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Along the Tapajós
A USBBY Outstanding International BookAn Amazon Best Book of 2019 in the Ages 6-8 categoryA Junior Library Guild SelectionA Capitol Choices Book
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 their pet 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.
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 their pet 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.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2014
470 people are currently reading
3143 people want to read
About the author
Fernando Vilela
76 books27 followersFernando Vilela nasceu em São Paulo, em 1973. É artista plástico, designer, escritor e ilustrador de livros, além de professor. Autor de 16 livros para crianças e jovens, ilustrou mais de 60 para editoras nacionais e estrangeiras, tendo recebido o Prêmio Jabuti 3 vezes. Como artista plástico, participou de mostras no Brasil e no exterior e seus trabalhos constam de importantes coleções de museus como o MoMA de Nova York, a Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo e o Museu Nacional de Belas Artes do Rio de Janeiro.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews
April 8, 2020
2.75 MEH STARS
I liked the premise of this but the illustrations and writing work just ok, my younger cousins might like the colours but the writing wouldn't engage them. Perhaps I was expecting too much but honestly the illustrations were rather lacklustre
Acquired via KU.
I liked the premise of this but the illustrations and writing work just ok, my younger cousins might like the colours but the writing wouldn't engage them. Perhaps I was expecting too much but honestly the illustrations were rather lacklustre
Acquired via KU.
April 28, 2020
Super cute
An adorable story about kids being kids while also being amazingly informative about a place in the world most of know very little about. With bright vibrant pictures it’ll be one my kids like to reread again and again.
An adorable story about kids being kids while also being amazingly informative about a place in the world most of know very little about. With bright vibrant pictures it’ll be one my kids like to reread again and again.
May 12, 2020
2.75 stars
Artwork was so-so but I loved the colors.
Story was cute, but still felt like it was missing something.
Still, I think little ones would enjoy the story (maybe up to 1st grade or so)
*Got from Amazon for free when this was part of their World Book Day this year*
Artwork was so-so but I loved the colors.
Story was cute, but still felt like it was missing something.
Still, I think little ones would enjoy the story (maybe up to 1st grade or so)
*Got from Amazon for free when this was part of their World Book Day this year*
September 1, 2019
Beautifully illustrated, lovely story
It's 5 am, I'm wide awake, and it's the first of the month. Kindle First, Prime First... by any other name, it's a free book - two this month!
Weary of current events, sorrows, politics and such, a children's book looks like a delightful, refreshing choice. And it is.
With vivid illustrations that show a world away from mine, this was so enjoyable that I read it once and went back to just look at the images again. It shows children - well, and not-so-children - another way of life. Moving with the seasons, travel by boat, and stilted houses.
Yet universal themes shine as well. Friendship, loyalty to pets, risk to save a loved one... And the omnipresent threat of parental consequences. I shudder at the thought.
It's 5 am, I'm wide awake, and it's the first of the month. Kindle First, Prime First... by any other name, it's a free book - two this month!
Weary of current events, sorrows, politics and such, a children's book looks like a delightful, refreshing choice. And it is.
With vivid illustrations that show a world away from mine, this was so enjoyable that I read it once and went back to just look at the images again. It shows children - well, and not-so-children - another way of life. Moving with the seasons, travel by boat, and stilted houses.
Yet universal themes shine as well. Friendship, loyalty to pets, risk to save a loved one... And the omnipresent threat of parental consequences. I shudder at the thought.
April 24, 2020
A Colorful Adventure!
Beautiful illustrations and interesting facts bring the rainforest to life in this daring rescue of the family pet. The young heros have so much personality in only a few short pages.
Beautiful illustrations and interesting facts bring the rainforest to life in this daring rescue of the family pet. The young heros have so much personality in only a few short pages.
October 27, 2019
Nice Illustrations
The book is disappointing her if it's clunky writing. It's really bad. The illustrations are good though and I would like to learn more of these Amazon people.
The book is disappointing her if it's clunky writing. It's really bad. The illustrations are good though and I would like to learn more of these Amazon people.
