Greece
230
Autzēs, Merkourios
Ostrako sta malliā (Shell in her hair)
Athēna: Psychogios, 2008. – 295 p.
(Neanikē logotechnia)
ISBN 978-960-453-340-4
Greece/History – Everyday life
A seashell serves as the link
between four girls and mark their lives in different ways: symbol of
communication and strength for the inhabitants of the prehistoric hamlet of
New Nikomideia, the shell later becomes source of inspiration for the
creation of Macedonian King Philip the Second’s helmet and the headdress of
the women of Roumlouki, and finally ends up as a rare museum artefact.
Filinna, Verino, Chrisavgi, and her great-great-granddaughter Avgi, come to
know, each in their own time, what destiny has in store for them. The Greek
region of Roumlouki is their playground and the setting for them to
experience battle, war, hate, love, and romance. In this fluid four-part
novel, the readers come to know the everyday lives and times of four
unforgettable female characters embracing life, love, as well as to
understand their struggle for survival, prosperity, and progress. (12+)
231
Barella, Angelikē (text)
Baburē, Eliza (illus.)
Mia paraxenē mera (A strange day)
Athēna: Metaichmio, 2008. – 45 p.
(Diabazō istories: 7+)
ISBN 978-960-455-426-3
Nature – Environmental awareness
»Nobody will ever forget that
day. No one could describe what had happened. Young and old stood in the
shopping mall and could not believe the evidence of their own eyes. It was
really unbelievable!« What would happen if Nature decided to express itself
in a different way and to make fun of people in order to rouse them to
thinking and action? This novel is about what would happen if Nature got
angry because of people abusing it and thus, on the 5th of June – when
celebrating World Environment Day – decided to »play« with them in a
non-injurious way. The animals are the ones who first take action to make
those people think who, still being indifferent, go on torturing Nature
through their behaviour. Elisa Babure’s illustrations complement the text in
a lively way. (7+)
232
Benierēs, Manos (text)
Gusēs, Spyros (illus.)
Super gatoi, supa skuloi (Super cats, useless dogs)
Athēna: Minoas, 2007. – 205 p.
(Synchronē logotechnia gia paidia)
ISBN 978-960-699-642-9
Animals – Human behaviour
What might happen when a house
cat falls in love with a stray cat? How many times can a dog detective be
disguised within half a minute? Can your parrot arrest two bank- robbers? In
this novel, full of adventure, emotion, and action, the animal protagonists,
struggling for their survival, show all kinds of human behaviour. The book,
which can be read by readers of all ages, is a journey into the world of
dreams and shows a satirical panorama of our times, relaying a number of
social messages. (Greek Women’s Literature Company Award; 2007) (10+)
233
Denezakē, Liana (text/illus.)
Papabenetiu, Errika (text)
Phraules, batomura kai treis stagones meli (Strawberries, raspberries, and three drops of honey)
Athēna: Libanēs, 2008. – 59 p.
(Paidikē bibliothēkē)
ISBN 978-960-14-1833-9
Healthy food – Fairytale
Everything goes well in the
Land of Rosy Pleasure, whose inhabitants live care-free, laughing, singing,
and celebrating all the time. As long as the pyramid, which the first Fairy
Queen offered to the Rosy Blood King centuries ago is kept safe, nobody has
to be afraid of anything. However, the Triglyceride Witch, using her magic
filters and getting help from the evil Fat Guy, manages to destroy the
general bliss. The sky darkens, the gurgling waters of the rivers do not
flow anymore, the inhabitants of the kingdom sleep all day and night, the
houses are covered with cobwebs, and children are not happy anymore. The
Chickpea Prince and his beloved friend Rosy find a way to save their land.
This tender literary fairytale for children indicates in a funny way the
value of healthy food. (7+)
234
Mpogdanē-Sugiul, Despoina (text)
Chadulu, Katerina (illus.)
Musikat – ena teras angiōtiko apo ta alla (Musicat – a monster unlike the others)
Athēna: Minōas, 2008. – 30 p.
(Mikroi anagnōstes: 7+)
ISBN 978-960-699-678-8
Music – School
Timoleon – although thought to
be fearless – is scared to even think of the new music teacher at school. He
imagines her as a monster wearing a pointed black hat where a wild black cat
dwells. The rumour has it that Musicat – the music teacher and the heroine
of this story – is a strange and strict teacher, but things seem to be
different as soon as the children get to know her. Musicat, as well as the
magic of music, finally give the children occasion to feel love and
happiness. The author, a music teacher herself, has written a particularly
tender story so as to help children to overcome their fear of music.
Katerina Chadulu’s expressive illustrations liven up the story and add an
extra dimension. (7+)
235
Papatheodoru, Basilēs (text)
Mpulumpasēs, Petros (illus.)
