The playground

Silan has arrived in his new homeland. Every morning, he leaves the reception centre and goes to school, taking his box with him. He has a wonderful time there: he plays with the other children, draws, learns music, but he does not reveal to his classmates – however much they insist – what is inside his box. When, at the end of the story, its contents are revealed, Silan’s friends – and the book’s readers – will feel deeply moved and take great joy in it. A book by two award-winning authors that tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time with great sensitivity and tenderness, leaving a sweet sense of optimism.

Antonis Papatheodoulou and Daniela Stamatia present the original story of Amalia. The young heroine slips into the bustling street market, where a small child’s voice is unlikely to be heard at all. However, something quite different is about to happen. Sometimes, all it takes is to believe in the beauty hidden in everything you have to say. And then your voice, in a magical way, will not only be heard, but without anyone realising it, will inspire others to take a small step towards something of their own, something more beautiful.

What can you do with a book? In this book, Stavroula Pagona and Daniela Stamatiaidi suggest many ideas and uses for our favourite books. A short guide to books, with little Eddie guiding us through the pages so we can discover books in ways we’ve never imagined before!

I want prawns! I want the swing over there! I want chocolate, I want a patterned bike, I want ice cream, a funfair, a scooter, chips, a little horse, a pony, I wanttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt …… what do I want? In her new book, the award-winning author Daniela Stamatiaidi sheds light on a particularly familiar situation faced by all parents: every day, they have to manage their children’s endless demands and desires. But what lies behind the endless ‘I want’s’ of children, and perhaps of adults too?

BZZZZZ… -But why has it chosen to come now? -Where on earth did it come from? -Help, it’s going to sting us! The geography lesson is interrupted by an unexpected intruder: an insect suddenly flies into the classroom, turning everything upside down! The sound of its wings reveals the rare, passing visitor. But what is a bumblebee doing in the classroom? Angelos Aggelou and Emi Sini join forces with Daniela Stamatia and together they create a wonderful story full of surprised, enthusiastic and restless BZZZZ!

Panos Christodoulou and Daniela Stamatia have created the most subversive Christmas story through the eyes of a funny cat, Captain Jim! What’s it like when a tree with no roots comes into the house and is suddenly decorated with colourful baubles, ribbons and fairy lights? Come and explore each of the decorations with Jim. It’s sure to be the most unforgettable Christmas ever!

Neither Kostis nor Diamantia are at all keen on the idea of spending their summer holidays in the mountains. Boring! But the blue waterfall, the breathing cave, the gold at the roots of the ancient oak tree, and the haunted watermill await them… And Silouani will show them the paths, turning every day into a new adventure. Silouani is my first novel for children and teenagers. It all began with a letter given to me by my pupil Silouani on her last day at primary school. ‘This, sir, is for you,’ she said, looking me straight in the eye. I don’t know how many times I read it. And then I began wandering around the mountains near Edessa and Panagitsa, searching for answers to those wonderful questions children ask whenever they put their thoughts down on paper. And so the story of Silouani and the ‘children of the mountain’ was born; they may be imaginary heroes, but they live in places that are entirely real. – T.P.

A group of children play every day in a playground. Their parents don’t understand why they like it so much; to them, it looks old and ordinary. ‘But it’s magical!’ say the children. Could that really be true? Only if they play there themselves will they understand… A book about the magical world of imagination and joy, which knows no age!

A group of children play every day in a playground. Their parents don’t understand why they like it so much; to them, it looks old and ordinary. ‘But it’s magical!’ say the children. Could that really be true? Only if they play there themselves will they understand… A book about the magical world of imagination and joy, which knows no age!