March 25, 2022
What a beautiful book!!
Written for children, an adult can learn much as well.
The Tapajos is a river in Brazil that floods in the 'winter'. Everyone takes their animals and families to higher ground until summer returns.
5 stars
The illustrations are awesome as well as the story.
Written for children, an adult can learn much as well.
The Tapajos is a river in Brazil that floods in the 'winter'. Everyone takes their animals and families to higher ground until summer returns.
5 stars
The illustrations are awesome as well as the story.
December 31, 2020
It was interesting to read a book set in the Amazon, and I had no idea these people moved twice a year around the floods. I would have liked more details and more of an in-depth view.
April 23, 2020
I read in English but this review is in Bahasa Indonesia
Dalam memeriahkan World Book Day atau Hari Buku Sedunia, Amazon Kindle memberikan akses gratis beberapa judul yang tidak hanya berpusat di Amerika Serikat. Salah satunya adalah buku anak ini. Berjudul Along the Tapajos, buku ini berkisah tentang bagaimana satu keluarga hidup di pesisir sungai. Ceritanya singkat, ilustrasinya lucu dan penuh warna, tetapi di balik itu ada informasi dan wawasan baru untukku. Misalnya saja mengenai spesies yang hidup di dalam sungai tersebut. Lalu juga dua musim yang dirasakan oleh para warga di sana.
Seselesainya cerita, Fernando Vilela menambahkan beberapa catatan di akhir buku. Seperti istilah asli dalam bahasa lokal untuk para penduduk di pesisir sungai. Bagiku yang belum tahu banyak tentang hal ini, merasa bahwa buku ini cukup menarik. Apalagi karena disediakan gratis oleh Amazon. Siappa yang tidak senang, kan? :)
Dalam memeriahkan World Book Day atau Hari Buku Sedunia, Amazon Kindle memberikan akses gratis beberapa judul yang tidak hanya berpusat di Amerika Serikat. Salah satunya adalah buku anak ini. Berjudul Along the Tapajos, buku ini berkisah tentang bagaimana satu keluarga hidup di pesisir sungai. Ceritanya singkat, ilustrasinya lucu dan penuh warna, tetapi di balik itu ada informasi dan wawasan baru untukku. Misalnya saja mengenai spesies yang hidup di dalam sungai tersebut. Lalu juga dua musim yang dirasakan oleh para warga di sana.
Seselesainya cerita, Fernando Vilela menambahkan beberapa catatan di akhir buku. Seperti istilah asli dalam bahasa lokal untuk para penduduk di pesisir sungai. Bagiku yang belum tahu banyak tentang hal ini, merasa bahwa buku ini cukup menarik. Apalagi karena disediakan gratis oleh Amazon. Siappa yang tidak senang, kan? :)
April 22, 2020
Very Cool!
Vivid illustrations and an adventurous story—what more do you need? Kids should get into this for sure. Lots of action. (Available as a free download from Amazon.)
Vivid illustrations and an adventurous story—what more do you need? Kids should get into this for sure. Lots of action. (Available as a free download from Amazon.)
February 24, 2020
I chose this book from Amazon First Reads.
The illustrations are beautiful and do a lot of the story-telling, which is great for children. There's lots of information missing from the text, which made me wonder about why things were happening. I don't know anything about the Riverside Populations in Brazil, so a little more to fill me in would've been nice, but the illustrations helped. It's a nice introduction to a fascinating and completely unknown (to me) lifestyle. The translation from the Portuguese is a bit clunky.
The illustrations are beautiful and do a lot of the story-telling, which is great for children. There's lots of information missing from the text, which made me wonder about why things were happening. I don't know anything about the Riverside Populations in Brazil, so a little more to fill me in would've been nice, but the illustrations helped. It's a nice introduction to a fascinating and completely unknown (to me) lifestyle. The translation from the Portuguese is a bit clunky.
April 21, 2020
I didn't like the American writing style - it didn't seem to suit the children living alongside the Tapajós River. Also, I thought the story ended too abruptly. I did, however, enjoy the illustrations.
