Greece
231
Artzanidu, Elena (text)
Gribas, Basiles (illus.)
Me lene promis (My name is Promis)
Athena : Psychogios, 2006. – 35 p.
(Batomuro; 23)
ISBN 960-453-061-5
Otherness – First day at school – Immigration – Cultural difference –
Xenophobia – Integration
A little Nigerian girl tries to find her place at her new school in Greece. At
first, not all of the pupils in her new class are particularly friendly, let
alone willing to include her in their various activities. However, with the
help of her teacher and some of her more open-minded classmates, she finally
finds new friends and starts feeling at home and happy without having to do
anything special. This story is inspired by everyday reality, in which it is
often very difficult for immigrants and their children to be accepted and to
smoothly adapt to their new lives in a foreign country. (7+)
232
Bakale-Syrogiannopulu, Philomela (text)
Syrogiannopulos, Thodoros (illus.)
Pulia kai Augerinos (Pleiades and the Morning Star)
Athena : Patakes, 2006. – 23 p., [6] p.
ISBN 960-16-1724-8
Friendship – Love – Self-confidence
Reminiscent of an ancient myth, this fairy tale tells the story of how the
straw hearts of all scarecrows come to life and how, subsequently, fear
vanishes from the birds’ hearts. The modern tale about Pleiades and the
Morning Star reminds us of a folk tale because of its animism and the way it
approaches nature. The story is accompanied by full-page colour illustrations
mainly in shades of green and blue. The vivid pictures perfectly animate the
animals, plants, the sky and nature in its entirety. (6+)
233
Balase, Zoe (text)
Zampeles, Petros (illus.)
To pselotero mpalkoni tu kosmu (The highest balcony in the world)
Athena : Hellenika Grammata, 2006. – 41 p.
ISBN 960-442-704-0
Cruelty – Megalomania – Isolation – Tyranny
A cruel, envious, and vain king, who couldn’t care less about his subjects or their problems, decides to build the tallest palace that ever existed with walls so high that nobody and nothing will be able to enter it. When the huge building is finally finished, the isolation that the king experiences proves to be his worst punishment. However, the proud ruler doesn’t have any idea that his greatest disappointment is yet to come: Soon, he discovers that, above the highest balcony of his castle, swallows have managed to build their nest, thus defying the purpose of the extravagant building. This modern literary fairy tale, following classic fairy-tale models, presents its parable-like message in a beautiful metaphorical language. (5+)
234
Barella, Angelike (text)
Barbaruse, Leda (illus.)
To piato tu Alexandru (Alexander’s plate)
Athena : Portokali, 2006. – 27 p.
(Ta megala ton mikron; 2)
ISBN 960-666-404-X
Hunger – Solidarity – "Offer
In a very affectionate way, the author of this story sensitises child readers to the difficult issue of hunger. Well aware of the fact that children themselves naturally won’t be able to solve the problem of hunger in the world, the author’s aim is to make children aware of the problem, make them empathise with the people in need and maybe even inspire them to come up with various ways of showing their solidarity. The large-format colour illustrations visualise in an imaginative way how the protagonist of this story tackles the moving topic in his own child-like way. (6+)
235
Kliapha, Marula
Mythoi kai thryloi tes Thessalias (Fables and legends from Thessalia area)
Athena : Kedros, 2006. – 261 p.
(Ephebiko mythistorema)
ISBN 960-04-3126-4
Local history – Legends – Folk traditions
The fables and legends from Thessalia (a region in central Greece) retold in this collection will deeply touch its readers. They introduce them to an abundance of traditions and make them get in touch with this region and its rich past that nowadays is often ignored or neglected. The book provides excellent material for teachers who are eager to prepare an exciting journey into local Greek history for their young pupils. However, the album will also fascinate older readers who can still remember a time when life was full of companionship, action, concern, and expectations; a time when people still believed that ordinary life has the ability to bring forth miracles every day. (8+)
236
Psychogyiu, Demetra (text/illus.)
