Maria Aurora (writer) facts for kids

Maria Aurora (born Aurora Augusta Figueiredo de Carvalho Homem) was a talented Portuguese writer and TV presenter. She was born on November 13, 1937, and passed away on June 11, 2010.

Maria Aurora was known for many things. She was a journalist, a poet, and a novelist. She also wrote many wonderful books for children. You might have even seen her on TV as a television presenter!

Even though she was born in Viseu District, she moved to Madeira Island in 1974. People on Madeira really loved her work and how much she helped their culture. The city of Funchal on Madeira has even honored her. They have an award for essays about gender equality named after her. There's also a street in Funchal that carries her name!

Maria Aurora's Books

Maria Aurora wrote many different kinds of books during her life. She wrote beautiful poems, exciting stories, and even books just for kids.

Poetry Books

Here are some of the poetry books Maria Aurora wrote:

• Raízes do silêncio (Roots of Silence), published in Funchal in 1982.
• Ilha a duas vozes (Island with Two Voices), published in Funchal in 1988. She wrote this with João Carlos Abreu.
• Cintilações (Sparkles), published in Funchal in 1994. She wrote this with João Lemos Gomes.
• Uma voz de muda espera: monografia sentimental (A Voice of Silent Waiting: Sentimental Monograph), published in São Pedro do Sul in 1995.
• 12 textos de desejo (12 Texts of Desire), published in Funchal in 2003.
• Antes que a noite caia (Before Night Falls), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2005.
• Discurso amoroso (Loving Discourse), published in Porto in 2006.

Fiction Stories

Maria Aurora also wrote fiction, which means stories that are made up.

• A Santa do Calhau: contos (The Saint of Calhau: Short Stories), published in Lisboa in 1992.
• Para ouvir Albinoni (To Listen to Albinoni), published in Ponta Delgada in 1995.
• Leila: contos (Leila: Short Stories), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2005.
• Zina, a baleia azul (Zina, the Blue Whale), published in Lisboa in 2007. This book also had illustrations by Sónia Cântara.

Non-Fiction Works

She wrote one known non-fiction book:

• Discurs(ilha)ndo: crónicas (Discurs(island)ing: Chronicles), published in Funchal in 1999.

Collections of Stories and Poems

Maria Aurora's work was also included in collections with other writers.

• Pontos luminosos: Açores e Madeira: antologia de poesia do século XX (Luminous Points: Azores and Madeira: Anthology of 20th Century Poetry), published in 2006. She worked on this with Urbano Bettencourt and Diana Pimentel.
• São Vicente em fundo: antologia dos prémios do conto "Horácio Bento de Gouveia" (São Vicente in the Background: Anthology of "Horácio Bento de Gouveia" Short Story Awards), published in Lisboa in 2009.

Books for Kids

Maria Aurora wrote many popular books especially for children:

• Vamos cantar histórias (Let's Sing Stories), published in Funchal in 1989.
• Juju a tartaruga (Juju the Turtle), published in Lisboa in 1991. This book was made with Maurício Fernandes.
• Loma, o lobo marinho (Loma, the Sea Wolf), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2005.
• Maria e a estrela do mar (Maria and the Starfish), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2007.
• A fada Ofélia e o véu da noiva (Fairy Ofélia and the Bride's Veil), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2008. José Nelson Pestana Henriques did the illustrations.
• A cidade do Funcho: a primeira viagem de João Gonçalves da Câmara (The City of Fennel: The First Journey of João Gonçalves da Câmara), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2008. Illustrated by José Nelson Pestana Henriques.
• Uma escadinha para o Menino Jesus (A Little Ladder for Baby Jesus), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2008. Illustrated by José Nelson Pestana Henriques.
• Pedro pesquito e a Câmara dos Lobos (Pedro the Little Fish and Câmara dos Lobos), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2009. Illustrated by José Nelson Pestana Henriques.
• O anjo Tobias e a rochinha de Natal (Angel Tobias and the Little Christmas Rock), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2009. Illustrated by José Nelson Pestana Henriques.
• A fada Íris e a floresta mágica (Fairy Íris and the Magic Forest), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2009. Illustrated by Elisabete Henriques.
• Marta, Xispas e a gruta misteriosa (Marta, Xispas and the Mysterious Cave), published in Vila Nova de Gaia in 2010. Illustrated by José Nelson Pestana Henriques.

More About Her Work

• Homem, Maria Aurora Carvalho (2010). Leituras e afectos: uma homenagem a Maria Aurora Carvalho Homem. 7 Dias 6 Noites. ISBN 978-989-686-043-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=kqHoZwEACAAJ.

See also

In Spanish: Maria Aurora para niños