Carnaval

by George Ancona

For weeks the people of the Brazilian town of Olinda have been sewing costumes, painting masks, and creating giant puppets--preparing for carnaval. Like Mardi Gras in New Orleans, carnaval is a five-day festival of parades, dancing, and singing. But unlike Mardi Gras, Olinda’s carnaval still celebrates the traditions and folklore of the people and the shared cultures--indigenous, European, and African--that make up Brazil. As generations have done each year, the people of Olinda and their visitors give themselves over to the music, dance, and joy of carnaval.

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1999

About the author

George Ancona was an author and photographer who has published more that one hundred books, some of them bilingual. He was known for his exquisite photography and close-up looks at a variety of cultural subjects. He lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Reviews

[Kaitlyn]

Title: Carnaval
Author:George Ancona
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Culture, Religion, Brazil
Opening line/sentence: The people of the city Olinda say that theirs is the best carnaval in Brazil.
Brief Book Summary: This book gives a brief history of the carnaval in Brazil. It focuses on the town of Olinda. It depicts the brightly colored costumes and the hard work the townspeople go through to make the big puppets.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Although Ancona spotlights the town of Olinda, all of Brazil celebrates carnaval, the annual five-day festival honoring its three main cultures: indigenous, European, and African. The text comprehensively explains the festival's traditions, but it's the color photos--of seamstresses, mask-makers, artists, musicians, dancers, and celebrants of all ages in full regalia--that bring this gaudy, glorious event to life.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Without following one person or family, as he usually does, Ancona visits Olinda in Brazil to show how one town celebrates Carnival. The five-day celebration takes place near the end of February and the three main cultures of Brazil: indigenous, European, and African, blend in songs and dances. Specific to Olinda is the creation of giant puppets made to resemble characters from myths and from popular culture, which are propelled by a single walker inside. People dance in "blocos" or neighborhoods, crazy and elaborate costumes are worn, and band or drum music fills the air. Ancona's photographs are pristine, bright, and close-up so that details of fabric, faces, and jewelry shine out. There is no glossary but Portuguese vocabulary is defined in the text and an author's note briefly explains how the holiday was imported from Europe and elaborated upon in the Americas. 1999, Harcourt Brace, $18.00 and $9.00. Ages 7 to 10.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: This book could be used for all ages despite the reviewers opinion. The reviewers highlight the same aspects I find important to the story which are that the author highlights
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The photographs in this book cover the full page inviting the reader to come along to the adventure that is carnaval in Brazil. Each picture is more colorful than the next. The students will not only be captured by the colors in the pictures but also because there are photos of people like them, children.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This would be a great end of the year activity. I would have my students create their own costumes and we could have a parade for the school showing off our brazilian costumes inspired by carnival in Olinda.

[Theresa Bartholomew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carnaval is celebrated in cities all over the world, but where did it originate?

This book details the history of Carnaval in the city of Olinda in northern Brazil. Large color photographs are used to enhance the detail and information provided in the book. Brazilian words are provided in italics. At the end of the book, further information is provided in a note from the author.

The book has a paragraph of text with pictures on each page. It describes in simple terms the different cultural traditions of Brazil. The book describes everything from designing costumes to making papier-mache giants to parade through the streets.

[Giulana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story tells about the origination of Carnaval. It's tales about the history of the celebration in Brazil. The book is filled with beautiful photographs of the celebration fill it's pages. The book is a great way to incorporate another culture's traditions through something as simple as photography. Teachers should have students list their own traditions and perhaps illustrate them or bring photographs to show them to the class.

Although, there are better Carnaval photography books out there, I feel that this book would be appropriate to have in one's elementary school class library.

[Lisa Overberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful photographs convey the excitement and revelry of carnaval as celebrated in Olinda, Brazil. Brazil's three main cultures - indigenous, European, and African - influence the songs and dances that the townspeople perform in this five-day festival. People of all ages join in the preparations, parades, and festivities that continue throughout the night. Young readers may be frightened by the masks and life-size puppet faces.

Genre: Multicultural, informational
Reading level: 5.6
Grade level: 3-6
Lexile: 910L

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carnaval is a colorful, photo-filled book about a traditional Brazilian festival.

It is noted on one page that some of the revelers dress as bears wearing chains to symbolize the Gypsy “dancing” bears of days of old. I was pleased to see that this cruel tradition has evolved into a much more positive one.

[Abby Gallier · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to teach children about how different cultures celebrate different holidays. It focuses on the city of Olinda, in Brazil, and includes many photographs along with information about what the people there do to prepare for and celebrate this holiday called Carnaval. Suitable for ages 5-8, this book is an easy read with interesting photographs to look at.

[Ashley Jacobsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books features the many preparations for carnaval in the the Brazilian town of Olinda. It is a five-day festival of parades, dancing, and singing. Olinda celebrates the traditions and folklore of the people and the shared cultures that make up Brazil.
Six Traits: voice
Guided Reading Level: F
Lex: 200L

[GoatRobe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick introduction to Carnaval in Olinda