Earlier this week, we shared how lucky we are to have enthusiastic participation and brilliant talent from all over the globe–specifically from our authors and diverse book reviewers from Greece. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Global CoHost, Agatha Rodi, we continue to be able to round up an amazing array of multicultural children’s books that most likely have never been seen US book lovers and diverse book readers.
You can find Part One of this “across the pond” book-inspired fun from our valued Greek Diverse Book Reviewers, supporters, reviewers, authors, and publishers HERE.
Enjoy!
Greek Authors and Diverse Book Reviewers Share | Part 2
Βάσω Κατσαρέλια- Συγγραφέας reviews Between Two Worlds by Glykeria Kakouri
When young Maria hears her heart knocking loudly after walking at her village’s celebration, she understands that her 
life wouldn’t be again the same. The negro roving seller is the unexpected dream of the hard reality, which she should face. Being confused between two worlds, she must make a decision about her life. However, she ignores that fate has dark plans for her. Years later, when her son refuses her love and her grand daughter’s life will be in danger because of the bombing substances, a young negro appears again in her life to show her that the past is still alive and the old wrong actions are waiting for their justification. “Between two worlds” is a romantic and middle-grade book for children aged 10+ and teens alike.
Author Peggy Fourka reviews The Big School and With The Wings of the Soul
Book title: The Big School
Author: Yiouli Migirou
Illustrator:Andriana Roussou
Editor: Psichogios Publications
Our beloved Yiouli Migirou under the psychologist’s hat and always driven by her dedication to motherhood was inspired to write a sensitive story which is related to the transitional period between Kindergarten and Primary School.
The story is about a little girl named Panagiota referring to her anxiety about the first day in Primary School which in the story is called the big school. The fear for the unknown, the agony of coexistence with older kids, the subject’s difficulty, create a very demanding environment for little Panagiota and her fellow students. The presentation throughout the narration is so vivid that the reader is getting into the children’s shoes and actually feels their agony and heartbeats.
Panagiota is sharing with us her experience while she is preparing for the first day at Primary School, until the early days at “The Big School”. Her teacher, her fellow students, and her family play a crucial role, to help her adjust to the new surroundings.
The illustrations of Andrianna Roussou are delightful! The colorful and expressive characters are giving life to little Panagiota and the book will be very attractive to young readers
Yiouli,our beloved author is ending the story with valuable pieces of advice in order to guide parents to organize their children’s tasks and ensure a healthy balance between studying and leisure time, which will further help them as grownups in their lives.
Yiouli Migirou was an extremely talented and sensitive author. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for her valuable contributions through her remarkable work. Our love, admiration, and respect will belong to her through eternity!
Book title:”WITH THE WINGS OF THE SOUL”
Author:Betty-Beatriki Magrizou
This novel is presenting a lot of important and sensitive issues. The talented author is going into the paths of a mystery thriller, while at the same time she is exploring the paths of a social novel, in which she has great experience. The story is about a fifteen years old girl, full of dreams and aspirations.
Peggy Fourka is no stranger to children’s publishing. She has illustrated more than 200 books and has written a number of children’s fictional stories, including “Adventures on the Island of Bullies,” which was a best-seller in Greece and Cyprus and was produced into a theatrical play in 2015. The book and musical taught children about friendship, love, and respect. Fourka’s latest book “Heaven’s Alphabet”, also published by Psichogios Publications, focused on the alphabet through Christian faith. In 2018, Fourka fulfilled another passion when she started teaching Byzantine Iconography to children. Mrs. Fourka and her husband Michael, enjoy spending time with their 9-year-old son, George, who is not only the artist’s inspiration but brings the color into her life.Demetra Socratous Reviews Dad in a Cage
Book Title: Dad in a Cage
Author: Demetra Socratous
Illustrator: Efrosini Mavrou
The book I am reviewing, “Dad in a Cage” written by Demetra Socratous, consists of a special and touching story, that refers to parents’ imprisonment. Danae is the little protagonist, who faces difficulties and her needs have to be taken into consideration while her father is in prison. The writer’s goal has to do with the girl’s expectations and challenges regarding life.
In this particular story, the readers familiarize themselves with issues related to social alienation, the need for keeping the family bonds while a member’s imprisonment; the sentimental as well as the psychological burden that accompanies the children and the whole family once a member is in prison. There are also references to the difficulties related to the imprisoned member’s social integration, his daily life in the community.
