Monica Abreu Turns Personal Experiences into Children’s Stories and Uses Literature to Promote Inclusion
Monica Abreu
The Brazilian writer, educator and historian has built a literary career shaped by education, imagination and respect for diversity. Through books such as Planeta das Crianças and O Mundo de Maria Júlia, she explores childhood, empathy and autism. In 2023, she joined the Academy of Letters of Lençóis Paulista, marking another milestone in her literary journey.
For Brazilian author Monica Abreu, children’s literature has become much more than a creative pursuit. What began as a hobby during adolescence has gradually developed into a lifelong project combining education, sensitivity, inclusion and a commitment to human development.
Her relationship with writing began with short poems inspired by the emotions and experiences of her teenage years. At the time, poetry offered a way to express feelings she could not always put into words. Years later, everyday situations, images and observations began to spark new ideas, giving rise to characters, dialogues and stories that initially existed only in her imagination.
The decision to put those stories on paper marked the beginning of her work in children’s literature. With each completed narrative, her desire to create new stories grew, eventually turning her imagination into published books.
From Education to Literature
In 2004, Monica Abreu enrolled in a Pedagogy degree programme, deepening her understanding of childhood, child development and the role stories play in shaping human experience.
Her academic journey also helped her recognise the potential of her narratives to reach readers. During a university assignment, she was asked to create a story and turn it into a book. The experience sparked her desire to publish her work. By that time, she had already accumulated enough material for approximately 15 books.
Her first major milestone came in 2016 with the publication of Planeta das Crianças (Planet of Children). Soon afterwards, one of her stories was selected for inclusion in a collection of children’s tales, strengthening her confidence and encouraging her to pursue further literary projects.
Other books followed, including A Bailarina Angelina (Angelina the Ballerina) and O Sonho da Coelha (The Rabbit’s Dream), establishing her presence in children’s literature.
In addition to her background in Pedagogy, Monica is a historian and a specialist in Special Education, Psychopedagogy and School Management. Since 2013, she has been managing an educational institution, maintaining daily contact with children and their experiences. This professional involvement continues to influence her writing and the themes she explores.
Stories That Encourage Imagination and Empathy
Monica Abreu’s writing seeks to connect with young readers through accessible, sensitive storytelling that values imagination, emotions, discovery and empathy.
For the author, children’s books can do much more than entertain. They can support emotional development, encourage reflection and help children better understand human relationships.
Among her literary influences is Brazilian children’s author Ruth Rocha, whom Monica admires for her ability to address meaningful subjects with intelligence, warmth and engaging storytelling.
Throughout her career, Monica has contributed to numerous anthologies and literary collections, with approximately 50 poems published in literary projects, magazines and other publications. Her work has also received awards and recognition at municipal, national and international levels.
In 2023, she reached another important milestone when she took up Chair No. 6 at the Academy of Letters of Lençóis Paulista (ALELP), in Brazil. The appointment represented both recognition of her literary journey and a commitment to contributing to the cultural and literary life of her community.
O Mundo de Maria Júlia: Bringing Autism and Inclusion into Children’s Literature
One of the most meaningful works in Monica’s career is O Mundo de Maria Júlia (Maria Júlia’s World), a children’s book exploring the experiences of an autistic child and highlighting the importance of respecting differences.
The book reflects the author’s belief that every child has an individual way of perceiving, feeling, learning and experiencing the world. Through literature, she seeks to encourage greater understanding of neurodiversity and foster more empathetic relationships from an early age.
The subject also has a deeply personal dimension. Monica herself received an autism diagnosis, a discovery that led her to revisit past experiences and better understand sensitivities, challenges and personal characteristics that she had not always been able to explain.
According to her account, the diagnosis did not change who she was, but it transformed the way she understood herself. This new perspective also brought additional meaning to her writing and to the way she observes the world.
Her attention to detail, the intensity with which she experiences certain situations and her ability to transform everyday observations into stories have become important elements of her identity as an author.
Through O Mundo de Maria Júlia, Monica presents inclusion not simply as an educational topic, but as an opportunity to promote understanding, acceptance and respect for individual differences.
She hopes autistic children will find characters and experiences they can relate to, while other young readers will develop a better understanding of classmates whose experiences may differ from their own.
Her message is clear: before judging what we do not understand, we must learn to look at others with greater sensitivity.
Brazilian Children’s Literature on the International Stage
Monica Abreu’s literary journey has also reached an international audience through the presentation of O Mundo de Maria Júlia at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy, a major international event dedicated to children’s publishing.
The presentation represents an opportunity to bring greater visibility to a story centred on childhood, inclusion and respect for diversity, extending its message beyond Brazil.
For Monica, this milestone reflects the evolution of a journey that began with poems written during adolescence and developed through study, practice, publication and perseverance.
Her professional experience in education continues to play a central role in her literary work, helping her connect imaginative storytelling with the challenges and experiences of childhood.
The author aims to continue improving her craft, reaching new readers and creating books that remain in the hearts and memories of those who encounter them.
Monica Abreu’s story illustrates how an activity that begins as a personal passion can develop into a professional and cultural commitment. In her work, imagination meets education, while individual experiences become opportunities to explore universal themes.
More than telling stories, she seeks to contribute to a world in which differences are understood, empathy is encouraged and every child can feel recognised and valued.
Follow Monica Abreu on Instagram:
