In this book, which I co-authored with Maria João Freitas, we seek to raise readers' awareness of the consequences of overfishing and the adoption of more sustainable practices. We conceived an imaginary place, a fishing village, where all socio-economic activity is related to fishing. Once the fish disappear, the economy of this place collapses. Sadness and desolation set in. 

In this project, the greatest challenge was to create a fictional village and all its spaces, so that every detail was always consistent in all views, perspectives, and settings. I varied the viewpoints, distances, and angles greatly to make this fictional place tangible. The illustrations in the book also explore different narrative times, which are marked by contrasting colour palettes. 



2021
Os peixes que fugiram da história

Published by
Pato Lógico

Text by
Maria João Freitas

Graphic Design by
Pato Lógico

City
Lisbon


Translations
Complex Chinese
(2023, Les Gouttes Press)
Polish
(2025, )
Portuguese BR

(2024, Editora do Brasil)



Awards 
2025 Selected
BRAW Amazing Bookshelf - Sustainability, 17 goals for a better future. Bologna Ragazzi Awards. Bologna Children’s Book Fair

2023 Selected
Nami Island Illustration Exhibition. 



You can order the book here.












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© Mariana Rio 2010-2026