April 23, 2020
Tapajós River
This story happened in the Tapajós River in Brazil. The village had to flee to safety due to upcoming storm. They took everything they can with them except they forgot one important thing, Titi their pet tortoise. They had to come back for him and encountered an Anaconda. I gave it a 5 because I liked the illustrations and it reminded me of the movie starring Jennifer Lopez, Anaconda. I got this book for as part of my Amazon Prime membership and World Book Day nine free Kindle books from Amazon Crossing.
This story happened in the Tapajós River in Brazil. The village had to flee to safety due to upcoming storm. They took everything they can with them except they forgot one important thing, Titi their pet tortoise. They had to come back for him and encountered an Anaconda. I gave it a 5 because I liked the illustrations and it reminded me of the movie starring Jennifer Lopez, Anaconda. I got this book for as part of my Amazon Prime membership and World Book Day nine free Kindle books from Amazon Crossing.
January 10, 2023
Vibrant illustrations accompany a story about a brother and sister, part of the Riverside Population in Brazil, who enjoy imagining the various animals who live in the water near their home, and relate how the seasons necessitate changes to their daily lives.
October 3, 2022
This is a picture book for young children which I felt was short but very engaging for a child. The illustrations and story are very interesting and could lead to much discussion. It teaches the child about another part of the world where life looks much different than at home.
December 30, 2021
A children's picture book, free on World Book Day from Amazon Crossing. This is a delightful look at life along a river in the Amazon rainforest. I would give a gold star for the illustrations - bright and colorful and full of amazing detail. The story is all too short, and it ends rather abruptly. Still there is a surprising amount of info to be gleaned about another culture in this simple tale.
Description: 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, 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.
Description: 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, 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.
November 23, 2020
An extremely beautiful book as well as a good look at a natural cycle and how the population handles it in Brazil. This is the story of the rainy season along the Tapajos River in the Amazon Rain Forest of Brazil. As the rainy season arrives the family of Cana and Inae must move as they do every year, but this year the family forgot their pet tortoise. This is the basic narrative of the story, but what is shown in the illustrations done in brilliant bold colors is the lushness of the jungle and the animals and how the residents live their lives within this naturally occurring cycle each year.
There are six pages illustrating the rain coming down and this depiction of the rain and the hue of color used to illustrate it is the most realistic in a picture book that I have seen. And I do look at a number of picture books about rain, rivers, and water. This is the first time ever I felt like this is the real look of rain and landscape combined.
For some reason I read the brief two pages of extended information prior to reading the story and doing that made me enjoy the story so much more. You may want to consider doing that.
There are six pages illustrating the rain coming down and this depiction of the rain and the hue of color used to illustrate it is the most realistic in a picture book that I have seen. And I do look at a number of picture books about rain, rivers, and water. This is the first time ever I felt like this is the real look of rain and landscape combined.
For some reason I read the brief two pages of extended information prior to reading the story and doing that made me enjoy the story so much more. You may want to consider doing that.
October 9, 2024
I found Along the Tapajos by Fernando Vilela through the Database of Award-Winning Children’s Literature, and I can see why it’s earned awards like the USBBY Outstanding International Book and Amazon’s Best Book of 2019 for kids ages 6-8. I read a hardcover copy borrowed from my library, and I’m glad I did. The textures and colors in the illustrations that remind me of Brazil's own Carnival, which I imagine could lose some of their charm in digital format, really bring Cauã’s world to life in a way that makes you feel like you are there.
The story follows Cauã, a young boy living in a small, riverside village in Brazil. His village is built on stilts to handle the Tapajos River’s annual flooding, and everyone relies on boats to get around. When the waters rise, Cauã’s family and other villagers migrate into the rainforest for safety. This year, though, Cauã realizes they left behind their tortoise, Titi. This sets off a perilous and sweet journey back to the village to save him. While the shift from Cauã’s day-to-day life to the urgency of rescuing Titi felt a little sudden, the story’s heart shines through. The dialogue, including little “speech bubbles” with images in them, really brings out the personalities of Cauã and his sister Zé, making their sibling bond come to life!