Danae, the protagonist, expresses in the best way the feelings of a child having her father in jail. Children can surely answer their queries regarding imprisonment and talk openly on an issue which is considered as a taboo.
The writer emphasizes the meaning of friendship and support we receive from other individuals, especially in such a hard time following the imprisonment. Finally, the story, sends another strong message, that of forgiveness since “Forgive means I release anger, injustice, bitterness from inside me and I am in peaceful terms both with myself and the others around me”.
BIO
Demetra Socratous is a primary school teacher, a drama facilitator, a human rights and peace trainer. She has obtained her degree in the Science of Education and a minor degree in French Studies from the University of Cyprus (2004). She received a Master’s degree in Drama and Theatre in Education (University of Warwick, 2007) and a second Master’s degree in Arts and Culture Management (Rome Business School, 2017). She was the Coordinator of the ‘Youth and Culture’ Workshop of Pafos 2017 Cultural Capital of Europe, as well as the co-Coordinator of the Cyprus Youth Network of the European Cultural Parliament. A short video on her voluntary work has been posted on the European website for the European Year of Volunteerism 2011.
She writes tales, short stories, and poetry, which have received prizes both in Greece and Cyprus. Her first book “Mary and the White Pea” deals with the topic of childhood cancer. Her poetry collection “Truths, Dreams and Peace” was nominated for the Cyprus National Children Literature Award 2017 and was awarded by the Cyprus IBBY – Cyprus Association of Children’s and Young Adults’ Books (2016). Those two books were awarded “Books of the Year 2017” at the 8th International Literature Contest by the Greek Cultural Association of Cypriots (Athens, 2018). Her latest children’s book is Dad in a Cage.
glukeria kakouri reviews Polichromes Haroumenes Steges
Author: Vaso Katsarelia Illustrator- Publisher: Anatypo Thessaloniki 2018
This fairytale with the organized plot, a simple style, and direct speech, accompanies the strength of a child to reveal 
alone and at last to realize by herself that we must accept the responsibilities. We should correct our mistakes with the same magic way that we may play with the stars one night. A beautiful little girl, good and strange, learns that the sky has his own rules in order the day to follow the night, the sun to follow the moon and we should enjoy their colors in any case. The fairytale ” Polichromes Haroumenes Steges ” Published for the first time in 2018 from Anatypo Publishers, in Thessaloniki. Mrs. Vaso Katsarelia writes fairytale and poems since she was a child. She has received numerous awards in literature competitions. Her big love for the books motivates her driving force for all that she makes.
Marianthi Papadi reviews With the Wings of Hope
written by Marianthi Pleioni
PUBLISHING HOUSE: ROES
With the Wings of Hope, is a poetic collection both for little kids and grown-ups too! Even if the book addresses ages from 5 to 12, the adult readers, are touched, too, by the magic that is unfolded in every page. Words, woven in an exceptional way, are transformed into a poetic collection, like a carpet, the travels in the world of love, kindness, hope, and dream. That is a world, absolutely made by joy!
Twenty-five little shiny gems are found in each page separately, taking form, through the 
illustrator’s amazing work, Athena Petouli, who treated the lyrics in such a way, giving life to them. The writer is also lucky for having such a talented illustrator to make her treasure, shine through the illustrations.
The book travels us to the four seasons in each page, offering us all their goods, their celebrations, their colors. Autumn is wrapped in purple and orange and welcomes rain, arm in arm with the rainbow, quenches the soil’s thirst after the summer heat, a winter in white, so smooth in the Christmas love, a blow minding spring, roams in the green fields, starting the dance with April and May with the flowery adorned boys, and a blond summer smelling of sea salt.
Their company grows, becomes more beautiful, laughs once they travel around the neighborhoods of the world, on a magic bike having Peace as a rider, they will be found in the sweet city’s places, to dip into the honey, with syrup and whipped cream!
Tired they lay down on the cotton clouds, a dream of travels to the moon, in the blue sea and at the city of stars.
If you love the travels of the words, tied with the words, then this poetry collection «With the Wings of Hope» will surely offer that gift to you in an abundant way.
