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From My Window
What do you see from your window? This #OwnVoices picture book from Brazil offers a first-hand view of what children growing up in the favelas of Rio de Janiero see everyday. A vibrant and diverse celebration of urban community living, brought to life by unique, colorful illustrations that juxtapose brick buildings with lush jungle plants.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
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149 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
November 22, 2020
Author Otávio Júnior describes and illustrator Vanina Starkoff depicts all the things one sees from a window in a Brazilian district called a favela. It's a beautiful picture of people going to school, people patching broken roofs, the sun coming up, people playing soccer, friends playing games.
March 31, 2020
Visit a beautiful favela district in Brazil via this bright picture book. A favela is an area in Brazil that is not managed by the government but by the people who live there. Because of this, water and electricity can be difficult to access. From their high vantage point of a window, the narrator can see throughout their favela. They see roofs and windows and people. Sometimes the people are using water to get cooler. At night the lights dim that fireflies appear on the paths. Grey days are brightened with occasional rainbows. Sometimes the air is full of music and poetry, other times the sounds of sadness come. Rain falls, children head to school, and the favela bustles with activity.
Originally published in Brazil, Junior writes of his own home in a favela in this picture book. He plays with themes of dreams and treasure, but also keeps the book firmly grounded in reality. His clear vision of both joy and sadness in the crowded and busy neighborhood keeps the book from being too light, grounding it in the occasional gray day and leaking roofs.
Starkoff’s illustrations are done in acrylic using tropical colors of bright yellows, pinks, greens and blues. The illustrations show so many different types of people, all enjoying the neighborhood together. The images that pull back and show the full favela are incredibly detailed and worth looking at closely.
A dynamic look at a unique type of Brazilian community. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Originally published in Brazil, Junior writes of his own home in a favela in this picture book. He plays with themes of dreams and treasure, but also keeps the book firmly grounded in reality. His clear vision of both joy and sadness in the crowded and busy neighborhood keeps the book from being too light, grounding it in the occasional gray day and leaking roofs.
Starkoff’s illustrations are done in acrylic using tropical colors of bright yellows, pinks, greens and blues. The illustrations show so many different types of people, all enjoying the neighborhood together. The images that pull back and show the full favela are incredibly detailed and worth looking at closely.
A dynamic look at a unique type of Brazilian community. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
March 5, 2020
People, water, a rainbow found in the pages of a book, words that are shared and turn into poetry and music- These are just some of the remarkable scenes that are magnified in this bold, colorful book. The vibrant Favela communities of Brazil are highlighted in a way that celebrates all that makes us human, including friendship, sports, labor, and dreams. My favorite treats were the colorful books tucked into the illustrations on each page.
April 10, 2020
A vibrant, lushly illustrated book from Brazil offering a first-hand view of what children growing up in the favelas of Rio de Janiero see everyday.
April 18, 2020
A boy looks out his window in his Brazilian neighborhood and describes what he sees; his neighbors, fireflies at night, a rainbow, the sunrise. He and his friends play a telephone game, fly kites, play soccer, sing funk music, and carry their books to school.
This book was okay. I liked the story and the rich Brazilian culture, but I did not like the art style. It's too busy and the people look weird. Their anatomy is distorted in strange ways, and they have very awkward poses in each scene. Each scene has a background full of color and details that overwhelm the page. My eye couldn't rest on any one thing. A lot of the background details look like they are copy and pasted onto the scene. Every bird looks the same as the other birds, just copy and pasted and zoomed to be larger or smaller. On EVERY page.
The text is sweet and full of the richness of Brazilian life. I like how simply the narrator describes the neighborhood and the people. It's this appreciation for the little things that makes this book special. I just really disliked the art style.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
This book was okay. I liked the story and the rich Brazilian culture, but I did not like the art style. It's too busy and the people look weird. Their anatomy is distorted in strange ways, and they have very awkward poses in each scene. Each scene has a background full of color and details that overwhelm the page. My eye couldn't rest on any one thing. A lot of the background details look like they are copy and pasted onto the scene. Every bird looks the same as the other birds, just copy and pasted and zoomed to be larger or smaller. On EVERY page.
