The childhood of João Guimarães Rosa: the biography for children and the literature for young readers,

Abstract

The childhood and the adult life of João Guimarães Rosa are on the pages of biographies, memories and studies that evidence his genius and sometimes go beyond the formal biographies for adult readers. Thus, these books were written especially for infant and juvenile public. “João, o menino Rosa” written by Lúcia Fidalgo (2011), and “João, Joãozinho, Joãozito: o menino encantado” written by Claudio Fragata (2016), are good examples of it. The first book is a biography for children and the second one is a juvenile literary book inspired by the life, childhood and the work of João Guimarães Rosa. This article is based on a qualitative research that tries to understand to what extent the two contemporary authors are placed in the dialogue with some memorialistic content of publications about the author. It was not intended to remake the itinerary research of the two authors but it was inevitable to embark on his creative paths to conclude that all the elements of his work are waiting for the infant and juvenile readers, like: the elaborations, the reminiscences of the author's life evidenced in his uncle's, his daughter’s and experts’ memories. These memories are pulsating, waiting for the infant and juvenil reader. Thus, the life of João Guimarães Rosa does not constitute a closed and untouchable circle. In this case, the carried out exercise points to the use of his memories for writing composition for children and young people today.