I’m excited today my friend Ana’s new book Saudade: Our Longing for Brazil is in the world.
The book has a broad appeal as this emotion is universal whether we’ve called it Saudade or not.
Saudade: Our Longing for Brazil is illustrated by André Ceolin and published by Neal Porter Books/Holiday House. I read a review copy and it’s lovely.
Saudade is a Portuguese and Galician word that doesn’t really have a direct translation in English. We’ve all felt it. As the book’s summary says, If your heart has ever ached remembering a place or a person, a smell or a taste, then you’ve felt saudade.
This is a great book for those who’ve moved away from family and their home — maybe it’s to a different state or country. You may be like the mom and young girl in SAUDADE who have memories of a different home or visits with family.
André Ceolin’s artwork is perfect as it is realistic with a touch of whimsy as he blends memories with present day.
While a book birthday is always special for an author, Ana received great news as her picture book Lia & Luís: Puzzled! Written by Ana Crespo and illustrated by Giovana Medeiros (Charlesbridge) won the Colorado Book Award for children’s literature.
Hopefully you can find a a copy of SAUDADE at your library or bookstore. It’s a quiet book that’s packed with emotion and memories that pull at your heartstrings as both children and adults will think of home and family wherever that is.