The text is sweet and full of the richness of Brazilian life. I like how simply the narrator describes the neighborhood and the people. It's this appreciation for the little things that makes this book special. I just really disliked the art style.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
January 25, 2021
From My Window
(children's book, realistic fiction, community, family, home, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, BIPOC)
From My Window by Otávio Júnior is a story told from the point-of-view of the narrator, a boy who lives in one of Rio de Janeiro's favelas. The narrator looks out of his window and describes what he sees. Yes, not everything he sees is pretty... but he sees his family, his friends, his neighbors, the ocean, the park where he and his friends play soccer, etc. Not everything is perfect, but it's his home! <3
If you are a teacher From my Window would be a good book for your language arts lessons about point of view and your social studies lessons about communities around the world.
Best for elementary school students. Whole group, small group, and independent reading.
Kelly Wilson
Teacher/Children's Book Blogger
Kelly's Classroom Online
www.kellysclassroomonline.com
(children's book, realistic fiction, community, family, home, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, BIPOC)
From My Window by Otávio Júnior is a story told from the point-of-view of the narrator, a boy who lives in one of Rio de Janeiro's favelas. The narrator looks out of his window and describes what he sees. Yes, not everything he sees is pretty... but he sees his family, his friends, his neighbors, the ocean, the park where he and his friends play soccer, etc. Not everything is perfect, but it's his home! <3
If you are a teacher From my Window would be a good book for your language arts lessons about point of view and your social studies lessons about communities around the world.
Best for elementary school students. Whole group, small group, and independent reading.
Kelly Wilson
Teacher/Children's Book Blogger
Kelly's Classroom Online
www.kellysclassroomonline.com
November 10, 2023
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Not just a story of a favela. Could also be a story of someone trapped by the pandemic or by a war (for part of the book) or by a disability. If I were a teacher, at any level, I would definitely use this, and I do recommend it for parents & other educators. Includes back matter.
Personally, it didn't quite charm. Sorry.
Not just a story of a favela. Could also be a story of someone trapped by the pandemic or by a war (for part of the book) or by a disability. If I were a teacher, at any level, I would definitely use this, and I do recommend it for parents & other educators. Includes back matter.
Personally, it didn't quite charm. Sorry.
September 30, 2025
This vibrant picture books offers a cultural perspective of a child’s view from their window. This perspective includes poetic snapshots of everyday Brazilian life and its community as the child witness neighborhood activities and nature. The story relies on the beautiful artistic depictions to explore the rich culture of Brazil. This is a great book for elementary students and a good choice to include in classrooms to introduce students to diverse ways of life.
May 7, 2021
A vibrant peek in the favelas of Brazil....
November 21, 2021
This book was originally published in 2019 and is a fiction book. It is a story that takes place in Brazil and talks about one child's life in a Favela. I think it would be a good book to read to a class and learn different vocabulary and open a conversation about the views from our windows.
August 16, 2020
A first hand look at a favela in Brazil. Brightly colored illustrations pull the reader in as the narrator shares what they see from the window. So much life surrounds them. A true window into life in this part of Brazil.
August 10, 2020
This book is beautifully illustrated and honors the diversity of the people you can see right outside your window and who share your community. Written in a consistent format, Otávio Júnior allows the reader to write their own set of observations from their own windows into their communities.
January 28, 2021
From My Window is a timely title from Barefoot Books, an independent children's publisher that produces "...beautiful books that celebrate diversity, spark curiosity and capture children's imaginations." The book is based on the author's childhood growing up in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. "A favela is a special kind of district in Brazil." Instead of the government, "…the people who live in the favelas are in charge of them."
