A Rose, for Example

Ana Pessoa & Madalena Matoso

Animals, plants, stars, objects, and all that we can see, plus all that exists, or once existed or might one day exist. This is a book with which to give things a name, as well as a prompt to play with words and images, their meanings, the fun we can have with them.

A rose, for example.
Is the word rose a rose?
And is a drawing of a rose a rose?
Does the word rose have a scent?
Does is have a color?
Can we give it to someone?

This is an unexpected, bright, fun, smart book about words, objects and how they are connected to each other. About how we name things, and the meaning words carry for us. A philosophical book that will engage readers of all ages!

 

Ana Pessoa was born in Lisbon in 1982. She debuted in 2011 with The Karate Girl’s Red Notebook. Her books have been translated into many languages and have received several awards by institutions such as FNLIJ (Brazil), Banco del Libro (Venezuela), Fundación Cuatrogatos (USA), International Youth Library (Germany), among others.

Madalena Matoso was born in Lisbon in 1974. For her illustrations, Madalena has won the Portuguese National Illustration Awards twice and received several special mentions internationally, most
recently for What Is It For? at the Bologna Ragazzi Awards 2022, category of non-fi ction. Her illustrations from her book It’s Not That Hard were selected for the illustration exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

 

Press voices

“A book with which to mix up the names of things, with those of people, of stars. A book with which to think, or, in other words, to philosophise; to invent words and thoughts and wind and bind them up. Not like a ball of wool, but rather like the tight knit of a good jumper. Yes – a book for knitting together words and thought and ideas and wishes.” Sara Amado, Prateleira-de-baixo