“Pretty Girl, What Color Are You?” it is more than a children’s narrative; is a resonance of real experiences lived by Giovana, inspired by the daughter of the author Aline Carvalho Santos Gonçalves. This sensitive tale emerges from the need to address issues of blackness, diversity and respect for differences from a young age. When a teacher leaves a comment that undermines the protagonist’s self-esteem, a journey guided by her mother begins to rebuild Gi’s self-esteem. With illustrations that celebrate plurality, the story serves as a powerful tool for conversations about prejudice and the importance of acceptance.
Aline Carvalho Santos Gonçalves, production engineer and professional in the financial market, now also stands out as an author. Through the pages of “Pretty Girl, What Color Do You Have?”, she not only tells stories, but provides an opportunity to transform mindsets from childhood. Her words have the power to not only entertain, but educate and open a crucial dialogue about diversity and acceptance in young minds.
How did you get the inspiration to write “Pretty girl, what color are you?” and what role did your daughter’s lived experience play in the conception of this story?
One day my daughter came home from school very sad and told me that the teacher said that the children in her class had a natural color, but she didn’t, she had a brown color and she was sad because she wanted to have a natural color too. The book came about as a creative way to explain to her, in a language he understood, that she also had natural color.
The story addresses the issue of self-esteem and appreciation of black identity. How do you believe that children’s literature can contribute to combating prejudice and promoting diversity?
All adults were once children, it is in childhood that we form our personality and learn to be who we are. When a child learns about prejudice and how to deal with differences in childhood, that child will certainly be an adult with more respect for others.
In the same way that people need to learn to discriminate, they can learn to love and respect others, regardless of differences and this applies not only to the issue of racism, but also to living with autistic or PWD children, for example.
The theme of the book is aimed at early childhood and children in the literacy phase. How did you adapt the narrative and illustrations to effectively reach this audience?
The book has simple language, vibrant colors and illustrations that show the world of children. The room, the toys, the pets, everything refers to the child’s universe to facilitate understanding.
The book uses colloquial dialogues and simple language to make it easier for children to understand. How did you balance the simplicity of the language with the depth of the message you wanted to convey?
The topic itself is very delicate, especially when prejudice happens to a child, I tried to bring a language that the child understands and, just like the illustrations, connect this language with the child’s daily life.
Xande Pimenta’s illustrations are an important part of the book. What was the collaboration process like with the illustrator and what was the atmosphere you wanted to create visually for the story?
When I write the story I already imagine the scenes and the context of the images. Xande Pimenta is a wonderful illustrator and we have a very good connection, this was our second work together. This harmony makes the collaborative process very fluid and small adjustments to the illustrations are usually necessary because it captures what I imagined for the scene at first glance. He has his own style that reflects on the characters and brought a lot of truth to the character’s expressions as the scenes unfold. I was really happy with the illustrations in this book.
In addition to being a work aimed at family reading, how do you imagine “Pretty girl, what color are you?” could it be a useful tool for professionals, such as psychologists, who work with children who have faced discrimination?
When I participate in fairs, meetings and reading circles, many mothers come to me and tell me that they bought the book because their son experienced racism at school. I was struck by how unfortunately what happened to my daughter was no exception. Parents use the book to dialogue with their children. Many psychologists also approach me saying that they are using the work in their work with children who have been or are victims of prejudice in the school environment.
You mentioned that the book tells the story of the protagonist’s African ancestors. How is the appreciation of African roots and culture addressed in the work and why is this fundamental?
Despite being a children’s book, I thought it was important to bring a little literacy and knowledge of Afro culture. As a form of empowerment for these children, I wanted to explain that black people were not only slaves, as they teach at school in celebration of May 13th, but they were also kings, queens, warriors and have a story that is untold.
The book seeks to promote dialogue about confronting prejudice. What advice would you give to parents and educators for addressing these sensitive topics with children effectively?
It is necessary to speak clearly with the child about what prejudice is and why it should not be practiced with peers. Children today have access to a large amount of information through the internet, and this information can often arrive in a distorted way.
Speaking in a simple and playful language and using literature and music, for example, facilitates dialogue. Parents of black children need to empower their children so that they do not feel inferior in the face of prejudice and know how to react and, above all, so that they have a welcoming and safe environment to tell their parents what happens outside the home.
In addition to “Pretty girl, what color are you?” You are the author of other children’s works. How did children’s literature become an essential part of your life and what are your future plans in this area?
I already have a children’s book published by the publisher Multifoco and illustrated by Xande Pimenta, called “The sheep, the dog, the black cat and the rabbit”. In this book, I tell the story of a grumpy little sheep and explain to children, also in a playful way, the importance of gratitude. I found myself in children’s literature: it’s what I like to write and I intend to establish myself in this field.
My next book is already written and it will be a fantastic realism book aimed at slightly older children who can already read on their own. Although the central theme is not diversity, my books will always have black characters because I want black children to see themselves represented in my stories.
Tell us about the feedback you’ve received from readers, especially children. Is there an inspiring story or remarkable reaction you would like to share?
I have received good feedback. Many parents tell me that their children loved the story and the illustrations and ask for the reading to be repeated several times. In the case of black children, there is still identification with the characters. Parents also comment that the book serves as material for dialogue with their children. Thanks!
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