The boy is confined to his apartment, much like many children have been during the pandemic. The favela is well populated as the boy exclaims, "I see people everywhere!" He describes the day-to-day life that he sees out of his window. The art and text weave together to create a vivid tapestry of life in the neighborhood.
The boy connects with his neighborhood friends via a telephone game, which "…turns into funk, turns into rhyme, turns into poetry." The illustrations on this page depict the varied arts of Brazil. The boy watches the night descends with "…many lights and fireflies flashing in the darkening paths" and the rising of the sun. There are rainstorms and rainbows. And he experiences sadness when he cannot go outside or go to school with his friends, a situation children can identify with after living through 2020. He uses his imagination to cheer himself up – picturing crowds of people, a football (soccer) game in the packed stadium nearby, and others "…searching for their treasures."
The artwork by Vanina Starkoff is what makes the Brazilian culture in this favela come alive. The artist includes myriads of colorful details: bright colors where appropriate, subdued colors when it is raining or turning into night. The text is sparse, allowing plenty of room for beautiful double-paged displays of the favela and its inhabitants. Take a stroll through this book to take in the sights and sounds of the author's boyhood favela. Highly recommended!
The boy is confined to his apartment, much like many children have been during the pandemic. The favela is well populated as the boy exclaims, "I see people everywhere!" He describes the day-to-day life that he sees out of his window. The art and text weave together to create a vivid tapestry of life in the neighborhood.
The boy connects with his neighborhood friends via a telephone game, which "…turns into funk, turns into rhyme, turns into poetry." The illustrations on this page depict the varied arts of Brazil. The boy watches the night descends with "…many lights and fireflies flashing in the darkening paths" and the rising of the sun. There are rainstorms and rainbows. And he experiences sadness when he cannot go outside or go to school with his friends, a situation children can identify with after living through 2020. He uses his imagination to cheer himself up – picturing crowds of people, a football (soccer) game in the packed stadium nearby, and others "…searching for their treasures."
The artwork by Vanina Starkoff is what makes the Brazilian culture in this favela come alive. The artist includes myriads of colorful details: bright colors where appropriate, subdued colors when it is raining or turning into night. The text is sparse, allowing plenty of room for beautiful double-paged displays of the favela and its inhabitants. Take a stroll through this book to take in the sights and sounds of the author's boyhood favela. Highly recommended!
October 18, 2021
"From My Window" by Otávio Júnior is a first-hand, upbeat account of what a young boy sees every day through his window from his apartment home in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. He is described as a typical child; going to school, playing sports, and using his imagination to create his own happiness. The nameless narrator interweaves his experiences of living in a favela district, a region that is managed by community members rather than the government. Through lyrics like text and colorful illustrations, the author shows a tightly knit community working together in order to thrive as a whole. Due to the lack of government support, utilities and resources such as electricity and running water are not easily accessible. Neighbors rely on one another and share in each other’s strengths, joys, traditions, and sorrows.
Cited on USBBY, "From My Window" is a great example of how every community differs from one another. Children in the primary grades will be able to connect to the narrator’s enthusiasm in playing with his friends, seeing fireflies and rainbows, and daydreaming of the ocean. When violence erupts, he is forced to stay inside and cannot attend school, something most kids can relate to due to the pandemic. The author does a nice job describing life as it is and showing readers the importance of seeing hope in every situation. The sentences are simple, and the ending invites the readers to discuss their own communities. The illustrations are large and colorful, but I personally found them to be a bit distracting with so much happening in each image. Winner of the 2020 Outstanding International Books Award, the translated copy of this title can be found on Youtube and Amazon. This story fits well with Dr. Bishop’s windows and mirrors since it allows children to see themselves in the young boy, and also experience what life is like in communities around the world.
