In the book “Todas as Vidas de Tati”, pedagogue Vanessa Nascimento delves into deep themes that permeate contemporary adolescence. The story follows Tati, a 14-year-old girl, burdened by the pressures of society, aesthetic demands and the emotional absence of her mother, an influencer obsessed with perfection on social media.
When a panic attack and a serious eating disorder threaten her health, Tati is taken on a journey of self-discovery when she is sent to spend the holidays with her mother’s family in Caruaru, in the backlands of Pernambuco. Away from social media and unrealistic expectations, she finds in the simplicity of life in the countryside a new perspective of happiness and freedom.
Vanessa Nascimento uses her experience as a pedagogue to explore sensitive topics, such as eating disorders, bullying and emotional fragility, offering not only a captivating narrative for children and young people, but also a guide for parents and educators to deal with complex issues in their relationships with their children.
How does Tati’s story reflect issues that are so relevant to contemporary adolescence, such as social pressure, eating disorders and paternal absence?
Much is said about the subject of ‘domestic abuse’ between couples, but the origin of this abuse is generally ignored, as it is an issue considered unquestionable, which is abuse that begins in childhood and becomes more pronounced in adolescence. Issues such as social pressure, eating disorders and lack of affection have been present since the world began, but only now are we able to reflect and talk about how parents influence the formation of people who lack self-esteem.
What was the inspiration behind the decision to send Tati to spend the holidays with her maternal family in the backlands of Pernambuco? How does this experience impact the character’s journey?
My mother is from Caruaru, but came to São Paulo when she was very young. I remember that, at the age of 10, when I visited the city for the first time, I was impressed by the local art. The artists making clay sculptures there, in front of me. These images never left my memory. I returned shortly after the pandemic and the studios were closed. Despite tourism becoming more flexible, people seemed to have forgotten about that city and its artists. But what caught my attention the most was seeing children playing in the street, something I hadn’t seen for many years. When I started writing All the lives of Tati, I wanted to offer her a world where she could understand what it’s like to be a child, to understand all the deprivations that online life brought her and, thus, make the decision to continue or not. the life of an influencer.
How can literature be an effective tool to address sensitive topics such as eating disorders and emotional fragility among adolescents?
It is through literature (and stories) that we develop the ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes. Reading about the sufferings of a girl who, apparently, has a perfect life, makes the teenager identify with herself and, as a result, have more freedom and confidence to express her own anxieties.
In the book, Tati abandons her life as a digital influencer and finds happiness in simple things. What is the main message you hope to convey to readers with this change in the character’s perspective?
I want young people to question what is imposed as happiness versus what really makes them happy. The consumer industry is trying to convince them that they need to have things to achieve happiness that, in their own eyes, seems so distant. This is because they are robbing them of the opportunity to be instead of appearing.
What are the main challenges faced by fathers and mothers in raising their children, especially given social pressures and the impact of social networks on the lives of children and adolescents?
The lack of dialogue is creating lonely individuals within their own homes. Immersed in the cheap entertainment of social media, families go through life without knowing each other. The less freedom young people have to communicate with those they should trust most, the more they trust the influences that come from the internet. And with that, this appearance industry is shoved down their throats.
How did your experience as a teacher of children and teenagers in bilingual schools influence your writing and the way you approach the themes in your book?
The teaching of the English language in bilingual schools is always based on literature. Involving post-reading discussions. With this, I was able to develop a special perspective on the types of discussions that can be had, both at school and at home. However, these books come from abroad, and deal with issues facing American, British and Canadian children. My intention with this book was to bring literature closer to the issues that teenagers face in Brazil, which is, for example, the country with the largest number of influencers in the world.
Do you believe that children’s literature can play an important role in promoting self-acceptance and self-esteem among young people? If so, how?
Not only do I believe it, I’ve seen it happen countless times. Self-acceptance depends on young people understanding that it’s okay to be different and not squeezing themselves into the tiny box that society tries to place them in. When reading about characters who accept themselves, they discover that it is possible for them too. As for self-esteem, I believe it comes precisely from this self-acceptance. Since, when we accept, we learn to observe qualities and skills.
What are the main values you hope to convey to young readers through Tati’s story?
I hope that, especially girls, they learn to assert themselves in the face of what they want or don’t want to do with their self-image and, as a result, think more about their mental health than their skin. care.
How do you see the role of parents and family in supporting the emotional and psychological development of teenagers, especially in an increasingly digital and connected world?
I am an eternal defender of family dialogue. Don’t be afraid of being boring. Believe me, your children want limits, and with a good conversation, they are able to understand the harm of social media for their own development.
What message would you like readers to take away from “All the lives of Tati” after reading the book?
I would like them to know that the world needs authenticity and, by being themselves, they can satisfy themselves and those around them.
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