St. Bernard of Clairvaux - The heart of Alcobaça

This children's book aims to show in an accessible and didactic way the story of this 12th century monk,

Importance of the children's book about St. Bernard of Clairvaux:
Example of simplicity - Bernardo was born into a noble family, but chose to live in
simple way of giving to others. Teaching children that a person's value
is not in wealth, but in the power of your heart.
Valuing study and wisdom - Bernardo was always a studious, curious child
and focused on their dreams. This situation inspires children to value learning and
seek knowledge to continue their studies.
Help us to make this project a reality, so that we can bring to light the children's book "S. Bernardo de Claraval - O coração de Alcobaça".

History, silence and faith: St. Bernard's legacy for Portugal and for today's children.

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About the author

Vanda Furtado Marques

Born in Alcobaça in 1968, I had the privilege of growing up in a family where culture and the world of stories were constant. From a young age, I remember my mother telling me stories about my aunts, grandparents, and great-grandparents. They were truly fantastic tales, where ancient treasures, misunderstood loves, and struggles for freedom were revealed to me during family evenings. Those moments were magical, and we children listened without blinking and with bated breath.
There were stories that were truly hair-raising. It was in this context, and with the birth of my first daughter, that I was inspired to write. I'm a history teacher and a writer and storyteller. I have a great passion for children and fairy tales. Through my books, I aim to awaken in children a love of history and promote the values essential for healthy child development.

Mariette Ezequiel

The book, titled "S. Bernardo de Claraval – O Coração de Alcobaça," features my collaboration with Mariette Ezequiel , a product designer and ceramist in Alcobaça, where I work. In addition to my artistic practice, I also teach ceramic technology at a vocational school, imparting technical and creative knowledge to new professionals. In this project, I'm creating illustrations inspired by the narrative to create images that connect with the text and reinforce the connection between Alcobaça's history and cultural identity. My experience in ceramics, marked by detail and aesthetic sensitivity, translates into a unique visual approach.

Carolina Pascoal

I'm Carolina Pascoal , a first-year Communication Design student. Prior to that, I completed secondary school in Visual Arts, which gave me a solid foundation in creativity, drawing, and composition. Currently, I've been developing skills that allow me to organize the visual production of the book, including editing and laying out pages, applying and harmonizing colors, choosing appropriate typography, and integrating text and illustrations in a clear and appealing way for children.

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Budget and due dates

The budget is 2,000 euros, to cover the costs of the printing and all the work involved in creating it.

Schedule: From project approval until November 7th.

In November the book will be sent to the printer for printing.

December book presentation in Alcobaça - location to be defined.

Images