Dive

"A magical portrait of the unique ways we look at life and connect with others."--Kirkus Reviews

A true dive into the enchanting inner world of a unique boy, where wonder and creativity flow through the vast ocean of the autistic universe.

In this heartfelt narrative, we follow the journey of a worried mother and a compassionate doctor as they explore the enchanting inner world of a uniquely special boy. As they delve deeper, they discover that his world is as vast and profound as the ocean--a place of wonder, depth, and emotion.

This sensitive and respectful story offers a luminous window into the autistic universe, celebrating the many ways we can connect, understand, and embrace one another. Through vibrant, expressive illustrations and lyrical prose, Dive reveals the beauty and complexity of human connection, inviting readers to see the world through fresh, compassionate eyes.

Tender and humorous, this visually rich tale is a celebration of empathy, creativity, and the mysterious inner worlds of children. It invites readers of all ages to dive into the ocean of feelings we all carry inside.

Author: Volnei Canônica
Publisher: Tapioca Stories
Published: 03/24/2026
Pages: 44
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 11.98h x 6.07w x 0.40d
ISBN: 9798988749998
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2026

About the Author
Bruna Dantas Lobato is a writer and translator. Her fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, Guernica, A Public Space, and The Common. Her translation of The Words That Remain by Stênio Gardel received the 2023 National Book Award for Translated Literature. Originally from Natal, Brazil, she lives in Iowa and teaches at Grinnell College. Her debut novel, Blue Light Hours, is out now from Grove Atlantic.

Mariana Massarani was born and lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She studied industrial design at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and works as an illustrator for newspapers, magazines, books, and artworks. She has illustrated around 250 children's books by various authors and has also written several books. Many of these have received awards from the National Foundation for Children's and Youth Books (FNLIJ), selected for The White Ravens Catalogue, and have won numerous Jabuti Awards and an HQ Mix Trophy. Her illustrations have been exhibited in Brazil, Italy, Germany, South Korea, and Japan.

Volnei Canônica was born in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He is a prominent Brazilian author and advocate for children's and youth literature. He is the founder of the Instituto de Leitura Quindim and has coordinated several literary programs at the Ministry of Culture of Brazil. His books have won several awards. Dive is his debut English publication and was inspired by and dedicated to his godson, who inspired him to explore the ocean of possibilities and diversity within the autistic universe.