Marianthi Pleioni reviews I talk… about letters
Writer: Marianthi Papadi
Illustrator: Fouli Mitsiali
Publishing House: NIKAS
As colors spread around, the words entangled with toys in those whose hands denote they are still kids, at heart. The brushes got the taste of milk chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Somewhere in all these colors and joy, unlocked the drawer with kids’ smiles and created the book “I talk… about letters ”
When you must talk to kids for letters, you need a different way to use, ore playful so as to attract their interest. In this book, there is an innovative scheme. The alphabet letters come alive, become persons, have a certain job that starts with the same letter, the letters have things to do, they have their own life.
The book welcomes us in a world full of pleasant scents and light. Poems written in a clever, playful, with inventive lines, are the accomplishes of the letters’ short stories. These poems echo like crystal water and are as many as the 
letters of the Greek Alphabet, contributing to the learning process with their joyful lines.
The illustrator’s imagination created the amazing pinkish colored pictures that spring from every page. It is all about the joy of learning and assimilation of each letter without pressure, or urge. The learning process could be described as a treat that kids can’t wait to taste and once they do the smile is over their faces with impatience, too.
The book is appropriate for kids with learning difficulties, especially because of the creative stories that come to life, traveling the little readers to the path of the fairy tale, wherein a magical way, knowledge, and learning pour out and invite you to their celebration.
Another advantage of this publication has to do with the CD, offering supportive exercises for each letter, while the sound of each letter is heard in the right way, for better consolidation and assimilation.
Demetra Socratous reviews RINO the Precious Balloon
Author: Zoe Papadakis
RINO the precious balloon was written by Zoe Papadakis, a children’s author, poet, and kindergarten school teacher, born in Greece. The book has been published by PNOI Publishing House in 2018. It addresses the special topic of diversity and specifically, the need for respect and acceptance of diversity. Furthermore, it highlights the power of self-confidence, self-appreciation, and self-acceptance to promote social change and unity.
The talented author manages to playfully approach this difficult issue through a joyful story taking place in the Balloon’s City. A city full of beautiful, colorful and impressing balloons. Rino, the protagonist, is in contrary presented as a really small, yellow and kind of an ugly balloon, bullied by Teris, the biggest balloon at school, because of its diversity. Rino, supported by his kind mother and his faithful balloon friend Renia, passionately dreams of being accepted and respected by his classmates.
A group of evil balloons, led by the naughty big balloon Teris, keep bullying Rino, mocking him ‘Little Yellow Lemon’. His sensitive and wise female balloon friend, Renia, is aware of Rino’s trauma, shame, loneliness, and fear. Moved by Rino’s unfair and horrible mistreatment, he proposes him to participate in a Balloon’s Talent Contest in order to prove his great personality and singing charisma. RINO is initially motivated by his strong will to remove shame and restore his honor and thus decides to take the risk and participate in the Balloon’s Competition. Lack of self-confidence and self-appreciation make him change his mind and refuse to present his music talent. During the Contest, an unpredicted tornado threatens the Balloon City and the balloons’ lives. RINO finds the courage to stand on stage and sing powerfully in order to be heard by all, calling the balloons to come closer to each other in a balloon bouquet and hence save themselves. RINO is finally accepted and acknowledged as one of the most precious balloons!
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHERS/ PARENTS
The children are initiated through storytelling in the Balloon City, taking on the role of various impressing balloons. Role play activities, still or moving images in groups, and improvisation might be applied to promote empathy and reflection on the story’s basic components: Rino in front of the mirror; Rino’s talk with his mother; Rino’s talk with his friend Renia; Rino’s bullying by Teris; Rino’s singing on stage; the balloons congratulating Rino, etc. Furthermore, writing under the role of Rino or his mother or his friend Renia or Teris (e.g., in the form of a letter) promotes further understanding and decision making. Children might also work on creating, writing and presenting a real balloons puppet theatre based on the story. Children might also acquire knowledge and participate in emerging argumentation on the topics of diversity, unique identity in the context of the rich social mosaic. Moreover, they may create their own drawings or posters or informative material promoting respect to diversity addressing their peers or their communities.
