Turma Da Monica Folclore – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Turma Da Monica Folclore

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2024

93%

WISE Score

Monica and the gang swap smartphones for Saci-Pererê in this vibrant, essential guide to Brazilian myths and oral traditions.

Turma Da Monica Folclore

book

2024

93%

WISE Score

Monica and the gang swap smartphones for Saci-Pererê in this vibrant, essential guide to Brazilian myths and oral traditions.

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the 'anti-brain-rot' book. In a world where kids are drowning in generic, globalized digital content, Turma Da Monica Folclore is a grounding, intentional choice. It uses the massive gravity of the Monica brand to pull kids into the rich, weird, and wonderful world of Brazilian oral tradition.

It’s high-quality, it’s culturally significant, and it’s genuinely fun to read. If you’re looking to build your kid’s 'language comprehension'—that half of the Reading Rope that involves vocabulary and background knowledge—this is a powerhouse tool disguised as a fun picture book.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 4 to 10. It works as a vibrant read-aloud for preschoolers and a great 'identity-building' book for elementary kids who are starting to learn about world cultures.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Monica's Gang is the gold standard for Brazilian childhood media, consistently modeling friendship and cultural pride without the snark or 'edginess' found in modern Western cartoons.

Imaginative

Folklore is the original imagination fuel. By mixing iconic characters with shapeshifting entities and oral traditions, it keeps these myths alive for a new generation.

Safe

It's a high-quality children's book from a reputable publisher. While some folklore figures like the Cuca can be 'scary,' they are presented here in the friendly, accessible Mauricio de Sousa style.

Enriching

It’s a masterclass in language comprehension. Between the riddles (parlendas) and proverbs, it builds massive 'background knowledge'—one of the key strands of the Reading Rope.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Cultural roots that help kids (especially heritage speakers) connect with Brazilian identity through characters they already trust.
Language play via parlendas and trovas that builds phonological awareness and rhythm in a way prose books don't.
Educator Manual included at the back gives parents actual activities to do rather than just closing the book and calling it a night.
Visual consistency with the classic Turma da Mônica style makes potentially 'spooky' myths feel safe and approachable.

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What to Watch For

Folklore logic can be a bit weird or dark if you think about it too hard (like the Cuca stealing kids), but the book keeps it light and educational.
Portuguese level: If your kid isn't a native speaker, some of the proverbs and old-fashioned rhymes might need a bit of parent-translation.

Conversation Starters

"If you could have one folklore creature as a pet, would you pick the Saci or the Curupira?"
"Why do you think these stories have been told for hundreds of years even before we had books?"
"Which of these proverbs do you think Grandma says the most?"
"Does the Saci remind you of any other pranksters from movies or other books?"

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