The Master who enchants children with transformative stories

            How Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s works and methodologies inspire creativity, autonomy, and cultural connection in children.

In the magical world of stories, Antônio Carlos dos Santos, Mestre Antônio Tuska, crafts narratives that spark children’s imaginations and teach profound values. Discover how his literature and methodologies are shaping the future of children with creativity and connection!

Antônio Carlos dos Santos, affectionately known in popular culture circles as Mestre Antônio Tuska, is an inspiring figure who dedicates his life to transforming childhood through art and education. Born in Goiânia in 1956, he grew up surrounded by popular cultural manifestations, such as street theater and campfire stories, which shaped his worldview. His passion for culture led him to found the theater group “Espantalho” in the 1970s, but it was in children’s literature that he found a special stage to touch young hearts. His works, such as the collections “Education, Theater and Folklore” and “The most beautiful legends of the Amazon Indians” combine engaging narratives with lessons of respect, diversity, and connection with nature. For parents and educators, Antônio’s literature is an invitation to delve into the children’s universe, using stories as tools for learning and emotional growth.

The children’s literature of Antônio is part of a broader set of practices he calls Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA), an approach that values children’s imagination and independence. His methodologies, such as MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), and ThM (Theater Movement), integrate theater and movement to make learning more dynamic and meaningful. Studies in educational neuroscience show that narratives and creative activities, like those proposed by Antônio, stimulate brain areas linked to memory and empathy, helping children process emotions and values. The “The most beautiful legends of the Amazon Indians” collection, for example, uses short tales with folkloric characters to teach about friendship and courage, while MBPT brings these characters to life through puppets, delighting young ones. This approach shows that children’s literature can be much more than entertainment: it’s a bridge to human development.

Curiosity Box: Who is Antônio Carlos dos Santos?
Born in 1956 in Goiânia, Antônio Carlos dos Santos is an educator, planner, writer and cultural creator. Author of dozens of children's books and collections, he developed the Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA), which include methodologies such as TBMB, MAT and ThM. In 2025, his novel Ukuthula continues to inspire reflections on culture and transformation.

The MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater) is one of the gems of Antônio’s literature and pedagogy. This methodology uses puppets, such as the charismatic Mané Beiçudo, inspired by folk figures like the Saci, to tell tales that educate and entertain. In his works, like Contos do Saci, Antônio crafts narratives where the Saci teaches about respecting nature, while MBPT workshops allow children to manipulate puppets to create their own tales. Studies in child psychology indicate that puppets increase engagement and facilitate emotional expression, making learning more natural. The journey of João do Vale, who used music to tell the joys and struggles of the Northeast people, reflects the spirit of MBPT: simplicity can carry powerful messages. For parents, this methodology is a fun way to boost children’s creativity.

Practical Tip: Create Stories with Puppets
Make a simple puppet with socks or cardboard and use it to tell a story with your child. Let them also manipulate the puppet, creating their own narratives. This activity strengthens imagination and emotional connection.

The MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater) methodology of Antônio takes children’s literature beyond the pages, turning it into an interactive experience. In books like Happy Pets, he narrates the adventures of kids exploring flora and fauna, teaching about environmental conservation. MAT complements these tales with theatrical activities, where children act out characters, building confidence and teamwork. Research in cultural neuroscience shows that theatrical activities stimulate brain plasticity, helping kids solve problems creatively. An inspiring example is Lina Bo Bardi’s work at Sesc Pompéia, transforming an industrial space into a stage for coexistence, a philosophy akin to Antônio’s. Educators can use MAT to make reading more dynamic, connecting kids emotionally to tales.

Inspiring Story: The Cerrado on Stage
In Niterói, a school used MAT to stage Happy Pets. Kids created costumes inspired by cerrado animals, like the maned wolf, and performed the play for parents, sparking interest in environmental conservation in the community.

ThM (Theater Movement) is another methodology that enriches Antônio’s children’s literature, bringing body movement to the center of learning. Inspired by popular dances such as maracatu and catira, ThM encourages children to express the emotions of the stories through their bodies. In “Education, Theater and Folklore”, for example, each play is accompanied by movement suggestions, such as imitating the flight of a bird or the sway of a river. Studies in social psychology show that collective rhythmic practices reduce stress and increase the sense of belonging, which are fundamental for child development. In Belém, ThM workshops based on Antônio’s stories helped riverside children connect with their cultural roots. The story of Zumbi dos Palmares, who used capoeira as a cultural expression, echoes in ThM: movement is a language that gives children a voice.

