Bisa's Carnaval: Representing the Wandering Poor in Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture

Joana Pastro's BISA'S CARNAVAL captures the color, music, and energy of Carnaval from the eyes of a little girl who wants nothing more than to include her grandmother in the festivities. Carolina Coroa's vibrant, playful art pairs perfectly with Pastro's lyrical prose. I highly recommend this book for all ages.

Claire is so excited for Carnaval and her Bisa helps her get ready by showing her photos of Carnavals past, helping Claire and the other children make their costumes but Bisa says it's best if she just watch from her balcony, because Carnaval is fast and furious and won't wait for 'old legs.' So she blows kisses to Claire 'that soar like gulls by the shore.' For a while Claire is caught up in the swirling colors, the music, the confete, the beauty of people from all walks of life, mixing and forgetting their troubles. But something is missing. Claire finds a way to include her Bisa in all the fun. Illustrations by Carolina Coroa sing, sweep and swirl with Carnaval colors.

This book is so super special. I love the way the author weaves Portuguese words into the English text. My 6 year old TOTALLY got the concept and started translating the words by the end! I was amazed! The story shows a special relationship between great-grandmother and great-granddaughter. It would be a really special gift for a grandparent to give a grandchild. Basically, the art is bright and joyous, the story is sweet and warm, and the book overall is a complete stunner. Highly recommend.

This is a fun read aloud. Feel the excitement leading up to Carnaval, Brazil's well known January event. Energy flows. Preparations are made. Clara and Bisa get ready for the big parade. Thanks to Clara, everyone in the family enjoys Carnaval.

This is a book mostly about family. Bisa is the great-grandmother, and the Brazilian Carnaval the family looks forward to is not the famous one in Rio de Janeiro, but one in which the frevo, not the samba, holds center stage. A lovely picture book, and finally a little something about Brazil that isn't about soccer.