Demetra Socratous is a primary school teacher, a drama facilitator, a human rights and peace trainer. She has obtained her degree in the Science of Education and a minor degree in French Studies from the University of Cyprus (2004). She received a Master degree in Drama and Theatre in Education (University of Warwick, 2007) and a second Master degree in Arts and Culture Management (Rome Business School, 2017). Demetra is a youth leader and active member of various socio-cultural organisations. She was the Coordinator of the ‘Youth and Culture’ Workshop of Pafos 2017 Cultural Capital of Europe, as well as the co-Coordinator of the Cyprus Youth Network of the European Cultural Parliament. A short video on her voluntary work has been posted on the European website for the European Year of Volunteerism 2011. She is currently a Heritage Youth Ambassador of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage. She writes tales, short stories and poetry, which have received prizes both in Greece and Cyprus. She published three children books: “Mary and the White Pea” (on child cancer); the poetry collection “Truths, Dreams and Peace” (nominated for the Cyprus National Children Literature Award 2017; awarded by the Cyprus IBBY 2016), “Dad in a Cage” (on parental imprisonment).
Greek author, Zoi Fragou, reviews fellow authors Sotiria Kirmanidou & Eirini Tsachouridi
ThePearl Star of Love, by Mrs. Sotiria Kirmanidou, a masterpiece, poetic text by a distinguished Greek writer, which highlights the boundlessness of love, its authentic existence, but also the different, parallel worlds we often see not only occasionally, unfulfilled love but also within ourselves, when our wants conflict with our needs, when the social environment protects us and we follow, ignoring our souls. A poetic drama, but given such a rigorous mastery, emphasizing that the true love that is tested by the difference between the light and dark world is far beyond touch, kiss, beyond our need! Love truly has glory and splendor, is self-sacrificing, and reaches its highest point through the love and happiness of others!
The book raises issues such as diversity, the meaning of love, truth, personal happiness and social adjustment, acceptance, forgiveness, self-knowledge and more generally the meaning of life itself!
A hymn text on love and life itself. A book that is addressed to everyone, young and old, a personal soulmate of the author and of each of us! Reading is a look in the mirror of our souls, a small but meaningful account! A further revision and renewal of love vows!
It opens up masterful topics of discussion with each reading audience, of philosophical context, since philosophy is the ultimate science as it touches on questions of life!
Ideal for high school and high school kids, great for elementary school kids, given in the right way. Love without borders!
REVIEW BY ZOI FRAGOU
FOR EIRINI’S TSACHOURIDI BOOK
‘STORIES FROM A MAGICAL KINGDOM’
“Stories from a Magical Kingdom” is a book that combines fairytales and a journey into our self-knowledge!
The book includes five stories, the stories of five people who live in a magical kingdom. A princess, a young boy, a girl with many wishes, Iliana and Vaiola are the heroes of this book! All of them face a unique
challenge and enter an adventure through which they discover things that could not imagine!
This book is full of magic and stories that can capture the attention of the children and spark their imagination. However, the book, in addition to its interesting stories, provides one more opportunity both to children and to adults. It can act as a tool of self-knowledge and self-improvement. Behind every adventure and magical item or situation, there is hidden advice and the reflection of a hidden inner obstacle.
I really enjoyed reading this book, as I realized its two levels, the realistic and the symbolical. Through this symbolical level, the author transmits psychological messages to children and helps them understand that the real magic is inside us! Every kind of magic can be activated only by our inner powers.
This book can help children, parents, and teachers build a new perspective and find the heroes of the book inside them.
How the book is presented…
According to the author of the book, this book is, in reality, a book of self-knowledge and self-improvement both for children and for adults. However, the author opts for not presenting psychological messages directly, but indirectly through magical stories!
As such, five stories compose the book! Five stories that can be read separately, as well as in combination.
This book has the potential to be incorporated into the classroom and can help teachers transmit messages to their students through an entertaining and inspiring way.
Eleni Dikeou reviews MARY, THE MOTHER OF OUR LORD, TRAVELS WITH CHILDREN
by ANGELIKI MASTROMIHALAKI
Mary, the Mother of our Lord, travels with children, a novel by Angeliki Mastromihalaki.
Despina, Marios, Maria, Panagiotis, Panagiota, Vangelis, Evangelia, Myrto, travel with their family to Tinos. As it is usually the case, they meet each other on their way there. At first, they talk about the seagulls, the pigeons and the wonderful pigeon cotes of the island of the Virgin Mary, Tinos. Following the statement of Panagiotis that he has only heard his teacher talk about the Virgin Mary, the other children start telling 
him what they know about the Mother of our Lord.
