If you’re looking for picture books that explore culture and traditions around the world, then you’ll love Along the Tapajós by Fernando Vilela. I’m thrilled to partner with Amazon Crossing Kids to bring you this blog post! You’ll also find tortoise-themed activity sheets like how to make an easy origami tortoise, a fill-in-the-blank tortoise story, and a maze in the shape of a tortoise!
Along the Tapajós is a beautiful story about a family that lives by a river in Brazil. When the rainy season comes, the entire village packs up their belongings and moves to higher ground. When they get to their rainy season home, the children in the family realize that they forgot their tortoise. Since tortoises can’t swim, the children worry about their pet’s safety. The kids make the dangerous journey back to their river home to rescue their beloved pet.
My children and I read this book together and instantly fell in love with it. The children in the story are determined, brave, and will do whatever it takes to rescue their tortoise from certain doom. It also gives readers a glimpse into what life is like for children in other parts of the world. Readers can get a feel for the traditions and heritage of this particular village in Brazil.
I can’t get over how gorgeous the artwork in this book is. The colors, the design, and the brilliant use of white space make this picture book a stunning work of art. If you’re looking for picture books about Brazil, pets, or culture around the world, this is a fantastic book!
Keep reading to find out more about the book, discover some fun tortoise-related activities, and enter the giveaway to win a copy of the book!
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About the Book
Along the Tapajós by Fernando Vilela, translated by Daniel Hahn
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.
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Tortoise-Themed Activity Sheets for Kids
If you want to take a deeper dive into the world of tortoises after you read Along the Tapajós, here are some games and activities to get you started.
- Make an origami tortoise. [button url=”http://www.origami-instructions.com/easy-origami-tortoise.html”]Get instructions[/button]
- Find your way through a tortoise’s shell maze. [button url=”https://redwolfpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tortoise-Maze.pdf”]Print the Maze[/button]
- Fill in the blanks of a tortoise story. [button url=”https://redwolfpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Tortoise-Fill-in-Story.pdf”]Print the Story[/button]
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