Together
Iris Samartzi, Thodoris Papaioannou
Illustrated by: Iris Samartzi
Following the great success of the books ‘Anapoda’ (Penelope Maximou Award – Greek Children’s Book Circle, 2015) and ‘Apenanti’ (Public Bookshops Special Award, 2016), Thodoris Papaioannou presents ‘Antama’, his third fairy tale starring Melios and Melani!
In ‘Antama’, the two beloved beetles explore the unique world around them and discover how wonderful it is to share life’s everyday moments with a loved one.
- Pages: 36
- ISBN: 978-960-572-245-6
- Publication: 2018
- Date of publication: 10/07/2018
- Dimensions: 26 x 24 εκ.
- Category: Childrens' Books
"...Iris Samartzi’s illustrations are, once again, wonderful... The beauty of nature bursts forth on every page... You, too, get to experience special moments in the forest alongside Melio and Melani."
– Two Boys and Hope"...Focusing on the senses and sensory play, the author lets his beetles play with the water, taste honeysuckle and wild cherries, to smell the intense scents of flowers and spring soil, to climb and watch the sunset and the stars in the night sky. It is as if their lives are starting afresh, a different life, because now they will be together. Time will pass and winter will return. This time, however, the two beetles will choose to sleep together, in the same cave."
– Maria Soubert, Theathinai.com"...Full of life, with dialogue that stands out like handwritten notes between the narrative and the illustrations, as if they were dancing, the book transports you to a dreamlike world of unique beauty. It overflows with romance. As you turn its pages, you look, smell, hear, taste, and are transported through time and space… you feel every moment. With simple, measured yet intensely poetic language and great artistry, it draws you into the world of its characters; you live their moments and envy them… Because things are beautiful in their simplicity."
– Anesa Kolombou, Elniplex"...Melios and Melani skilfully demonstrate that even the ‘smallest’ moments in our lives take on a whole new dimension when we share them with someone we care for and love. They teach us to value every moment, to love life and those who make it beautiful!"
– Dora Andreadaki, Parents24.gr"...Thodoris Papaioannou writes for young children but speaks of the biggest and most important things. He shows us the path of love and joy, crystal clear, radiant, paved with emotion and poetry. He reminds us how important it is to set aside our egos, to approach others with a pure heart and to experience with them all those little, everyday things that we usually overlook."
– Amalia Moustaki, Aliceonboard.gr"...With few and simple words. Words full of anticipation, relief, companionship and a sense, when you close the book, that everything goes better when we are ‘together’. This is the path shown by Thodoris Papaioannou. At the same time, the wonderful illustrations by Iris Samartzi could tell the story of the protagonists without words, showing us the places they walked and the time that embraced them throughout their journey!"
– Fotini Zindrou, Every Day Parents"...A wonderful story, a hymn to love. A unique cycle of life that has it all. Changing seasons, scents, flavours, sounds, unique emotions. Theodoros Papaioannou made us love these strange insects very much. To feel with them the warmth of love, the beauty of sharing, the discovery of the beautiful, simple moments hidden in nature, in everyday life, in a good conversation, in a glance, in… moving forward together."
– Eleni Betinaki, Saturday’s Fairy Tales"...We came to love the author, Thodoris Papaioannou, through the stories of Melios and Melani a few years ago when we read 'Apenanti' and 'Anapoda'! The kind and lovesick Melios returns with the most tender story we’ve had the good fortune to read this year!"
– Mamasnpapas.gr"...Thodoris Papaioannou, with such a simple and accessible, beautifully structured and well-crafted story, using simple means and events, guided by companionship, love and respect for the uniqueness of the ‘other’ right next to us, has highlighted the importance and role of the ‘other’ in the life of the ‘one’, without pretence, without sermons on love or romantic tricks, and has guided his characters with confidence and naturalness to choose to live together. Together! So simply, so unassuming, so sweetly and tenderly, so skilfully, with just two little creatures, she created a beautiful world! A Paradise!"
– Eleni Choreanthi, Diastixo.gr"...The story reminded me of the simplicity of children’s relationships. They live in the present, treating every moment as something unrepeatable and, at the same time, unique. Full of rich emotions. Who, despite adversity, always see the positive side and are happy with that! They are happy together."
– Marianna Koumarianou, The Magical World of Children’s BooksThodoris Papaioannou
Thodoris Papaioannou was born in the city of Essen, Germany, in April 1966. From a very young age, he has been a regular visitor to schools, either as a pupil or a teacher, and writes stories and fairy tales. He loves music, the theatre and walks in the woods. He lives in Edessa, amidst rivers, bridges and waterfalls. He has written fifteen books for children and teenagers, two of which have also been published abroad. *From the Beginning* (Ikaros Publications, 2020) is his first novel for adults.
He has received the following awards:
• The ‘Penelope Maximou’ Award from the Greek Children’s Book Circle (2015) for his book *Anapoda* (Ikaros Publications)
• The 2016 Public Bookshops Special Award for his book *Apenanti* (Ikaros Publications)
• Children’s Literature Book Award from the 2018 Anagnostis Literary Awards for his book Silouani (Ikaros Publications)
• Public Bookshops Special Award 2019 for his book Antama (Ikaros Publications)
His complete works and overall activities are presented on his official website: www.thodorispapaioannou.com