As the ship travels to the island, through the children’s narratives, the life of Our Lady unfolds from her birth, which gave her elder parents so much joy, to the Annunciation and the Nativity of Christ, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and finally the Dormition of the Virgin Mary. The narrative comes alive with dialogues between each narrator and his listeners, who one by one recall their life incidents in which they felt the protective presence of Our Lady, proof that she never left us. That is why, as Our Lady also asked of the Apostles, we do not mourn but celebrate her Dormition on August 15.
This holiday, this summer’s Easter, as it is known, will be celebrated by all the friends of that journey, the heroes of Angeliki Mastromihalaki’s book, each of which the author has symbolically given one of the many names of the Virgin Mary. They will consciously celebrate because they know about the Virgin Mary and the reasons we honor her, and through their own stories, they will invite all children to feel the same.
Eleni Tasopoulou Reviews O Thalassosfyriktis by Dionysis Leimomis
Author:DionysisLeimonis
Illustrator: Demetra Psychogiou
PUBLISHER: ARTEON EKDOTIKI
Agathi lives in the Waterland, and every summer her cousins Simos and Michalis come to spend their vacation time together, next to the quiet lagoon that surrounds the place. This year they will enter its mysterious and magical world, knowing the place as they have never imagined. WithStrati’scompany, a lonely child who both rows his boat in the reeds and rules his life, having him as their guide; they experience amazing adventures, encounter elements of nature and at the same time, they will discover nature’s 
grandeur and beauty.
Their experience will be unique, not moderated within the context of easy means, the ones they are used in having thanks to technology. They have to face fear, they struggle to find solutions, they get to know each other, with a melodic way of communicating with nature, using another language of communication the one that Stratis knows. They discover a new world, asking not to lose it again.
DionysisLeimonispresents in a unique way, a totally different story than the ones we know, leading the readers to nature, from which we have been separated up to a great degree(so leading, where? )
His writing style is flowing and incorporates in a harmonious way the fishermen’s vocabulary, travels us to the quiet waters of the lagoon, takes us with him for pyrofani, catching fish with the use of a lamp at night, allowing to the magical world of the lagoon bottom to be revealed in front of our own eyes. Weareintroducedtounknown creatures of the wetland, fish, and birds, it guides us to the fishermen’s huts and their daily life. The journey is wonderful, dreamy and realistic at the same time.
Demetra Psychogiou with her illustrations, supports with a balance the text, using amazing colors to present the sky, the sea, they inundate the pages, while the fishermen’s struggle is depicted in every detail, with strong, clear lines. A fabulous book for children and readers of any age, too.
Evangelism Gitsa reviews The Very Distinct Chromosome 21
Writer: Epi.N.Michi-Zeggou
Illustrator: Theodosia Kostika
Publishing House: Parents and Friends Association of Children with Down Syndrome
“The Swan”
The Very Distinct Chromosome 21 is the writer’s effort to promote understanding of the social issue of Down Syndrome.
It is written in a way so simple that children will be informed that Down Syndrome is just a chromosomic difference. Through a fairytale that starts with a social event, the day of Dorothy’s christening, our little heroine Myrto comes in contact for the first time with the difference of a baby on the day of her Christening.
Known for her directness and honesty, the author chose a little girl in order to express the concerns of both the close family environment and the society when it comes to the difference of a child born with Down Syndrome. Little Myrto curiously observes how different the baby with Down Syndrome, little Dorothea who is being christened, is.
Myrto is overwhelmed with many different bittersweet feelings and questions just like the rest of the guests. Her mother used a very vivid narration within that same story, a fairytale within the fairytale, as one may say, sheds light on the important issue of Down Syndrome.
She refers to the 46 little chromosome-men and what happens when one of them, the 21st, does not follow the rules.
In a very simple and substantial manner, the author offers the medium that allows all children to realize what Down Syndrome is.
At the end of the fairytale, both parents and children, through games as well as the conversation that sparks due to the questions and answers provided in a unique appendix at the end of the book, have definitely understood all about the very special 21st chromosome, and they have even loved it.
