Adélia was born in Vila Cova, a small village in Penafiel, in the Porto district. The youngest of seven sisters, she grew up surrounded by stories told by her maternal grandfather — the first to awaken her love for imagination and words.
“The world of books compels me never to stand still.”
During her mother’s long absences — always working away from home — she found companionship in the animals that followed her: cats and dogs she would often hide and secretly feed.
She graduated in Early Childhood Education from the School of Education of Porto and naturally devoted herself to the world of words and childhood. This path led to the founding of Editora Tcharan, in partnership with illustrator Marta Madureira, and to the creation of Livraria Papa-Livros, now a meeting place for readers, authors and stories.
Q: How, when and in what context did Papa-Livros bookshop and Tcharan publishing house come about?
A: In November 2008, after years of teaching in several schools, I decided to open a space where literature could grow alongside its readers. That’s how Papa-Livros was born in Porto — a bookshop dedicated to children and young readers.
The opening had a very special guest: the writer Matilde Rosa Araújo, who became the bookshop’s godmother. Her presence marked the beginning of a project deeply connected to illustrated books. Since then, the bookshop has hosted launches, presentations and illustration exhibitions, always guided by the same mission: to believe that reading is a gateway to imagination and to help readers of all ages experience the magic of each page.
Two years later, in 2010, Tcharan was born — a publishing house mainly focused on picture books and children’s literature. The first book published was A Crocodila Mandona, and since then the catalogue has continued to grow.
The name came about spontaneously, among friends, ideas and chance. A challenge was launched to find a name, and it was ironically called “Tcharan!”. After many suggestions, I realised the answer had been there from the beginning — in the very word that started the game.
“Tcharan” stayed, and still reflects the spirit behind it all: wonder, discovery and the joy of the world of books.
Q: Of all your books, which one is closest to your heart, and why?
A: A Crocodila Mandona — it was the book that started everything. It led to the desire to create a publishing house with Marta Madureira and to continue telling stories with freedom and imagination. It opened the first door… and from there, many other doors — and stories — followed.
Q: What is the greatest privilege your professional activity brings you?
A: The greatest privilege is never standing still.
The world of books and culture keeps me constantly moving — meeting people I admire (and others I come to admire), crossing knowledge and learning every day. And in the middle of all this, it’s the friendships I build that give strength and meaning to my path.
Q: What would we typically find on your desk on a normal day?
A: Books — always a pile of books that changes from day to day.
A glass filled with pens and pencils, a Moleskine with notes and to-do lists, a mug of coffee or tea, my computer, my phone and, of course, my calculator. There are also apples and nuts — cashews, walnuts… small reserves of energy to keep ideas flowing.
Q: What led you to establish Papa-Livros in Bombarda in 2008?
A: I chose Rua Miguel Bombarda because it already had, at the time, a strong cultural identity, shaped by art galleries and their lively openings.
It was — and still is — an area where new aesthetics, design and creative thinking coexist, alongside shops and projects that breathe art and contemporaneity.
All of this resonated with the audience I was looking for at Papa-Livros — curious, sensitive and open to the world of ideas and imagination.
Portfolio / Work Samples
Title: Once Upon a Time, There Was a Dog
- Text: Adélia Carvalho
- Illustration: João Vaz de Carvalho
- Publisher: Tcharan
- Porcelain: Vista Alegre
Title: What is Family?
- Text: Adélia Carvalho
- Illustration: Gabriela Araújo
- Publisher: Tcharan
Title: Mário and the Freedom Train
- Text: Adélia Carvalho
- Illustration: Nuno Saraiva
- Publisher: Tcharan
Title: The Sun Doesn't Draw at Night
- Text: Adélia Carvalho
- Illustration: Pierre Pratt
- Publisher: Tcharan
Title: A Little Prince
- Text: Adélia Carvalho
- Illustration: Guridi
- Publisher: Tcharan
Q: How can we contact Papa-Livros and what products and services are available?
A: Papa-Livros offers book sales, illustration sales and a range of services related to the organisation and curation of literary and artistic events, such as literary festivals, illustration events, author talks, moderated conversations, storytelling sessions (in schools, libraries, etc.), book launches and illustration exhibitions.
They also organise study visits for secondary and university students, as well as for schools and kindergartens (from 3 years old), including storytelling sessions or illustration workshops. In addition, they host visits and talks focused on illustration and publishing.
Contacts:
Address: Rua Miguel Bombarda, 523, Porto
Phone: (+351) 220 931 549
Email: papa.livros1@gmail.com | encomendaspapa.livros@gmail.com
Website: https://papalivros.pt/
Q: How can we contact Tcharan?
A: Tcharan offers services in book publishing, graphic design production, book layout, artistic representation and commissions in illustration and writing, as well as creative writing workshops.
Contacts:
Phone: (+351) 220 931 549
Email: tcharan.editora@gmail.com
Website: https://www.tcharaneditora.pt/
