• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

A Field Trip Life

Books, places, and books that take you places

  • About
  • Books
    • Evie’s Field Day: More Than One Way to Win
    • Tess & The Waves
    • George The Giraffe Books
    • Raven’s Gift: A Feathered Flight of Faith
    • Nancy Bess Had a Dress
  • Author Visits
    • Invite Claire
    • Events
  • Field Notes
    • Book Reviews by Claire
    • Latest News in Your Inbox
  • Resources
  • Contact

B is for Brazil

April 2, 2016 Claire Annette Noland 20 Comments

B is for BrazilBrazil-iara-mermaid-stone-small

 

Brazil is home to a mermaid named Iara who, according to Tupi Indian mythology, is considered to be the “Mother of the Rivers.” She is beautiful with dark hair and green eyes. She uses her enchanting voice to lure men into the water where they drown. Iara is said to appear on the shores of lakes and rivers.

The Tupi legend says that Iara was a beautiful warrior whose brothers were very jealous of her because their father showered her with praise. They planned to kill her, but she heard about the plan and killed them first. Iara fled into the woods but her father chased her and threw her into the river as punishment. The fish in the river saved her and, because it was a night with a full moon, she turned into a mermaid.

She is often blamed for the deaths of people who drown or disappear. To this day, natives of the Amazon region fear her and do not venture near water when there is a full moon.

Doing research, I have discovered many sites about mermaids. It is wonderful to see the diversity of these legendary creatures and I plan to showcase as many cultures as I can.

I came across this Brazilian children’s book which I would love to add to my growing collection of mermaid books:

brazil Iara book

 

While searching images, I found the website, Rejected Princesses. The creator, shares the story of Iara with this accompanying illustration:

brazil princess

In the art notes, graphic artist Jason Porath, explains:

  • Since the myth is associated with the Tupi people, I made Iara look like them – the face and arm paint are from pictures I found, so hopefully whatever meaning they might have is accurate. I read about some specific Tupi warrior tattoos, but was unable to verify what they looked like, so I stayed away.
  • In the stories, her hair is often described as green because of the algae.
  • The setting is the actual river she’s reported to live in.
  • Her fish half is based off of the look of a Brazilian guppy. They have such beautiful fins!

If you have a moment, I suggest that you visit Jason’s blog to learn the fantastic history of many overlooked legendary women.

Have you ever heard of the mermaid Iara?

 

Filed Under: Blogging A to Z, Books, Mermaids, Places Tagged With: Blogging from A to Z, Brazilian Mermaid, Iara, Jason Porath, Rejected Princesses

Previous Post: « A is for Atargatis, Assyria, Aquamarine, and Aqualiscious
Next Post: C is for Columbia »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says

    April 2, 2016 at 11:19 am

    I’ve never heard of the Tupi people and found the backstory behind the artist’s approach to illustrating the book really fascinating.

    Cheers – Ellen | http://thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com/2016/04/b-is-for-boatyard-nancy-drew.html

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 3, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      I’m amazed by the diversity of mermaid lore. Thanks for joining me on this journey!

      Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 3, 2016 at 3:44 pm

      I am fascinated to learn about the diversity of the mermaid world!

      Reply
  2. Tarkabarka says

    April 2, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    I love the Rejected Princesses illustration 🙂 And I also love South American river myths. Another favorite of my is the boto, the pink dolphin that turns into a handsome man…. 🙂

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    The Multicolored Diary
    MopDog

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 3, 2016 at 3:45 pm

      I just learned about the pink dolphins. I’m going to look up the boto story. Thanks for the suggestion!

      Reply
  3. Trine Grillo says

    April 2, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    Very interesting! I will definitely visit the Rejected Princesses site.

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 3, 2016 at 3:46 pm

      There are great stories about so many women and legends that are not well know. It’s a great resource.

      Reply
  4. Shalini R says

    April 2, 2016 at 4:29 pm

    That’s a great story! Thanks for sharing, Claire! 🙂
    Happy AtoZ!

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 3, 2016 at 3:46 pm

      Thanks for joining me!

      Reply
  5. Pam says

    April 2, 2016 at 9:10 pm

    I, too, have done some limited mermaid research. It seems that many cultures enjoy mer-lore. My research included African ancestral mermaids so from Africa and many Caribbean Islands. Learning is so FUN!