Cited on USBBY, "From My Window" is a great example of how every community differs from one another. Children in the primary grades will be able to connect to the narrator’s enthusiasm in playing with his friends, seeing fireflies and rainbows, and daydreaming of the ocean. When violence erupts, he is forced to stay inside and cannot attend school, something most kids can relate to due to the pandemic. The author does a nice job describing life as it is and showing readers the importance of seeing hope in every situation. The sentences are simple, and the ending invites the readers to discuss their own communities. The illustrations are large and colorful, but I personally found them to be a bit distracting with so much happening in each image. Winner of the 2020 Outstanding International Books Award, the translated copy of this title can be found on Youtube and Amazon. This story fits well with Dr. Bishop’s windows and mirrors since it allows children to see themselves in the young boy, and also experience what life is like in communities around the world.
January 18, 2020
I haven't seen a picture book featuring the favelas of Brazil before, which makes this one unique. Most readers won't know what a favela is, but this is explained gently in the back matter--perhaps too gently since it addresses some of those challenging conditions faced by residents with a general statement. But even if readers aren't from a favela, many of them may live in neighborhoods where poverty, crime, and overcrowded conditions make life challenging, thus rendering this one relatable to their own lives. In the book, the narrator describes all the things that he can see from his window in his home. There are many buildings and people, and everyone seems busy, going about their daily tasks. He also dreams of the ocean and fresh air and green fields even while remarking on some of the violence below his window that makes it unsafe for him to venture out. The book closes by asking readers what they can see from their own windows. Created with acrylics and then completed digitally, the illustrations fill each page with blooming colors and life, effectively capturing the essence of such a vibrant place as well as some of its challenges. Readers will love knowing that the author started a permanent library for children in his favela and is sure that books saved him. Although I might wish for more details in the text, reading this book may encourage youngsters to learn more about poverty, favelas, and cherish the gift of literacy.
February 13, 2020
A window to the world, in the truest sense of the word.
An unnamed boy describes the view he sees out of the window of his home and into his self-contained neighborhood, known as a favela in Brazil. These views include mundane things like the brick buildings with rain barrels on their roofs, how people keep cool in the heat, how he finds color on a gray rainy day, the types of games that his friends play, and the violence and danger that lies in the streets.
Brazilian author Otavio Junior uses a poetic text to tell his story of the kinds of things he saw when growing up in his favela in Rio de Janeiro. His word painting is very broad and could describe just about any large city in the world. It is the digitally finished acrylic artwork by Vanina Starkoff that adds the visual details that firmly plant this book somewhere else. It is a crowded world filled with exotic plants, colorful scenery, and snapshots of everyday life that can only be seen in Rio.
Kids who live in densely populated areas will be able to see themselves Junior's story, however those from more rural and suburban areas will get a good idea of what they will find when they get there. The translation of text from Portuguese to English by Beatriz C. Dias is smooth, lyric, and reads aloud well.
Pull this one out when looking for books about Brazil, community, and observing your environment.
Recommended for grades PreSchool-3.
An unnamed boy describes the view he sees out of the window of his home and into his self-contained neighborhood, known as a favela in Brazil. These views include mundane things like the brick buildings with rain barrels on their roofs, how people keep cool in the heat, how he finds color on a gray rainy day, the types of games that his friends play, and the violence and danger that lies in the streets.
Brazilian author Otavio Junior uses a poetic text to tell his story of the kinds of things he saw when growing up in his favela in Rio de Janeiro. His word painting is very broad and could describe just about any large city in the world. It is the digitally finished acrylic artwork by Vanina Starkoff that adds the visual details that firmly plant this book somewhere else. It is a crowded world filled with exotic plants, colorful scenery, and snapshots of everyday life that can only be seen in Rio.
Kids who live in densely populated areas will be able to see themselves Junior's story, however those from more rural and suburban areas will get a good idea of what they will find when they get there. The translation of text from Portuguese to English by Beatriz C. Dias is smooth, lyric, and reads aloud well.
Pull this one out when looking for books about Brazil, community, and observing your environment.
Recommended for grades PreSchool-3.
