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Histórias da Minha Avó Açoriana
Stories of My Azorean Grandmother

A bilingual book of three fairy tales for adults and children alike.  These stories were told to Conceição by her grandmother, Francisca, when she was a child in The Azores Islands.

The book also includes a discussion of the author’s research on fairytales and folktales. The preface was written by the distinguished Dr. Alzira Silva, who served as the Regional Director of the Communities of the Azores, as well as a Deputy in the Legislative Assembly in the Azores. Dr. Silva also introduced Conceição and her book at the Azorean book launch. 

The first story, Snow White or Mary of the Wooden Dress, is a combination of some well-known fairy tales,  Cinderella, Snow White, and The Black Bull, with some creative twists thrown-in by her grandmother. An evil stepmother, a lost shoe, and a bull all make appearances, in addition to some new surprises.

The Pear Tree is a story about three brothers trying to trap a morphing pear thief and their adventures rescuing princesses in an underground kingdom similar to Alice going down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland.

Finally, in the The Three Marjorams, like in Bluebeard and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, we find forbidden rooms, magical doors, gold rivers, and keys.

My Grandmother, me, & the book

My grandmother, Francisca Emília Araújo, lived in Praia do Norte, Faial, Azores Islands, Portugal during the twentieth century, and was known in her community as a storyteller. When she came to stay with us at our house in the city (Horta), we always would ask her to tell us stories. There are three stories that I remember best: Snow White or Mary of the Wooden Dress, The Pear Tree, and The Three Marjorams. I was 14 years old when she died, but her stories always stayed with me. Later on, when I was an adult, I wrote them in Portuguese, then translated them into English

These stories help to define and maintain our culture as well as to bring magic into our lives.  And like my grandmother Francisca, I told them repeatedly to my friends, my children, and now to my grandchildren.  They continue to be engaging and eternal.