Cauã and Inaê are a brother and sister who live in a small community along the Tapajós 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, Cauã and Inaê realize they’ve left behind something important: their pet tortoise, … tortoise, Titi! Unlike turtles, tortoises can’t swim, and Cauã and Inaê 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?
This picture book, first published in Brazil, offers kids a unique look into the lives of children who live along Brazil’s beautiful Tapajós River.
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Its World Book Week on Amazon, and this is one of the freebies! I love the bright colors! This is a neat look into Brazil’s river dwelling population!
Kudos to the writer and illustrator of this book. The pages pop with beautiful artwork and a minimalist color scheme that screams tropical. I’m so glad this book was translated into English so I could have a chance to discover it. Kudos to the translator.
This is such a sweet story of a life and culture very different from Western society and a moderate climate. I love how the images pull you into a world very different from what most 1st-world people know, but the story describes how this different world is quite similar to any other modern society, with families, pets, schools, and fun.
When the family moves in preparation for the wet winter, the kids go on an adventure to save a friend.
It’s difficult to not say too much about this book. I don’t want to spoil it and I don’t want to over hype the beautiful simplicity. This is definitely one of my new favorite kid’s books. A great story with the bonus of diversity.
Highly recommended!
Read 1.4.2021
This is a fun way for kids to “visit” a new country and learn a little bit about it. The story is fun and the illustrations are fantastic. I loved this glimpse back into a country I loved and spent time in [and boy is winter/rainy season exactly like that – SO much rain and SO humid!!!]. Just fantastic.
I love this book! Along the Tapajós is a book that give kids a glimpse into other cultures without being boring! Children know the difference between a book that is filled with facts and one that is fun with facts sprinkled throughout. I’ll bet you can guess which ones most kids like best. If this book had been available when I had little ones, this would have been on our shelves. And, it would have been one I would enjoy reading to them.
Along the Tapajós introduced me to a river I’d never heard of in my life! When I think of rivers in Brazil, I think of the Amazon. And, when I think about the Amazon River, I think alligators and rainforests. I don’t think about the people who live along the river or how different their lifestyle is from mine. Sure, once in awhile I’ll see something on the news that reminds me that people actually live where they don’t have it easy, but I live where I have it easier than over 90% of the world. We forget how blessed we are!
When a picture book reminds me how easy my life is compared to others’, that is a great picture book. That’s not even the point of Along the Tapajós; however, it is something we’ve got to share with our children. Having to move every few months because of flooding is not my idea of fun. Sending my kids to school on a boat down a river filled with alligators sends shivers down my spine. But, that is life for this culture! I am sure they think about how blessed they are to be able to have a school to send their children to. Okay, I’m getting off of my soap box now.
I highly recommend Along the Tapajós. Read it with your kids, or buy a copy for a grade school in your area. The book has extra facts about the Tapajós River which you can share with your kids if they want to know more. There is another lesson to be learned from this book as well…don’t sneak away from your parents! But it’s secondary to the lesson our kids need to learn: they are so fortunate to live where they do! Head to Amazon, and get a copy today!