Do you hear that sound? Is it the sea lapping against the sand, or the beat of the ciranda calling you to dance?

Uma Ciranda pra Lia pays tribute to Lia de Itamaracá, a Living Heritage of Pernambuco and the eternal Queen of the Ciranda.

Born from a classroom meeting between two arts educators, this work sees text and illustration joining hands. More than just an accordion-style book that mirrors the sway of the sea, it is pure poetry in motion, inviting you to spin.

The authors

CRISTIANO GOUVEIA. I am a writer, musician, storyteller, educator, and the father of Elis and Joaquim. I am also the son of Severino, who used to perform as a bacamarteiro (traditional musket-wielder) at the folk festivals of Caruaru, Pernambuco, and of Maria do Socorro, who danced at the folk festivities of Apunhares, Ceará, when she was a child. I am also the grandson of Francisco, a *rabeca* (folk fiddle) player who built his own instruments to play at celebrations. It was this family thread that instilled in me a love for music, stories, and Brazil’s traditional culture. That same thread, naturally, made me a profound admirer of Lia de Itamaracá.

I had the joy of meeting Lia on two occasions, and my daughter Elis was present for both. The first time was after a concert of hers at Sesc Vila Mariana. I was sitting at a table with Elis when we noticed someone joining us. It was Lia! Elis hugged her and chatted with her for a few moments. It was a brief, simple, and genuine encounter.

The second meeting took place on the island of Itamaracá, while we were walking along Jaguaribe Beach. Elis pointed and said, "Look, it's Lia!" She was walking calmly down the street. Elis hugged her, and Lia and her niece Salete invited us into the Embaixada da Ciranda (Ciranda Embassy). We sat at a table and talked about the beach, the weather, and ciranda, as well as this book, which was still taking shape.

What I saw in those encounters was a woman deeply rooted in her own territory. A true master! Lia walks the streets where she grew up, yet she carries the wisdom of someone who helped build the stronghold of Brazil’s brincante culture, the culture of festive performance and play. After that last meeting, which left me even more enchanted, we took Elis to write her name in the sand at Jaguaribe, just to watch the sea play at washing it away.

LAYLA CRUZ. I am an author, artist, and educator. Born in São Paulo to architect parents, I learned to play at drawing from my father, he was the one who taught me that a line can also be a game and a form of discovery. From my mother, I learned that Brazilian culture is a form of intergenerational memory and a fundamental right from childhood on: it is present in family samba gatherings, in musical games, and in the teachings and affection of the educators who touch our lives.

My work is shaped by this intersection of affection, education, and memory. This book is no exception: it emerged from a 2023 collaboration among artist-educators dedicated to introducing Brazilian folk culture to two- and three-year-old children. The verses and illustrations were created simultaneously in the classroom, an experience that reaffirms how art and the construction of knowledge create meaning when shared with a community.

Technical Information:

43 pages

Hardcover and accordion-style

12 cm x 15.43 cm

Weight: 0,35

ISBN:  978-65-86666-71-7

About Editora Caixote

Editora Caixote has been publishing books that “care” about childhood since 2015. It began its journey by publishing works in app format, gaining recognition as a pioneer in digital children's literature in Brazil. Since 2019, it has been publishing in print.