This book would be a great instructional tool for teaching themes around home, community, and resilience. It would be a great text as part of a lesson where students explore different ways people adapt to their environment, using Cauã’s family’s migration to discuss how others across the world respond to seasonal or environmental changes. After reading, students could create their own visual stories about their own homes or about a challenge they’ve experienced in their daily lives, connecting the concept of “home” to their personal experiences. This story also allows for cultural exploration of Brazilian life along the Tapajos River, followed by comparing and contrasting it with their own communities.
Along the Tapajos is a visually beautiful picture book with a story that includes insight into a culture that many are unlikely to know much about that I strongly recommend!
The story follows Cauã, a young boy living in a small, riverside village in Brazil. His village is built on stilts to handle the Tapajos River’s annual flooding, and everyone relies on boats to get around. When the waters rise, Cauã’s family and other villagers migrate into the rainforest for safety. This year, though, Cauã realizes they left behind their tortoise, Titi. This sets off a perilous and sweet journey back to the village to save him. While the shift from Cauã’s day-to-day life to the urgency of rescuing Titi felt a little sudden, the story’s heart shines through. The dialogue, including little “speech bubbles” with images in them, really brings out the personalities of Cauã and his sister Zé, making their sibling bond come to life!
This book would be a great instructional tool for teaching themes around home, community, and resilience. It would be a great text as part of a lesson where students explore different ways people adapt to their environment, using Cauã’s family’s migration to discuss how others across the world respond to seasonal or environmental changes. After reading, students could create their own visual stories about their own homes or about a challenge they’ve experienced in their daily lives, connecting the concept of “home” to their personal experiences. This story also allows for cultural exploration of Brazilian life along the Tapajos River, followed by comparing and contrasting it with their own communities.
Along the Tapajos is a visually beautiful picture book with a story that includes insight into a culture that many are unlikely to know much about that I strongly recommend!
March 27, 2020
This was a fun, colorful book with distinctive illustrations and a more distinctive narrative. Many picture books offer a symmetric narrative--children leave home, they return. They go on an adventure, they return. Yet here, the brother and sister are forced to evacuate their home until flooding season is over. When they realize that they've forgotten their beloved pet tortoise back at their old house, they go on an adventure to rescue him. After their mission is complete, they're on their way home, they realize their parents will likely be upset with them, and the story ends! It's unlike any other picturebook from the United States, and with good cause, considering it's Brazilian!
It's a great look at another culture and their storytelling preferences and narrative, and a fantastic look at a different way of life and the struggles in front of them. Great for grades 1-3!
Review cross-listed here!
It's a great look at another culture and their storytelling preferences and narrative, and a fantastic look at a different way of life and the struggles in front of them. Great for grades 1-3!
Review cross-listed here!
May 5, 2020
I found this book stashed away in my Kindle and thought to myself, "Why not? It's been a while since I last read a children's book." Then I was pleasantly surprised. I like to think that in another part of the world, people who live in the Tapajós River would, in the heavy rainy season they call "winter", move away from their houses as the river rises at least 16 feet in the never-ending rain and, in the unbelievably dry season they call "summer", travel by foot in the river now deprived of water.
Illustrations were simple yet great although the narration was lackluster and unexciting.
Illustrations were simple yet great although the narration was lackluster and unexciting.
September 2, 2019
Beautiful art and introduction to ither cultures
I received this book as part of Amazon's first reads and have never been so pleasantly surprised with my choice to write a review. The illustrations are beautiful and I love that it is a book that introduces childrens and adults alike to havs a glimpse into life in a different part of the world. I shouldve known it existed but was was so stunned and utterly impressed how much this hot colorful world with dangerous animals came to life for me on the pages. Thank you so much!
I received this book as part of Amazon's first reads and have never been so pleasantly surprised with my choice to write a review. The illustrations are beautiful and I love that it is a book that introduces childrens and adults alike to havs a glimpse into life in a different part of the world. I shouldve known it existed but was was so stunned and utterly impressed how much this hot colorful world with dangerous animals came to life for me on the pages. Thank you so much!