January 27, 2021
I was gifted the book, From My Window, for my honest review through @BarefootBooks for Multicultural Children Book Day. #MCBD #ReadyourWorld. The author is Otavio Junior @otaviojuniorautor and the illustrator is Vanina Starkoff. #vaninastarkoff.
The story takes place in a favela in Rio De Janerio, Brazil. The definition of favela is included in the back of the book. Everyday happenings are observed from the window. School, church, businesses, weather, sports, and friends are all a part of life in the favela. Bicycles are ridden to get around town, by two people or families. The narrator is searching for the end of the rainbow. The illustrations are vibrant with color and lots of detail. The last illustration shows a rainbow surrounding a church with a yellow road leading to it, which reminds me of the Wizard of Oz. The book closes asking the reader “What is outside your window?
The author, Otavio, shares his love of books throughout the story. Many people are holding books. In the author notes, Otavio shares that his first book was found in the rubbish when he was 8 yrs old. He then carried books in a suitcase to share with others, similar to Little Free Libraries. Otavio has founded the Leia Favela Project which opened the first permanent children’s library in his favela, Complexo do Alema. I highly recommend sharing this book.
The story takes place in a favela in Rio De Janerio, Brazil. The definition of favela is included in the back of the book. Everyday happenings are observed from the window. School, church, businesses, weather, sports, and friends are all a part of life in the favela. Bicycles are ridden to get around town, by two people or families. The narrator is searching for the end of the rainbow. The illustrations are vibrant with color and lots of detail. The last illustration shows a rainbow surrounding a church with a yellow road leading to it, which reminds me of the Wizard of Oz. The book closes asking the reader “What is outside your window?
The author, Otavio, shares his love of books throughout the story. Many people are holding books. In the author notes, Otavio shares that his first book was found in the rubbish when he was 8 yrs old. He then carried books in a suitcase to share with others, similar to Little Free Libraries. Otavio has founded the Leia Favela Project which opened the first permanent children’s library in his favela, Complexo do Alema. I highly recommend sharing this book.
February 3, 2023
Livros infantis costumam me deixar deslumbrada e esse não foi diferente. É um olhar muito bonito do que é a favela!
O livro descreve, em uma rima curtinha, as coisas boas e belas da favela (imagino que seja no complexo da Maré) através do olhar de uma criança sem preconceitos. Achei maravilhoso isso! Morando no Rio de Janeiro, ouvimos o tempo todo sobre violência desses mundos paralelos, mas nem sempre temos a oportunidade de vê-los pelos olhos de uma criança.
As ilustrações ajudam dão mais vida à história, tudo muito colorido e dinâmico. Achei fantástica a mistura de desenho e fotografia usada em algumas páginas.
Acho que é um livro muito importante para quebrar barreiras e preconceitos em relação ao lugar e as pessoas que lá vivem. Sim, a violência existe e vários outros problemas políticos e sociais. Mas reconhecer a riqueza cultural e a humanidade, sobretudo, desses espaços é imprescindível para que seja possível desmistificar essa visão da favela como um lugar intrinsicamente ruim.
Fiquei muito feliz em ver vários comentários aqui de pessoas de outros países e torço para que muitos brasileiros leiam também.
O livro descreve, em uma rima curtinha, as coisas boas e belas da favela (imagino que seja no complexo da Maré) através do olhar de uma criança sem preconceitos. Achei maravilhoso isso! Morando no Rio de Janeiro, ouvimos o tempo todo sobre violência desses mundos paralelos, mas nem sempre temos a oportunidade de vê-los pelos olhos de uma criança.
As ilustrações ajudam dão mais vida à história, tudo muito colorido e dinâmico. Achei fantástica a mistura de desenho e fotografia usada em algumas páginas.
Acho que é um livro muito importante para quebrar barreiras e preconceitos em relação ao lugar e as pessoas que lá vivem. Sim, a violência existe e vários outros problemas políticos e sociais. Mas reconhecer a riqueza cultural e a humanidade, sobretudo, desses espaços é imprescindível para que seja possível desmistificar essa visão da favela como um lugar intrinsicamente ruim.