Epi N Michi-Zeggou was born in 1969 in Larissa, Greece. Mother of three, she is a veterinary surgeon. She entered the world of writing with her essay “Journey into the World of Dementia” written in her father’s memory as an effort to help inform people and support families experiencing the problem of dementia. On the occasion of this essay, she presented a paper in the 9th Panhellenic Congress of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (Thessaloniki, May 2015) entitled Dementia as Seen through the Perspective of the Caregiver. The rights of the essay have been conceded by the author to the Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders “Alzheimer Hellas”. She has also established an online support team for patients with dementia
In 2015 she launched the present fairytale The (Very Distinct) Chromosome 21, also granting the rights to the Association of Parents and Friends of People with Down Syndrome of Thessaly “The Swan”. Without ever having the experience of Down Syndrome in her close family and relatives, The (Very Distinct) Chromosome 21, is her personal effort to raise awareness and promote understanding for a sensitive and serious social issue as the Down Syndrome The fairytale, My Grandpa and Mr. Alzheimer is her third book with many more to follow!
EPI MICHI -ZEGGOU reviews Anasemio and Her Friends by Evi Gista and To Santalaki (The little sandal) by Eleni Anastasopoulou
Anasemio lived in a castle!
A witch, a well-known witch that not a single spell could tell!
Alone and so different, her suffering broomstick rides, she puts her magic ribbon on her hair and a different journey begins!
The crab, with its strange purple calves and the bright orange color, wants to become something else, like a seabird, and fly into the sky. But he too does not know that he is a rare harlequin crab! And the threatening cat, which everyone is afraid of him, is the rare and famous wild boar of Europe that people love and protect. Her friends at Anasemio, with her damaged broomstick, fly high, reach the stars and the moon and learn much and most important of all, no matter how different we will find something to join us!
A doll will be the companion of a child on the road of the forced and violent escape from his homeland. At the most difficult time, in the middle of the turbulent sea, the doll falls into the waves to save her friend from the dragon of the sea bottom. In thechild’s hands remained only the little sandal of the doll. The boy was desperate.
Will he see the lost doll again?
Will he wear her the sandal to come back to their home?
The doll will become the reason to find a friend in the new homeland and the sandal will become the symbol that will unite them. The two children wish: The enemies to become friends
Peace to have all the earth because every child has the right to grow up in his home safely, in a fair world, with friends and games, in a world without violence and poverty. When their wish will be a reality they will live well and all together in a better world.
Theofanis Theofanous reviews Titus and Alexander the Great by Maria Brastianou
Illustrator: Christos Gousidis
Publishing House: Ellinoekdotiki
On the occasion of a cheerful dialogue between a bat and an owl, which live in the Monastery of Agia Anastasia, Farmakolytria, the yarn of glorious Greek history during the time of Alexander the Great, spins. We also get to know religious personalities whose lives and unwavering faith have given courage to thousands of people over the centuries, and even up to the modern era. We as readers become one with the dozens of families who visit the Monastery sharing the real treasures of life: unconditional friendship, kindness and good manners of behavior, hospitality without demanding anything in exchange for those in need, and the institution of the family through a system of ideas and values. The writer Maria Brastianou was very clear in what she wanted to say through this novel. She didn’t create any cracks, she didn’t leave unanswered questions. She made no use of any kind of trick to mislead or confuse students. She combined elements of folklore, highlighting religious and cultural wealth. “Titus and Alexander the Great” is a worthy story that grabs the reader’s attention.
We live in times when freedom means liberation. It is advisable to provide students and teachers with books that unfold our ancestors’ efforts to survive and preserve our spiritual culture. This book is a true gem.
Bio
Maria Brastianou was born on the island of Thassos but grew up in the city of Thessaloniki where she currently lives with her three children. Her childhood is full of images and experiences from both the sea and the unique Continental nature, though her ancestry. Her great love for children led her to become an Educator of Preschool. She always had and still maintains the belief that the right foundations and a lot of love at this tender age are essential for children’s mental development. She spent more than seven years with the Sunday groups, organizing educational programs for kindergarten and elementary school children; using visual creations, implementation of theatrical and musical events, fairy tale adaptations, Puppet theatre, and speeches. Thus, this great love for children also overflowed on paper in the form of children’s books.