    Thanks for being Awesome!

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 3, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      The diversity in he mermaid world is fascinating and I am looking forward to highlighting mermaid legends that aren’t well known. Thanks for swimming along with me on this journey.

      Reply
  6. JazzFeathers says

    April 3, 2016 at 8:03 am

    Never heard of this mermaid. But… gulp… my boss’s name is Lara. Sould I worry?

    @JazzFeathers
    The Old Shelter – Jazz Age Jazz

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 3, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      Ha! Maybe you should worry just a bit…

      Reply
  7. Sandra Cox (@Sandra_Cox) says

    April 3, 2016 at 5:42 pm

    this is a great one. I hadn’t heard of her before. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Claire Annette Noland says

      April 3, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      Hi Sandra, I’m learning about mermaids that I have never heard of, either. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Sandra Cox (@Sandra_Cox) says

    April 3, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    Hope my comments are coming through….

    Reply
  9. evelyne holingue says

    April 3, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    You’re embarking a challenging challenge! I’m amazed to read so much about mermaids. Great job, Claire.

    Reply
  10. Random Musings says

    April 3, 2016 at 11:36 pm

    Fantastic legend, I enjoy reading about other cultures story’s. I find mermaids particularly interesting because they appear in so many cultures in one form or another
    Debbie

    Reply
  11. Cynthia says

    April 4, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    I don’t know if I’ve heard of Lara by name, but I might’ve recalled hearing that there are mermaids who lead people to their deaths.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Reading Field Trip- Destination: Brazil says:
    August 28, 2016 at 4:20 am

    […] You might also like:                                                                      B is for Brazil […]

    Reply

Join the Discussion! Cancel reply

Please submit your comment with a real name.

Thanks for your feedback!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

Connect With Me!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Join the Fun, Subscribe to a Field Trip Life Monthly!

Subscribe

* indicates required

Review Policy

Click Here for Review Policy

Search

Categories

MCBookDay-white-21-300x234



claireannettenolandbooks

Author | teacher | Field Trip Planner
books that take you places
Raven’s Gift
Nancy Bess Had a Dress
Evie’s Field Day
Out and About w George series

Instagram post 18050455565169935 Instagram post 18050455565169935
Today’s the day! I’m the featured author on to Today’s the day! I’m the featured author on today’s Summer of Stories! Take a look and let me know what you think. The link is in my bio.

And then check out all the other great stories!

#summerofstories #floursackdresses #floursack #makedo #picturebookreadaloud 

@angelac.hawkins @gnomeroadpublishing @eringreneaux
I'm excited to share that the Crystal Kite Award v I'm excited to share that the Crystal Kite Award voting continues until July 18th for members of SCBWI. Our book, Nancy Bess Had a Dress, is in the Southwest Division (where illustrator @angelac.hawkins lives)

Members, you can vote for books in all of the regions.
Cast your vote at this link: 

https://www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite/CK8

I will be sharing Nancy Bess July 11th online for the Summer of Stories https://summerofstories.substack.com/

and I'll be doing story time and craft at the Three River Public Library on July 11th at 10:30

@gnomeroadpublishing @pbspree @eringreneaux @tularecountylib 
@scbwicencal #crystalkiteaward
Instagram post 18090291214629192 Instagram post 18090291214629192
We are enjoying a lovely summer’s day with CARL’S SLEEPY AFTERNOON thanks to our friends @laughingelephantbooks who sent us a copy signed by Alexandra Day and Carl!
Happy 40th Anniversary, Carl! You are such a good dog 🐾❤️
Carl has an opportunity to have a quiet and sleepy afternoon but does he rest? Not our Carl!
We’re on our 3rd generation loving this noble good dog and look forward to reading about his adventures for many more years!

#gooddogcarl #picturebookdogs #summerreading @mrernierecommends @christinabeeghly @laurennolandhajik @roxannenoland @gn705
Summer is the best time to beat the heat by taking Summer is the best time to beat the heat by taking your young ones to a museum. And I suggest, before you go, you share the delightful picture book, MousterWorks, written and illustrated by @angelac.hawkins
Young mice, Cosette and Pépin, join Grand-mère on a splendid adventure through a mouse hole into a museum. They gaze at brilliant interpretations of well-known painting by famous artists such as Claude Monet, Mary Cassatt, and Edward Banister. Cosette excitedly engages with the art while her brother, Pépin, searches for cheese in the art and eventually realizes that he can be an artist and paint his favorite things.

