Three inseparable friends, Maria Eduarda, Nayara, and Amanda, find comfort in one another as they navigate childhood marked by teasing, insecurity, and the desire to belong. Together, they create a space where differences are accepted and friendship feels unbreakable. But a single lie shatters their bond, leaving Nayara to confront loneliness, unanswered questions, and the difficult process of understanding why relationships sometimes come to an end.
Written by Paula Fábrio, winner of the São Paulo Literature Prize and FNLIJ distinctions for young readers, As Important as a Piece of the Tongue explores friendship, prejudice, self-discovery, and the transition from childhood to adolescence through a poetic and emotionally layered narrative. With remarkable sensitivity, the story also addresses a rarely explored topic in children’s literature: the experience of children with incarcerated family members and the stigma they often face.
Laura Athayde’s illustrations expand the emotional depth of the story through symbolic imagery and carefully crafted visual metaphors. Feelings of loss, confusion, and isolation are expressed not only through words but also through page composition, color, scale, and visual storytelling. Text and image work in close dialogue, creating a reading experience that rewards observation and invites reflection on the invisible emotional landscapes of growing up.
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