“This book recounts a fictionalized and tragic experience of fascist dictatorship, inspired by Portugal’s history. An imaginary dictator (clearly inspired by Antonio Salazar) demands blind obedience from the entire population even when his orders are insane and inhuman. Through the eyes of young Antonio, the readers feel in their bones what it means to live under a dictatorship that poisons every vignette and every page. The author manages to tell the story in an energetic style, with strong colors, expressionistic geometries and a liberating ending. This book is part of a series called “Missão: Democracia”, published by the Portuguese Parliament in 2024 as part of the many cultural initiatives celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution that occurred in 1974. The collection features 12 picture books, each by different Portuguese children’s writers and illustrators, exploring themes such as democracy and freedom as well as delving into how the national democratic system works. The collection aims to be an introductory path to the basic concepts of democracy aimed at young readers. Gonçalves’ comic book is an important title in our current times, demonstrating how a democracy can become a dictatorship in very short order, and educating young people in how to recognize the signs of fascism and fight for freedom.”