Saudade

By Ana Crespo, André Ceolin (Illustrator)

A girl and her mother explore the bittersweet longing of saudade on a nostalgic hike.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 62 ratings

32 pages

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

A young girl and her Brazilian immigrant mother wander through hills, reflecting on saudade—a deep longing for what once was. As they recall ocean breezes and family moments now confined to video calls, they navigate the heartache of distance and memory. What memories will they cherish, and how will they find solace in their new world? This poignant tale invites readers to explore the universal feeling of nostalgia and the ties that bind us to our past, beautifully illustrated with dreamlike imagery.

From the publisher

If your heart has ever ached remembering a place or a person, a smell or a taste, then you’ve felt saudade. Saudade is a Portuguese and Galician word with no perfect translation to English; it’s a strong, melancholy longing for something you once had. Hiking in the hills, a little girl and her Brazilian immigrant mother contemplate what makes them feel saudade. A cool salty breeze miles from the ocean; the smell of Mamãe’s perfume; memories of playing with cousins under trees or waterfalls, riding waves with grandparents who are now stuck in the square of a video call. Though deeply woven through Brazilian music and literature, saudade is a familiar companion to us all. Readers who live far from loved ones or have adopted new homes will especially connect with this exploration of nostalgia and yearning. An endnote offers author Ana Crespo’s personal story of saudade as a Brazilian immigrant, and a glossary covers other Portuguese words the mother and daughter use. Andre Ceolin’s vivid illustrations, twining with daydreamy wisps of haze, set the perfect mood for this bittersweet, profoundly human story. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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