Drawing on the rich tradition of lullabies and oral storytelling, Once Upon a Time a Jaguar… transforms a familiar bedtime ritual into a playful and suspenseful tale. When a jaguar arrives at a family’s home asking whether the children are asleep, a clever mother must find ways to protect them while navigating the unexpected visitor’s presence.

Written by Telma Guimarães, one of FTD Educação’s most widely translated authors, the story combines rhythmic language, repetition, and a circular narrative structure that makes it especially appealing for read-aloud sessions. Inspired by the imaginary figures that populate traditional bedtime songs, the book revisits cultural heritage in a fresh and humorous way that resonates across generations.

Illustrator Isabela Santos expands the narrative through expressive artwork rich in visual details. The illustrations begin telling the story before the text starts and continue beyond its ending, inviting readers to explore clues, anticipate events, and imagine what happens next.