Fiquei muito feliz em ver vários comentários aqui de pessoas de outros países e torço para que muitos brasileiros leiam também.
November 8, 2020
This,has been a long time coming from the library. Otavio Júnior, a writer who grew up in a favela in Rio de Janeiro, has created a loving tribute to his home. I researched and found the beautiful quilt-like illustrations by Vanita Starkoff are digitized acrylics so filled that readers can look and look and never see every bit. When the narrator, a boy, looks out his window, he sees moments of fun, people working and playing, sometimes dreaming. In such a tight-knit neighborhood, this boy celebrates it though he is sad.too when he can't go to school or play football! The story was first published in Brazil. I think it would be so much fun to read and look with young children, but also read with any age and have them share, or write and illustrate what they "see" out their windows.
March 26, 2021
I didn't find the story to have much information of what life was like in a favela. But the last page has a nice description.
A favela is a special type of district in Brazil. They are not managed by the government like other areas. instead, the people who live in favelas are in charge of them. one out of every five people in Rio de Janeiro lives in a favela. Bc favelas are not connected tot government, it is difficult for residents to get resources like running water or electricity. this makes some people think that favelas are poorly build, but in fact most favela homes are build of strong materials like brick, concrete and steel. Favelas are known for having problems with violence, there are many other parts of life in a favela.
A favela is a special type of district in Brazil. They are not managed by the government like other areas. instead, the people who live in favelas are in charge of them. one out of every five people in Rio de Janeiro lives in a favela. Bc favelas are not connected tot government, it is difficult for residents to get resources like running water or electricity. this makes some people think that favelas are poorly build, but in fact most favela homes are build of strong materials like brick, concrete and steel. Favelas are known for having problems with violence, there are many other parts of life in a favela.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2021
I found this beautiful book while looking through the Outstanding International Books list of 2021. From My Window is a picturebook that shows you what you can see from your window while living in a Favela, this is a special district in Brazil that is not run by the government but is instead governed by the people who live there. This story brings beautiful visuals immediately. There are a multitude of colors that paint a picture of a beautiful town that has many people living there. The story is simple and expresses that there are tons of things to see from your window too. A teacher for sure could use this on a lesson about different parts of the world and even use this in a writing excercise where the students write about the things they can see from their windows too.
July 19, 2025
Interesting. This person is describing to us what they see from their window. They live in one of those huge neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. There is so much to see from that window. We see all sorts of life there. The city seems to go on forever.
The artwork is acrylic and finished digitally. Some of the artwork I really enjoy. The city is cool looking while the people are horrifying. The colors are so much. It's like looking at a huge flower garden. I love the colors.
This is a Favela in the city. It's not part of the government. They are on their own. I guess thats good. There is some violence and that's done well. A kid wouldn't get what's going on. It looks like bullets flying possibly.
Kids interested in other areas of the world will love this.
The artwork is acrylic and finished digitally. Some of the artwork I really enjoy. The city is cool looking while the people are horrifying. The colors are so much. It's like looking at a huge flower garden. I love the colors.
This is a Favela in the city. It's not part of the government. They are on their own. I guess thats good. There is some violence and that's done well. A kid wouldn't get what's going on. It looks like bullets flying possibly.
Kids interested in other areas of the world will love this.
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September 15, 2021The book that I selected from From My Window by Octavio Junior would be useful to read for young children in an early childhood setting by the text features. The sentences are simple, and fellow educators can implement a lesson that engages children with the illustrations and short sentences throughout the book. In addition, this picture book is effective for early childhood settings because it celebrates the diversity from a unique urban community. It is a window book for young children who come from diverse communities and countries. Many early childhood educators might have children from Brazil, and this picture book effectively embraces their own tradition and identity.
