Imaginary and Children’s Literature – images and symbols

Abstract

The text presents a history of literature in Brazil with emphasis on the imaginary evoked from the literary texts produced since the fifteenth century until today, that may be, in general, thus described: (a) in the sixteenth century, the paradise/fascination image of yhe new; (b) in the seventeenth century, the game of appearances; (c) the eighteenth century, the idea of independence, and, (d) in the nineteenth century, the radiography of the human soul. Then, the article highlights the greatest and expressive writers of Children ́s Literature in the country, coming to the discussion on the experiences developed in Brazilian schools with books of children ́s literature. In summary, it shows that the literary text must be seen as an encounter between the reader and the characters and allowing interpretations and developments of ideas and feelings. It strengthens further, children ́s literature as a bridge linking letters to the direction, analysis, interpretation, reality, dream, and to the imagination.