Adeilson Silva Salles:

 
“In children’s literature there is always room for more”

The well-known children’s books writer talks about
the importance of Spiritist literature for children
and says that, more than ever, parents
need to read to and with children

Adeilson Silva Salles (picture) was born in Vicente de Carvalho (SP) and currently lives in Guarujá (SP). He became Spiritist in 1989 overcoming an obsessive problem, he’s got more than ten books published, most of them children’s books. Graduated in High School and student of Philosophy, is a distinguished poet in Guarujá and stands out in the Spiritist movement as a lecturer and author of Spiritist books for children. Adeilson delivered this magazine the following interview:

O Consolador: How many books do you have edited, as a medium and as a writer?

Currently I have 12 books published, they are: five Spiritist novels: Learning how to live –O Clarim publisher; Until death unites us again – CEAC Bauru; The daughter of the sin – CEAC – Bauru; A new chance to love – CEAC Bauru; The missionary –Solidum publisher; a book of messages: XXI Seconds –Solidum publisher; and six children’s books: The curious boy – Editora Solidum; Morning, the girl... –Solidum publisher; Bellinha and Bernadete, the lizard – FEB; One for all and all for one – FEB; The Secret of the Jaguar – FEB and The Kingdom of Comes and Goes –Boa Nova publisher. 

O Consolador: Do you have others in the making? What are they?

They will be published in the following months by Boa Nova, they are three books: When the videogame owned Naldinho, The snake who wore slippers and Nikolaou, the boy who painted dreams; by FEB four books: Back to school, The mirror of feelings, The largest swamp in the world and A world without books. In literature for adults, there are two books coming out: Obsession in Progress (Spiritist novel) and Invisible handcuffs (self-help). 

O Consolador: When started all this interest for literature? And where do you get inspiration from?

My interest for children’s literature started when I created the children’s book club. My contact with this kind of literature and living with my granddaughter were the reasons. After the first contacts with children’s books I became an avid reader of this kind of literature, not only Spiritist ones. During this time I had a dream that would change a lot my priorities in terms of literature. One night I dreamed with our dear Monteiro Lobato. In this dream the great writer told me to write children’s books, and I would experience great joy. The incentive from the great Monteiro Lobato turned out into three children’s books, all published by FEB, an unusual event up to then and an unforgettable experience.

O Consolador: How was the experience of having three books for children being released by FEB?

The three books published by FEB took me to the Bienal do Livro do Rio de Janeiro (a book fair) in September, 2007. In this event the three children’s books were best-sellers and one of the most requested ones. These same books are taking me to the same event, now in São Paulo next August. It’s worth it to mention that there are three more books to be released by FEB in this next book fair. Because of the success of the children’s books by FEB, Boa Nova publisher is also releasing one title of this literature in this event. We will be releasing in São Paulo four more children’s books. 

O Consolador: How has your participation in writing for the Spiritist press been?

All the work focused on children through these books has opened doors for me. I currently write in some Spiritist journals, which, fortunately, are opening space for children’s books. They are: Delfos Magazine, Magazine of Spiritism and Science and we will be soon collaborating with the Spiritist Pedagogical Magazine. In these magazines I write short stories for children and teachers. I also write for the journal Truth and Light, by USE Ribeirão Preto. 

O Consolador: In lectures, your speech has been characterized by the incentive for children. Tell us about this.

In our lectures, we have talked a lot about the importance of education and this powerful tool called the children’s books. In fact we want to make the adults, parents and teachers aware. Parents need to be aware that the children’s books are a great ally for them. I talk about children’s books in an overall view, Spiritist and non-Spiritist. This is our proposal. 

O Consolador: And how has the general public responded up to now?

These meetings are very special, because the reaction from people is of surprise and joy. Children look for me, parents come to demonstrate gratitude. I feel that many Spiritist writers have opened way for this kind of work, but there is still much to be done. But the result of this is shown on children’s faces, joy and love. 

O Consolador: About Spiritist children’s literature, was there a crisis or lack of material in the area?

I believe that in children’s literature there is always room for more. I have experienced the joy to see great publishers being aware of the need for children’s books. Many publishers only worry about adult literature, but fortunately it has been changing. 

O Consolador: What is the best technique to teach Jesus and Spiritism for children?

I believe that the best way to adapt to the Christian Spiritist messages to children is by respecting them. Their intelligence, and understanding. It is needed to always deliver the best for children; this is decisive to arouse their interest. And more than ever, parents need to read to and with children. 

O Consolador: What are your future plans in this area of literature and lectures?

I have some textbooks ready; I also intend to publish them for non-Spiritist children, but always considering life as the most precious thing. As for lectures, I hope to see more space to talk about children’s literature, because the lack of books means lack of education. 

O Consolador: Your final words.

There will be no regeneration without education. Parents and Spiritist teachers create book clubs in your institutions; make room for children’s literature in your Spiritist Centers. More than that set up a library for children. Great writers of our literature have books that will help children become good people. The friendship between parents and kids gets stronger in simple gestures, being literature one of these gestures. Read with your children.