October 23, 2025
Star rating: *****
Date: 2019
Award: Outstanding International Books Award
Genre: Realistic Fiction
This is a great book to show students what life is like for people in other parts of the world. It shows the positives, along with the negatives, and what day-to-day life may look like. I think this book can help students learn about other parts of the world, and beat stereotypes. I liked this book, and I think there should be books like this for all different parts of the world. I think that if this was the case, there would be a lot less stereotypes because students would actually know about different cultures.
Date: 2019
Award: Outstanding International Books Award
Genre: Realistic Fiction
This is a great book to show students what life is like for people in other parts of the world. It shows the positives, along with the negatives, and what day-to-day life may look like. I think this book can help students learn about other parts of the world, and beat stereotypes. I liked this book, and I think there should be books like this for all different parts of the world. I think that if this was the case, there would be a lot less stereotypes because students would actually know about different cultures.
October 30, 2020
This book works on so many levels and reaches out to audiences of every age, including adults. The bright, complex, and intense illustrations incorporate intriguing and immense detail, heartfelt and humorous relationships, complexity of community, and endless potential for exploration.
The lives within a favela are genuine and exciting and familiar to our won, which a book like this invites us to see, and virtually hear and smell and feel and experience.
This is certainly a book that can and should be re-entered again and again.
The lives within a favela are genuine and exciting and familiar to our won, which a book like this invites us to see, and virtually hear and smell and feel and experience.
This is certainly a book that can and should be re-entered again and again.
January 28, 2021
Otavio Junior shares with readers what he noticed about his neighborhood growing up in a favela in Brazil. He shares what he notices about the physical surroundings such as the sheer size of the place, the materials from which it is made, and the people who live there. He does a nice job of conveying his love for the uniqueness of his favela. Starkoff's paintings show the jumbled, lively scenes that Otavio remembers. The bright colors, numerous details, eye-catching people give the reader much to look at and enjoy.
January 28, 2021
I was gifted a copy of From My Window, written by Otavio Junior, illustrated by Vanina Starkoff, and published by Barefoot Books in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own. From My Window takes place in a Favela in Brazil which are known for violence and other problems that tend to face poor urban areas. Junior with Starkoff's vibrant illustrations paint past the stereotypes and show a lively neighborhood of bright colors and community despite the hardships. This is a great read aloud for preschoolers and elementary students.
September 15, 2021
Copyright date: 2018
Awards: Outstanding international books and JLG gold standard Selection
Genre: children’s books, international
This author tells the story of kid who looks through a window into a great culture of a “favela” a type of district in Brazil, the values at the heart of the book is to show the beauty in a city and culture that isn’t heard of or talked about often and if they are talked about it’s something negative. This book could definitely connect with other books and kids reading it could see another perspective of someone else’s view from “their window” and culture.
Awards: Outstanding international books and JLG gold standard Selection
Genre: children’s books, international
This author tells the story of kid who looks through a window into a great culture of a “favela” a type of district in Brazil, the values at the heart of the book is to show the beauty in a city and culture that isn’t heard of or talked about often and if they are talked about it’s something negative. This book could definitely connect with other books and kids reading it could see another perspective of someone else’s view from “their window” and culture.
October 6, 2021
In this book, we look into a small town where things are run differently than we are used to. With no law enforcement, the two simply have their own rules and govern themselves. All the while having their own culture as well. I would say that this is a good window/mirror book for students who are curious about other cultures or might have come from a town like this. The representation in this book can be uplifting for students. I liked it though because you felt as though you know the events that occur there and the constant emotions some of the kids are feeling.
October 6, 2021
This realistic fiction book reflects on a boy's perspective of the community that surrounds where he lives. He explains everything he sees outside of his window. The text is simple, descriptive and really paints the picture, especially with the colorful pictures within the book. I could use this book in my classroom to have my students create their own version of what they see "from their window." We could then share about what we see/smell/hear/etc. from where we each live. Outstanding International Books, Published in 2020.
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