stories in the sky uses local pastime to encourage reading in brazil

stories in the sky uses local pastime to encourage reading in brazil
all images courtesy of instituto pró-livro

since 2006 brazilian NGO (non-governmental organization) instituto pró-livro has been dedicated to increasing literacy levels in brazil. the country, particularly amongst young impoverished children, has significantly lower proficiency levels and reading habits when compared to the average of industrialized and developing countries. on the occasion of international book day this year — april 23rd — the organization attempted a different approach. 

a boy reads his kite 

the world over, children are more apt to respond to learning in a way that’s fun and immersive. so, pró-livro decided to find a way to use the favorite local pastime of flying kites. after gathering stories and illustrations from famous brazilian writers like ziraldo, pedro bandeira, ana maria machado and more, a fleet of 500 kites were passed on to the santa marta community of rio de janeiro. ‘stories in the sky’ was a resounding success, and kites could be seen zigging and zagging in the blue sky above. 

of course, kids will be kids and before long leisurely flying transformed into aerial dueling. kite ‘fights’ commenced, as individuals used borderline jet-pilot maneuvering to attempt to cut the strings of opponents’ kites. but with every lost battle, another child won as the tales fell from the air into eagerly-waiting hands below. after reading their story, and with the addition of some more string, the objects caught the wind and zoomed into the atmosphere once again. for more information on the project, please click here. 

kite filled sky above the santa marta community of rio de janeiro 

a child prepares to launch a kite

reading to each other 

kite by silvia orthof

story by benedito ruy barbosa 

kite design — story by claudio fragata

seven illustration studios donated their works 

the project began on the occasion of international book day, april 23^rd 2015

kite with tale from author ziraldo 

eleven illustrations were specially designed for the project 

when a string is cut in a kite battle, the story drifts to another child below 

poem by roseana murray 

designboom has received this project through its ‘DIY submissions’ feature, which welcomes readers to submit their own work for publication. see more designboom readers submissions here.