for Brazil  by Maria de Fatima Campos (author and photographer)
World Alphabet Series
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books 2004
Kindergarten – 3rd grade

This book takes readers on an alphabetical trip through Brazil from the Amazon Rain Forest to Zebu cattle. The author covers a wide range of topics in a very child friendly way. She shares the environment, cultural and ethnic diversity, food, traditions, and much more. Her author’s notes cover a number of the problems facing Brazil as well as the things that make Brazil such a fascinating county.

Each of these books celebrate the diversity of the people and places of Brazil. Unfortunately, it seems these books are now out-of- print so you will need to find them in your library.

To read more about photographer Maria de Fatima Campos and her daughter, Victoria, click here.

How do you share the diversity of people and places with your children?