Written by Ana Maria Machado, one of Brazil’s most celebrated children’s authors and recipient of the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award, often referred to as the Nobel Prize of children’s literature, the book combines humor, poetry, and subtle social observation. Through the children’s interpretations of the adults around them, the story gently challenges stereotypes related to age, gender roles, and family dynamics, revealing how extraordinary people can be hidden behind seemingly ordinary lives.

Marilia Pirillo’s illustrations bring warmth, color, and fantasy to the narrative, enriching the contrast between reality and imagination. References to classic fairy tales and beloved literary characters are woven throughout the artwork, creating an engaging dialogue between text and image. Alternating between prose and poetry, and between realistic and fantastical perspectives, Very Different People celebrates individuality while inviting readers to look at their own families with renewed wonder and curiosity.