The project arises in the context of the Literature Path meeting, whose 20th edition takes place between June 22 and 24, in Pombal, where the first prizes selected by the ten experts who are part of the Observatory will be delivered, advances the municipality.

"We felt the need to leave a more scientific mark on the territory, through the meeting we held," Sónia Fernandes, head of the Culture Unit of the Pombal City Council, told Lusa.

The Literature Observatory is inspired by the Interdisciplinary Institute of Reading of PUC-Rio – iiLer/UNESCO Chair of Reading PUC-Rio, in Brazil, with which a partnership was signed.

"The idea was very interesting to develop here and has been maturing since the 18th edition," explains the person in charge. Now that the Literature Path meeting is part of its 20th year, it becomes a reality, awarding four distinctive seals to the best editions of the year and fostering "research with scientific support".

The intention is to invest in the study and sharing, to "deepen more issues" related to children's literature.

On the other hand, the agreement between the Literature Observatory and the Brazilian institute represents "a very large door that opens for national publishers and authors."

"The bridge that has been created with this project will allow us to bring Portuguese writers and publishers to Brazil, allowing the best access to that market, and the opposite will also be verified," explains the head of the Culture Unit of the municipality of Pombal.

From Pombal, it is expected to bring Portugal and Brazil closer together in this area of literature, as well as other countries of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

"So far it has been very difficult to get children's books there. We feel the need to know more, to know other authors", as well as to streamline communication channels.

"The literature in Brazil and ours are very related. The base is identical, but we can't have books. Ordering books to come or send is risky, because they either don't arrive or they get much more expensive," due to customs costs.

The new project also brings a breath of fresh air to the Reading Paths that, arm in arm as an Observatory, will be renewed this year. "We want new horizons, exploring new themes, maintaining our way of being and receiving", looking for "another disclosure that, so far, we have not had", concludes the responsible.

In this first year, the Reading Observatory received a total of 61 titles from 24 publishers and author editions. "We believe that for the year we will have many more publishers wanting to participate and many more titles in competition."

These editions were awarded the Caminhos de Leitura seal in four categories: ten "Distinction" awards to the "ten best books of the year"; 20 "Selection" awards, for "books that cannot be missed in any library"; a stamp "António Torrado - Honourable Mention", for the book that stands out in all categories; and also seal Brazil, "books of the distinction of the Seal Chair 10 – UNESCO Chair for Reading of PUC-Rio".

The winners for the first three categories are already announced, with "Caras", by João Pedro Mésseder (text) and Inês Oliveira (illustration), an edition of Xerefé Edições, receiving the seal "António Torrado - Honorable Mention", of prominence in all categories.

The awards are presented in Pombal, in a ceremony to be held on June 23, as part of the 20th Reading Paths.