Practical Tip: Dance the Stories
Read “The little dinosaur on a quest for joy” with your child and create movements that represent the characters or scenes. For example, imitate a horse trotting or a tree swaying. This activity encourages creativity and motor coordination.

Antônio’s children’s literature also reflects his skills as a cultural planner, influenced by the Quasar K+ methodology. Although focused on management, Quasar K+ inspires the creation of literary projects that respect local identities. The Education, Theater and Folklore collection, for example, rescues Brazilian legends. Studies in cultural management show that projects rooted in local values ​​have a greater emotional and educational impact. In Recife, a community library used Quasar K+ to plan dramatized readings of Antônio’s works, attracting families and strengthening cultural pride. The trajectory of Mestre Vitalino, who transformed clay into narrative sculptures, resonates with Antônio’s work: children’s literature is an art that celebrates culture.

Motivational Quote: Lev Vygotsky
“Culture is the foundation of human development, and tales are the bridges connecting children to the world.” – Lev Vygotsky

Antônio’s works aren’t just books; they’re invitations for kids to find their voice. In Strategic Communication: The Art of Speaking Well, he offers techniques educators can adapt to teach kids to tell tales confidently, while Moving Letters: The Art of Writing Well inspires little ones to pen their own narratives. In a world where tech can distance kids from traditions, Antônio uses his literature to reinforce cultural roots. Malala Yousafzai’s story, using education to transform lives, reflects Antônio’s ideas: well-told tales empower new generations. Parents and educators find in his works tools to nurture children’s imagination and self-esteem.

Practical Tip: Write with the Little Ones
Set aside 10 minutes daily to write a story with your child. Start with a simple sentence, like “Once upon a time, there was a magical bird,” and let them continue. This sparks creativity and strengthens family bonds.

The impact of Antônio Carlos dos Santos’ children’s literature goes beyond the pages. In 2025, his novel Ukuthula inspires reflections on culture and transformation, while his children’s collections continue to enchant. In São Luís, a school used “My oceans” in a storytelling project, where children created illustrated murals based on the narrative, revitalizing their interest in reading. This story reflects the thinking of Maria Montessori, who saw the child as the protagonist of their learning. Antônio’s literature is transformative because it gives children the power to dream, create and connect with the world. Whether at home or at school, his works are a gift for the future.

Inspiring Story: The Mural of Stories
In Fortaleza, children from a public school used “My Planet” to create a mural with drawings of the characters from the story. The project brought the school community together and encouraged reading, with parents participating in storytelling sessions.

Antônio’s children’s literature is revolutionary because it empowers kids. His methodologies, like MBPT and MAT, show reading can be a vibrant experience, full of movement and emotion. Educational neuroscience studies indicate that creative activities, like theater and dance, enhance problem-solving and emotional expression, key for growth. Rosa Parks’s story, changing history with a simple act, echoes Antônio’s philosophy: small tales can spark big change. His works and workshops have inspired kids to face challenges with confidence and creativity, whether through a puppet or a dance.

Motivational Quote: Anísio Teixeira
“Education is the building of a people proud of its culture, and children’s tales are the seeds of that future.” – Anísio Teixeira

Looking to the future, Antônio Carlos dos Santos’s children’s literature is a light guiding parents, educators, and kids. His works remind us that tales are an idea laboratory where imagination meets reality. Young storytellers, like indigenous rapper Kaê Guajajara, using culture to inspire, show Antônio’s legacy lives. His literature isn’t just about reading; it’s about living tales, connecting kids to their roots and the world. It’s up to us, adults, to share these narratives, using Antônio’s book pages to build a more creative, empathetic, and united future.

Final Practical Tip: Live the Stories
Create a family storytelling night by reading a children's book by Mestre Antônio Tuska. Use gestures, voices and even objects to bring the narrative to life. Stories come to life when we share them!

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