To megalo taxidi tēs kinezikēs papias (The great journey of the Chinese duck)
Athēna: Kastaniōtes, 2008 – 150 p.
(Neanikē bibliothēkē; 244)
ISBN 978-960-03-4692-3
Sea – Journey – Mystery – Ecology – War
This book, full of adventure,
mystery, suspense, humanity, and ecological worries, is based on a real
event. In 1992, the cargo of a trade ship – 28,000 yellow rubber duckies –
was dispersed in the rough seas of China. Fifteen years later, the ducks –
faded in colour by the sun and having travelled all around the world drifted
by the sea currents, make their appearance somewhere near the English coast.
During all those years, a number of scientists, exploring the secrets of the
sea currents, had been observing them. In this book, the readers discover
the secrets of an imaginary duck that accompanies the plastic ducks. In a
lively and elegant way, the author makes the readers companions on this
strange journey. The protagonists – although imaginary – seem just as »real«
as the facts within the framework of this unpredictable story. (10+)
236
Petrobits-Andrutsopulu, Lotē
Ē prophēteia tu kokkinu krasiu (The red wine prophecy)
Athēna: Patakēs, 2008. – 295 p.
(Synchronē logotechnia gia neus)
ISBN 978-960-16-3028-1
History – Peace – Love – Romance
Seventeen-year-old Olga, hurt
because of her boyfriend’s indifference, follows her father on an excursion
to the legendary Byzantine city of Meleniko that today belongs to Bulgaria
and is named Melnik. There, her acquaintance with Pavlos, a young university
student, initiates an exciting journey to her ancestors’ lives from the
beginning of the nineteenth century up to the Balkan Wars, when thousands of
Greeks left as refugees. This excursion also signals the beginning of a new
love. The two levels of narration complete each other, linking the past to
the present. The alteration of narrators makes the recital of historic
events extremely interesting, while it also offers a variety of tone. The
language is fluid: simple when narrating historic events, but lively and
colourful in dialogues; poetical in descriptions, but succinct when voicing
indirect judgements. The author conveys the historic events in a unique way,
while her novel is also inspired by contemporary intercultural thinking.
(12+)
237
Remundos, Giannēs (text)
Dēmos, Chrēstos (illus.)
Pente meres pu synklonisan to spiti mas (Five days that rocked our house)
Athēna: Psychogios, 2008. – 174 p.
(Xinomēlo; 36)
ISBN 978-960-453-348-0
Family – Animals
Stavros’ teacher asks each
pupil to write an essay about an animal. Unsuspecting of the consequences of
his decision, Stavros chooses to write about mice! But how could he write a
whole essay about an animal that he has never in his life seen or closely
observed? Fortunately or not, it is during these days that a real mouse
appears in the flat of the Stavros family. Mum is shocked, Dad keeps cool,
while Stavros seizes the opportunity to write an exciting essay. In this
way, the Papadogona family experiences five shocking days chasing the
four-legged visitor. In this crazy family adventure, written in an
extraordinarily humorous way, both the protagonists – two parents, three
children, two cats, and a big mouse – as well as the extras who participate
in the plot, guarantee the readers will laugh their heads off.
(11+)
238
Various authors (text)
Various illustrators (illus.)
Mila mē phobasai.
3 istories gia tē bia sto scholeio (Don’t be afraid!)
Cholargos [Athena]: EPSYPE, 2008. – 67 p.
ISBN 978-960-87296-5-0
Bullying – School
Elina torments Isidora on the
school bus. Nikos takes away Giorgos’ glasses because he supports a
different football team. A »bad guy« who is jealous of his sister
intimidates everybody at school in an effort to make his parents pay
attention to him. A conspiracy of silence deters everybody from sharing
their problems and asking for help. How can they be convinced to talk? In
this book, authors, illustrators, educators, and scientists offer three
stories, accompanied by illustrations and activities, through which children
can discover themselves and under-stand situations they have experienced at
school or at home. Children will enjoy the book, and it can also be-come a
tool in educators’ and parents’ hands, contributing to preventing violence
and bullying. (8+)
239
Zarampuka, Sofia (text/illus.)
Physika s’agapo (Of course I love you)
Athēna: Kedros, 2008. – [58] p.
ISBN 978-960-04-3759-1
Friendship – Environment – Love
Through simple sketches as well as a tender text, the author and illustrator of this book addresses herself directly to the heart of young readers about issues that will surely stir their interest in the future, such as environmental issues, topics about nature as well as the feeling of love cultivated by ecological awareness. All this happens in an amusing way, keeping the readers alert every single moment because of the adventures that the two protagonists of the story go through. The story concludes when a clumsy, unskilled, and eager boy who has never been kissed tries... to kiss! In this way, he will make friends and everything will change. (6+)