MYFIRST PREHISTORY BOOK
written by Aloma] Illustrated by Vanessa Alexandre
A LONG, LONG, LONG TIME AGO…
MUUUU, MUUUU
THE HUGE LIONS WALKED.
GRAUUU, GRAU U U
ABOUT THE BOOK
In “My first Prehistory book”, the reading begins with a fact: there is a strange noise and we don’t know what it is... On the left-hand page, an unknown noise catches the reader’s attention. On the right-hand page, a surprise: the illustration drawn with white lines on a black background shows what is happening. Or rather, what was happening.
After all, each image in the book refers to a famous cave painting panel, showing the reader a little of the beauty and importance of this ancient art. Panels from different parts of the world are represented here, in a reinterpretation that dialogues with babies and young children. In addition, for each cave painting, the author has created a short narrative, always accompanied by an onomatopoeia to make it even more full of possibilities. This stimulates the imagination of the reader, who can then appreciate the images and create their own meanings.
The play between black and white is another strong point of the work and will arouse the reader’s interest – especially babies who, from birth, are able to pay special attention to the contrasts between light and dark in the images. For children and even adults, the white lines printed on black will reveal all the intensity of the strokes and shapes of cave art.
And there’s more: for those who wish to deepen their knowledge, the “complementary book” provides extra information on each of the cave paintings explored here. This way, readers of all ages will be able to explore some of the most important cave panels in the world. Just click on the QRCode below to access the “complementary book”.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
ALOMA is an author, translator and publisher of children’s books. Her work has been recognized by the Brazilian Ministry of Education, the UNESCO Chair Seal and the UN LibraryAgenda 2030. Her books feature simple texts and word games that delight babies and toddlers, promoting family reading and the actions of the Global Alliance for Literacy (UNESCO). Aloma lives in the green, undulating mountains of the Serra da Mantiqueira, accompanied by her family and her amazing dogs. That’s why her books value nature and people in their different ways of being and living, a tribute to childhood and the child who grows up and discovers the world in all its diversity. A way of valuing the environment and historical and cultural heritage, promoting tolerance, empathy and respect for cultural plurality.
VANESSA ALEXANDRE is an author and illustrator of children’s books and works with publishers in Brazil, Spain, the United States and Portugal, as well as illustrating textbooks. She has taken part in exhibitions such as the Cow Parade in São Paulo and the Jaguar Parade in São Paulo and New York. She was also selected for the UN Refugee Agency’s Refugiarte exhibition.
Rereading important rock art panels to create an affective dialog with babies and young children was an enjoyable challenge. Vanessa also loves rock art and all its charm.