Maria Mprastianou reviews From One Moment to Another Unexpected Great Joy by Theofanis Theofanous
From one moment to another, unexpected great joy”! It’s a poetic collection addressed to preschool and school-aged children. Mr. Theofanis Theofanous using the haiku technique in an intelligent and playful way helps children to understand and love poetry! Drawing themes from the natural environment he drags us into a joyful fist! Riding on a bicycle we travel to a fantastic seacoast, we take rabbits out of our hats lying on a pillow that leads us to the moon! While from grandmother’s pot the smell of cinnamon, sugar and pumpkin scents the whole place! We hear the cats jumping on the covers hunting mice while we drink orange juice on the terrace counting stars. Witches and elves are thrown out of the books and swallows, dolphins bats and canaries complete the party. Lavender scatters its aroma and a daisy brings dew drops to the bees. A rose, a poppy, and a jasmine flower teach us the alphabet’s love. In this crazy dance, ants follow beating the tambourine
Regardless of its size and it may be the smallest kind of poem its meaning explodes in our mind like a firework full of aromas, colors, emotions, and excitement!
It’s a great honor and also an exciting adventure participating as an author and as a reviewer in Multicultural Children’s Book Day!! I would like to thank Agatha Rodi for the opportunity and the invitation!! The book I am about to present for this special day #ReadyourWorld is called:
BIO
Mr Theofanous is an exceptionally intelligent man and poet. He is the father of two beautiful daughters. He was born in Cyprus but raised in Athens. He studied in Akmi, Domi and Athenian educational institutions. Completed a cycle of writing art seminars in the National Book Center. One of his most important literary distinctions was the “ Homer price “ from the Association of Bavarian art and Greek culture, a poetry price from Heaven Music, a poetry price from Keratsin science and culture art company, children’s poetry price from the Greek Writers Association, and many more!
Agatha Rodi reviews Vassiliki, the magical Echo of Epidaurus’s by Zisis Papaioannou
Book Title: “Vassiliki, the magical Echo of Epidaurus’s”
Writer: Zisis Papaioannou
Illustrator: Velisaris Bourdos
Publishing House: SIDERIS, 2019
Vassiliki is a girl who dreams about her own echo in the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, known for its stunning engineering, and acoustics. 
During her dream, she gets to know the Theatre’s poignant dynamics, through the harmony of its architecture, she explores its structure along with the presence of echo, depicted as a young lady. The dreamlike situation functions as an apocalypse for Vassiliki because it is both enlightening and revealing for her own self.
The Epidaurus Theater located within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios, engenders sentiments of owe and queries to little Vassiliki, the fact that her own echo can be heard from any part in the Epidaurus Theatre, makes Vassiliki wonder whispering, “How can this be possible? How can this be possible?”
She stands in the middle of the stage and experiences the exceptional feeling of her own echo bouncing back. Even when Vassiliki wakes up in the middle of the night, the echo accompanies her and enforces her desire to travel again in these magical places as she did in her dream.
Zisis Papaioannou, uses the technique of poetic flow in his book and offers the chance to the reader to travel in the Epidaurus Theater and join his own echo along in a journey of self-discovery and initiation in opening his soul to all possibilities of the magic world of the unknown but “seen” with the eyes of the heart and those of belief.
The illustrator Velisaris Bourdos, with his beautiful colors and shapes leads the reader to immerse in the Epidaurus scenery where echo unfolds her figure and guides little Vassiliki, in a subtle palette of colors, with the sun to prevail. The Ancient Greek Theater’s Echo along with Vassiliki’s expressive looks, transfer the reader to a magical world, the one that the visitor can sense in Greek Archaeological sites where ancient beliefs and modern reality seems to overlap, making the unseen, not a state of mind but a state of truthful existence.
BIO
Agatha Rodi is not only a long-time supporter and ambassador for Multicultural Children’s Book Day, but she is also a Global CoHost!Her educational background in teaching students with learning disabilities has given her a broader spectrum from which to approach various learning techniques and expand teaching strategies. She sets up individual teaching programs both in English & French language. What she enjoys most is writing stories that will encourage students to embrace their imperfections, and ignite their spark.
“Multicultural Books is the best way to promote literacy while embracing language and culture. She considers them as the sole medium to help students respect similarities and understand differences. She believes writing comes from the heart and children’s personal experiences can only transform the world we live in. Current projects involve the setting up of Greek Children Read and Write, a challenging initiative to connect Greek Children around the globe, exchange Greek culture’s uniqueness and promote diversity in the way children see it.”