He mygdalia kai to phengari : paramythi aphieromeno sto pio omorpho proino tu kosmu (The almond-tree and the moon)
Athena : Ankyra, 2006. – [28] p.
ISBN 960-422-480-8
Unselfishness – Dedication – Love
One strange winter night, while »hanging around« on the sky as usual, the moon casts a look down on earth and spots an almond-tree. Feeling extremely charmed by the tree and drawn towards it, the moon decides to come down and whisper its secrets to it. The almond-tree listens to the confession with wide open branches and hugs the moon very tenderly, careful not to hurt it. In a poetical style, this fairy tale touches upon the theme of unselfishness, dedication, and love. The text is accompanied by atmospheric illustrations created in a technique that has its roots back in the Byzantine tradition. (4+)
237
Pulakes, Petros (text)
Papatsaruchas, Basiles (illus.)
Ho autos (He)
Athena : Kastor, 2006. – 23 p.
ISBN 960-7906-66-7
Otherness – Mutual help – Autism
He, the little turtle, perceives the world in his own unique way. None of the
other sea turtles understand his behaviour and so they finally reject him.
Only when they manage to enter his shell, do they start to see how he thinks
about the world and to appreciate the numerous things they can learn from him
because of his peculiar way of experiencing reality. Using a symbolic, simple
animal story, the text and pictures of this book take readers to the world of
autistic children, a world that has not yet been thoroughly explored and is
often misunderstood. True, it may seem frightening simply because it is
unfamiliar and foreign to the readers, but it proves to be a world full of
emotion and sensitivity. (7+)
238
Sarantite, Helene (text)
Mpacha, Maria (illus.)
He nychta me ton helio (The night with the sun)
Athena : Kastaniotes, 2006. – 28 p. + CD
ISBN 960-03-4297-0
Christmas – Love – Hope
Little Sarah lives in a small village near Bethlehem with her grandma. She has
no parents: Her father was tortured to death by Roman soldiers and her mother
abandoned her soon afterwards. Nevertheless, while playing with her little dog,
the girl always dreams of finding her mother one day. One starlit night, Sarah
sets off on a magic journey to meet her. She reaches a cave and is welcomed by
a woman reminding her of her mother and by a few shepherds who are in the
midst of preparing a luminous celebration that will change the girl’s life.
This original and tender Christmas story, written in a very poetic style, is
accom-panied by a CD with the story read by the author herself. (5+)
239
Stephanide, Photeine (text/illus.)
Kati Paraxeno apopse symbainei (Something strange is happening today)
Athena : Libane, 2006. – 87 p.
(Paidike bibliotheke)
ISBN 960-14-1330-8
Classic heroes – Imagination – Love for reading
One night, when everybody has fallen asleep, little Panos goes on a magnificent and unique journey. His wonderfully rich imagination and deep love for fairy tales serve as the vehicle for his imaginary travels. During his adventurous trip, he meets the beloved heroes of all the classic fairy tales and finds the opportunity to make witty and unexpected observations. This inspiring, original story is framed by dynamic mixed-media illustrations that often involve unusual perspectives. (5+)
240
Tasaku, Tzeme (text)
Griba, Elle (illus.)
Ta xylina paputsia tes Xanthes (Xanthe’s wooden shoes)
Athena : Papadopulos, 2006. – 52 p.
(Pteseis junior)
ISBN 960-412-564-8
Otherness – Simplicity – Emotion
Written in an inspired and cheerful style, this book tells the story of an
unusual girl. Xanthe lives out of doors together with her tortoise Virginia, a
she-wolf called Wolf (clear references to Virginia Wolf, Tzeme Tasaku’s
favourite writer) and twelve wooden shoes that her parents had left her. When
a prince comes looking for a bride, the headstrong girl decides to present
herself before him. She does not want to get married, however, and neither
does she want to wear fancy glass shoes. Rather, she firmly believes that »otherness
means knowledge« and therefore, wearing her wooden shoes, she swirls around
with the prince in the best of all dances! This literary «anti-fairytale» is
full of humour and imagination. (7+)