New Release
Cassandra Cook: The Dragon’s Handwriting
Illustrated by: Maria Baha
Eleven-year-old Cassandra never expected that her holidays would turn out to be the most incredible adventure of her life! When her grandfather, the famous archaeologist Sir Arthur Cook, is called upon to decipher the Dispelion inscription in Kastoria, Cassandra finds herself caught up in an incredible mystery. Together with Paris, Alexander and a small triton, who emerges from the waters of the lake, she will travel to times when writing was very different, decipher ancient symbols and hear legends of giant reptiles. A thrilling story full of riddles, discoveries and real scientific facts!
Author:
Eulampia Tsireli
Illustrated by:
Maria Baha
Edited by:
Manos Bonanos
Date of publication:
04/05/2026
Pages:
168
Dimensions:
14 x 21 εκ.
ISBN:
978-960-572-843-4
Publication:
2026
Category:
Childrens' Books
Age:
From 9 years old
What would happen if symbols carved thousands of years ago could still speak to us? If an ancient tablet hid secrets waiting to be deciphered, and if the key to revealing them lay in the hands of a child? In her new book, Evlampia Tsireli combines thrilling adventure with archaeology, the history of writing, and scientific knowledge. Set against the backdrop of Kastoria and starting from the enigmatic Dispilio Tablet, her eleven-year-old protagonist is swept away on a journey full of riddles, legends, and discoveries, where the past meets imagination
– Pepi Nikolopoulou, ΕλCulture...Tsireli offers us a rich, fictional interpretation of the markings on the Dispilio tablet, which was indeed discovered a few years ago. Drawing upon local oral traditions about the dragon's cave, she reminds us of our awe of the unknown, and our need for faith, exploration, and sharing with one another.
– Vicky Topouza, ElniplexThe story is exciting and fast-paced. […] I found myself getting as enthusiastic as a small child with the information I was learning about so many issues. […] While we learn so much, nothing distracts from the plot. It is designed in such a way that the information is used as clues to solve the mystery of the wooden tablet, so the reader collects it with the same eagerness. This demonstrates writing mastery and narrative skill, which is why the book is read in one sitting. […] An excellent book for ages 9 and up, and a very nice introduction for a child to become interested in science, history, and research.
– Vizantia Piriochou-Guy, Kokkini AlepouEulampia Tsireli
Eulampia Tsireli is an educator and holds a PhD in Biblical Studies and Religious Studies. She studies ancient civilisations, myths and languages that are no
longer spoken. She has been thinking up stories since she was born, writing them down since she learnt to read and write, and began publishing them in 2012. In 2014, she set up her own creative writing workshop, through which she coordinates collective publications. She loves the adventures of fiction as well as those of life.
Maria Baha
Maria Bahá was born in Athens in 1976. She studied Painting at the Athens School of Fine Arts and Theatre Costume Design at the Edinburgh College of Art. She has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions in Greece and abroad, has illustrated numerous books, and has designed sets and costumes for theatre and television productions. Among other honours, she has been awarded the State Prize for Illustration.