Connect with Agatha via her Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Eleni Tsaldiri, Author-Illustrator, reviews The Giantheart by Sofia Sopiki Gramozi
I am both delighted and honored to present Sofia Grammozi-Sopiki for Multicultural Children’s Book Day, 2020 , as an author and reviewer! Thank you Αγαθή Ρόδη (Agatha Rodi) for the invitation to participate! This is “the book I was gifted to review for the event.
Book Title: The Return of “Giantheart” King.
Author: Sofia Grammozi – Sopiki
Illustrator: Lela Stroutsi
Publishing House: Saitis
The Return of “Giantheart” King
Once upon a time, a King called “Giantheart” lived in a beautiful town full of gardens which were famous for its healthy vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Thanks to his pure love for the habitant’s everything was in total harmony. The King’s assistant, called “Zizanios”, a tiny plant, was always clever, energetic and helpful to his King. Suddenly, everything changed when Mr. Fastfoudios and his assistance Mr Konservita turned up.
Discussion Questions:
How will the children help their town?
What will the future of the plants be?
How will we manage to avoid the disappearance of the real seeds?
How will climate changes influence our crops?
What is the tinned food made from?
How healthy is our food nowadays?
How has “junk food” affected our bodies?
Unfortunately, we can easily answer all these questions, but we cannot avoid the negative consequences caused to our body by the daily consumption of junk food.
About Eleni T
I was born in Evia, a Greek island, full of fishermen. I studied painting for four years in the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, at Emilio Vedova’s
legendary studio. After my studies in Italy, I returned to Athens where I studied Printmaking in the School of Fine Arts. My love for children’s picture books led me to attend the MA in Children’s Book Illustration in Cambridge School of Arts (prof. Martin Salisbury) which was made possible with a scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation of Greece. My work experience of over fifteen years as an Arts’ Teacher in primary schools has influenced both my artwork and my stories which have an educational character. My main goal is to create books which through joyful experimentation will bring the children close to a moment from the history of art. My first series of arts educational books titled “Contemporary Greek Artists” was published in 2011 by Livanis Publishing House. The three-book series introduces children to the work of three prominent Greek artists: Dimitris Mytaras, Yannis Moralis and Kostas Tsoklis. In April 2013 the second series of three arts educational books titled “Learning the colours: The blue cloud, The red soup, The green party” was published, again by Livanis Publishing House. These books are the development of my master’s degree project where I created three little stories about a boy (based on a prehistoric Cycladic figurine from Ancient Greece) who through his daily adventures creates inadvertently a “mess”. In my recent projects, I have experimented with fabrics and embroidery while my technique evolves from the figurative pictorial to the sewn abstract printmaking images.
ONE MORE THING
Show some social media love while marketing your book (or an author you admire) in a creative and far-reaching way!
Multicultural Children’s Book Day Social Media Shout-Outs
Our Social Media Shout-Outs has escalated in popularity over the last few months because folks see that it an affordable way to show some online love to their own work, an author they admire, or a book they admire. MCBD Social Media Shout-Outs also acts as a fundraiser for this non-profit.
Multicultural Children’s Book Day Social Media Shout-Out =$25 (sale price good until 2/28/20)
Anyone with a PayPal account can gift an online “shout-out” to an author friend who has a kid’s or YA book with a diversity theme OR use it as an effective tool for their own book marketing and book promotion.
Using a custom image created by the MCBD Team, we will provide one share/post our Twitter feed (over 13.7K followers) on our Instagram Feed (over 10.500 followers), within our Multicultural Children’s Book Day Private Facebook Group (over 1500 Members) and our Facebook page (over 4K followers) as well.
That’s a LOT of eyeballs!
AND, right now, everyone has a chance to lock in a Social Media Shout Out at the $25 rate before the price goes up on March 1, 2020. (Purchasers have 30 days from the date of the Shout Out purchase to redeem their purchase).
GO HERE to get more details, see more samples of past Shout-Outs, and to purchase your own Social Media Shout Out to honor someone in the world of diverse books for kids and teens! #ReadYourWorld
Sunita specializes in working with bilingual children and works at a national level to promote the advantages of learning two or more languages which is her passion.
