Control measures for circulation of the textbook for teaching reading and writing in São Paulo: the role of the 1918 reviewing committee

In order to contribute to the understanding of the history of the teaching of reading and writing and the history of political movement of textbooks in Sao Paulo, Brazil, we present the results of the analysis of the documents produced by the Review Commission Textbook, established in 1918 by the General Board of Education of São Paulo State. This commission aimed to review which books among the already approved by previous committees, should continue as recommended for use in elementary schools in São Paulo. For this, the commission has prepared various reports, which are representative of the actions of the state government to control the circulation and use of textbooks in elementary schools in the early twentieth century.