O protagonismo negro em contos de fadas: promovendo a importância da representatividade e o imaginário das crianças

Abstract

This article addresses the importance of Black protagonists in children's literature, specifically in retellings of fairy tales. Its general objective was to analyze the narrative and aesthetic strategies employed in children's literature works that restructure fairy tales, identifying how Black protagonists are portrayed to transform the collective imagination and promote positive representation. To support this goal, the specific objectives were to: identify key contemporary children's books featuring Black protagonists in fairy tale retellings—using them to facilitate engagement and involve children—and examine textual elements and illustrations to discuss the relationship between Afro-Brazilian/African culture and the fairy tale structure, specifically looking for the incorporation of non-Eurocentric symbols or aesthetics. This was a qualitative field study conducted at the José Carlos Mestrinho Municipal School (Madureira Annex) with third-grade elementary students. The study introduced fairy tale retellings featuring Black protagonists by authors Cristina Agostinho and Ronaldo Simões Coelho, published by Mazza—a publishing house specializing in ethnic-racial themes. Five sessions were held to mediate the reading of these books, followed by activities based on the narratives. The results highlight the vital role of the teacher as a mediator, despite the scarcity of such works in daily school life. The study concludes that introducing Black characters into fairy tales is an effective path toward anti-racist education and the promotion of respect. Positive character representation helps combat prejudice and expands children's cultural horizons, fostering empathy and allowing them to feel like protagonists in their own stories. In this context, literature acts as both a mirror and a window, allowing children to see themselves represented in positions of beauty and power.