April 20, 2020
Got this book for free from Amazon World Book Day deal 2020.
This book tells a story of people living in the Amazon that have to move every rainy season because the river rises up to 5 m.
This children's book has a really nice visual storytelling. The artstyle is unique and fit the theme so well. The artist also know how to tell the story by paneling design.
Unfortunately, the story (text) itself is nothing special. Though I haven't read children's book in a long time so I can't really tell.
This book tells a story of people living in the Amazon that have to move every rainy season because the river rises up to 5 m.
This children's book has a really nice visual storytelling. The artstyle is unique and fit the theme so well. The artist also know how to tell the story by paneling design.
Unfortunately, the story (text) itself is nothing special. Though I haven't read children's book in a long time so I can't really tell.
June 21, 2021
I mostly loved this story, and the glimpse into a lifestyle I had known nothing about!
It didn’t really need a plot, as it was working as just a slow, descriptive narrative , so the introduction of about half a plot at the end made it feel uneven to me. Also, mild concerns that the children’s disobedience is presented only as something with a good outcome.
With those caveats though, I recommend it for all ages!
It didn’t really need a plot, as it was working as just a slow, descriptive narrative , so the introduction of about half a plot at the end made it feel uneven to me. Also, mild concerns that the children’s disobedience is presented only as something with a good outcome.
With those caveats though, I recommend it for all ages!
October 1, 2022
Lovely illustrations, especially of the village along the river.
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Read as part of my new "Settle back Sunday (or Saturday)" initiative where I take advantage of access to children's books I can borrow and give back. When I was a kid, the weekly trips to our town library were some of the few things I loved about my childhood. And the pile of books mom would bring home, from picture books to chapter books, were the things that got me through many a terrible time.
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Read as part of my new "Settle back Sunday (or Saturday)" initiative where I take advantage of access to children's books I can borrow and give back. When I was a kid, the weekly trips to our town library were some of the few things I loved about my childhood. And the pile of books mom would bring home, from picture books to chapter books, were the things that got me through many a terrible time.
October 4, 2019
I enjoyed this story about persons living along the Tapajós River system who must move when the rainy season arrives each winter. In this story, they forget their pet turtle, and the children sneak out one night to retrieve the turtle from the now flooded village. They encounter an anaconda. The illustrations were okay but not outstanding. (3.5 stars)
April 18, 2020
A quick funny reading with cute illustrations and a great color palette.
Along the Tapajós delivers a short story that give us a hint of how it would be to live near the river. And, of course, a mini-wiki in the last page.
I do recommend it to read with your kids.
Right now you con download the book for free on Amazon Kindle
Along the Tapajós delivers a short story that give us a hint of how it would be to live near the river. And, of course, a mini-wiki in the last page.
I do recommend it to read with your kids.
January 5, 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.
September 30, 2019
I read this book for the ATY 2019 Reading Challenge Week 23: Something Old
The Tapajos is a tributary of the Amazon River. This children's story tells what it is like to live along a river that is relatively dry in the summer. In the winter it rises 16 feet due to the constant rainfall. What happens to the family and the village in the winter? You might be surprised.
The Tapajos is a tributary of the Amazon River. This children's story tells what it is like to live along a river that is relatively dry in the summer. In the winter it rises 16 feet due to the constant rainfall. What happens to the family and the village in the winter? You might be surprised.
April 24, 2020
Available now on Kindle Unlimitted. Lovely block-print illustrations, vibrantly colored.
I read on Kindle in landscape mode which was better for both reading and looking at the pictures than portrait mode.
I read on Kindle in landscape mode which was better for both reading and looking at the pictures than portrait mode.
December 27, 2020
This book was on an old Kindle and I have no idea why I got it. It was cute though and I enjoyed the artwork as well as the story. I can't imagine living some place where you had to travel by boat everywhere you went. I wish the text was larger. I had to get out some reading glasses to be able to see it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 363 reviews