Bernardo P. Carvalho - Praia-Mar

A picture book can be a strange object.

The words are not visible on the pages, and readers, used to having a text to lead them by the hand, may feel a bit lost (much like when we arrive at a beach and look for the best spot to sit down). It’s quite possible that, at first, many readers won’t know what to do with Praia-mar. “What do I do with this book?” they might ask, concerned. To all of them, we recommend taking off their shoes (the tide is coming in soon…) and, already seated on the sand, taking a deep breath of the sea air. In no time, we’re sure, the strangeness will evaporate (or maybe be carried off by a wave), and the beach’s atmosphere will begin to wrap around them, leaving little room for doubt. Then, slowly, the waves will start to move in. And the readers — even those who were unsure about the sand on their feet at first — will feel a sudden urge to dive in and, without looking back, throw themselves into the blue of the pages. And just like that, the book will have fulfilled its purpose.

After A Day at the Beach, Bernardo Carvalho returns with another wordless album set by the sea. A book to wander through barefoot and take in slowly — just as one should when facing the ocean, whether it’s winter or summer.