The final photo is 2.5 year old Alice at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. She was captivated by "Home Sweet Home" (after Seurat, Manet, and Pippin) painted by Wangari Mathenge

Art is for all ages.

To read my full review, visit my blog https://afieldtriplife.com/mousterworks-lets-go-to-a-museum/

@gnomeroadpublishing #mousterworks #artmuseumswithkids
@laurennolandhajik
Looking forward to simple unscheduled days! #july Looking forward to simple unscheduled days!
#july #afieldtriplife #summer
Look what we found featured at the library! #nancy Look what we found featured at the library! #nancybesshadadress 
Thank you @tularecountylib 
#summerreading #picturebooks #librarylove 
@angelac.hawkins @gnomeroadpublishing
Happy Summer! At the top of our summer "to do" lis Happy Summer! At the top of our summer "to do" list is visiting libraries where I love to see staff recommendations. SUMMER: A Solstice Story written by @kelseyegross and illustrated by @renataliwska is such a lovely picture book.
Owl, Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker, and Deer gather to celebrate the arrival of summer with its gifts of light and new life. The friends share sprouts, fresh water, flowers, and fruit each accompanied by special wishes for the little ones to shine, glow, shimmer, gleam, and blaze bright with solstice light. They spend the day with festivities as they dance, splash, hop, and savor a forest feast.
I shared this with a group of children the night before the Solstice so that they understood how special this date is. Then, we read it again as the sun set on the longest day of the year after partaking of many of the same activities done by the woodland animals. They really enjoyed the center pages that fold out.
This is a soft, gentle, and breathtakingly beautiful picture book that should be enjoyed all summer long. @pbspree #summersolstice #summerasolsticestory
We have been Good Dog Carl fans for almost 4 decad We have been Good Dog Carl fans for almost 4 decades so we are excited to celebrate 40 years of our favorite picture book series! I love the book mom and Carl’s adventures are the best!
So let’s raise a toast to Carl, the very good dog, and to  @laughingelephantbooks Here’s to many more wonderful years of ❤️ filled stories.
#wewon #gooddogcarl #afieldtriplife #picturebookdogs @laurennolandhajik @christinabeeghly @roxannenoland
Military families are made up of heroes, those who Military families are made up of heroes, those who leave home to serve and those who stay behind. It isn’t easy to find books featuring military families, so I was excited to discover when AS MUCH as the STARS: A Story of Love Across the. Miles – A Child’s Goodbye/ AS MUCH AS THE STARS: A Story of love across The Miles: A Mother’s Farewell. I love flip books because they are clever and provide a fun way to read two stories told from different perspectives. AS MUCH AS THE STARS does an exceptional job of showing the love and emotions surrounding a deployment and then a joyous return. In this authentic, well-written story, one half follows a young girl and her relationship with her military father. The other half features the viewpoint of that girl, now grown, whose son leaves home to serve. warm and colorful illustrations add to the text showing the love that is shared even when they are separated by great distances.
This is a wonderful book for all families and will help everyone understand the sacrifices that our brave service members make. I just wish this book had been available when I was teaching children in military families.
Written by Forrest Zenone, Skyler Zenone, and Tricia Stone-Shumaker
Illustrations by Penny Weber
@poppysadventures1 @pennyweberart @laurennolandhajik #militaryfamilies #asmuchasthestars
#mrernierecommends
FYI… sweet peas are blooming on Old Creek Road a FYI… sweet peas are blooming on Old Creek Road around Whale Rock Reservoir
The story of how they got there reminds me of Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.” 
Read how these delicate blossoms came to grace the highways in San Luis Obispo County: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/johnny-appleseed-sweet-peas-planted-120000196.html

Lupine, poppies, and wild mustard are also blooming.

#sweetpeas #jackcreekfarms #roadtrip #afieldtriplife #missrumphius
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2025 | A Field Trip Life | Claire Annette Noland | All Rights Reserved