Out of stock
Silán’s Box
Shortlisted for the 2018 Reader’s Literary Awards
(Category: Illustrated children’s book).
(Category: Illustrated children’s book).
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.
- Pages: 32
- ISBN: 978-960-572-156-5
- Publication: 2017
- Dimensions: 26 x 24 εκ
- Category: Childrens' Books
"...Award-winning author Alkistis Halikia joins forces with the distinguished illustrator Daniela Stamatia to create a treasure of a book that rightfully deserves a place in every child’s library and in every child’s heart."
– Violeta Fotiadi, Artharbour.gr"...Love for what he left behind and for what he will discover in the future is contained in abundance in *Silan’s Box*, written by Alkistis Halikia and illustrated by Daniela Stamatia. A tender and optimistic story about the self-evident ingredients of happiness: friendship and acceptance."
– Eleni Korovila, Bookpress.grInterview with Alkistis Chalikia by Georgia Souvatzis and Debop, on the occasion of the book’s publication.
– Debop.gr"...We were moved by his story and filled with optimism! We realised that Silan is very brave and his heart is full of love! We’ve packed his story in our holiday bag because we want his box to travel even further! Because his story has so much to teach us, young and old alike!”
– Mamas 'n Papas blogWatch the interview given by Alkistis Halikia on the ERT1 programme “Together at the Weekend”, to mark the book’s publication.
– ERT, ‘Together at the Weekend’Among the 6 best books for the holidays.
– Alexandra Papadaki, Like Mother Like Daughter"...A tender fairy tale that certainly reflects reality and powerfully conveys a message of optimism and love. So unreservedly and with such childlike innocence that it sets an example for children, but above all for us adults..."
– Maria Liontou, Mommy Jammi"...A tender story and a wonderful book, one of those that teach our children empathy, respect for others, understanding and acceptance, and the strength we all harbour within us. We loved Silan and you’re sure to love him too."
– Two Boys and Hope Blog"The book *Silán’s Box* by the award-winning author Alkistis Chalikia is a very special book, written in a beautiful, tender style and with great sensitivity. It addresses a topical issue that concerns us all and which most children are certainly unaware of, or have not even realised."
– mylittleworld.gr"..._Silan’s Box_, one might say, was written through the innocence of a child, because the whole story is ‘crafted’ in the way children operate, who have the ability to think and act solely with the power of the heart. And that alone makes this book great and special..."
– Eleni Vlachou, Bright Side of Mom"...A wonderful book that moves, inspires and speaks straight to the heart. Read it with your little ones, connect with this little boy, and see the world through his eyes, empathise..."
– Shabby Mommy"...Alkistis Halikia creates a tender story with a refugee child as its hero. It could have been a sad story. It could have been. But it isn’t. It is a bright, optimistic story about a child who never stops hoping and trying."
– The magical world of children’s books"...I hold this book close to my heart and read it to my children, telling them that nothing in this world is a utopia. All we need to do is dream and put our words into action!"
– Magda Zindrou, Every Day Parents"...A book full of empathy that enchanted us, took us on a journey, and showed us once again just how important it is to empathise! To respect and wonder how those around us feel! A book that taught us how we should all have our own box, which we fill with things that help us to love, to smile, to cry, to feel sad and to feel everything that is happening around us!"
– Fairies and Dragons"...Refugeehood is such a difficult and sensitive issue; and migration, which by their very nature evoke feelings of sorrow, grief, anger and disappointment at the uprooting of people, yet not for a single moment does this wonderful book give rise to negative emotions. On the contrary, a sense of mutual acceptance, adaptation, friendship, mutual understanding and love pervades the entire narrative, along with a message of optimism and hope."
– Anesa Kolombou, Elniplex.com"...In Alkistis Halikia’s *Silan’s Box*, illustrated by Daniela Stamatia, Silas, the refugee boy, has a little secret that he hides in a bright red box and doesn’t want to share with his classmates at school. Nevertheless, a sense of solidarity forms around him like an embrace that protects him. On the day he returns to his homeland – the war has just ended and at this point the story seeks a quick resolution in order to survive in the eyes of the children – the box opens and a surprise awaits his friends."
– Konstantinos Hatzinikolaou, Kathimerini"...Dear parents, read this book with your children and give them a little box as a gift, with the wish that they fill it with all the things that will allow them to smile, to cry, get angry, love and, ultimately, exist and coexist, persevering and having the ability not to forget to respect and wonder how those around them and others feel..."
– Suzanna Papafagou, Talk"...The story moves adult readers, whilst enabling young listeners to engage with the themes of refugeehood and resettlement, the struggle to start a new life far from war, and what a child might feel when violently torn from their familiar surroundings and now trying to adapt to a new one."
– Zoe Koskinidou, Red Fox"...A book illustrated by Daniela Stamatia, whose characters, colours and images make it even more powerful. The figure of Silan is particularly striking. Unforgettable, simple yet very impressive. And what no one forgets, apart from the smiles, are those eyes—of all the children—which Daniela makes… speak! Optimism, joy and plenty of smiles for everyone who reads it!"
– Eleni Betinaki, Saturday’s Fairy Tales"...During the lockdown, I’ve been reading quite a few children’s books with my sons. It’s striking how children can approach the same book each time as something new or different. It is also repetition that has the power to soothe you. There are many choices, many good books. Recently, I read Alkistis Halikia’s *Silan’s Box* with them, a book about diversity and the power of inclusion."
– Niki Kerameos, In.grAlkistis Chalikia
Alkistis Halikia studied Philosophy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and undertook further training in Museology at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. Since 1996, she has been designing and implementing educational programmes for children in museums, monuments, libraries, and arts and cultural venues. Her books published by Ikaros include Silan’s Box (2017), Other People’s Shoes (2019), A School in Turmoil (2021), Like a Power Cut (2023) and August All Year Round (2025). In 2011, she won the State Book Award for Children’s Knowledge with her book In the Animal Park (Kaleidoscope Publications).
Daniela Stamatiadi
Daniela Stamatiadi is a graduate of the School of Fine Arts and works in Athens as a painter, illustrator and art teacher at private vocational training institutes. She has been illustrating children’s books since 2000 and has illustrated over 100 titles.In 2009, she received an illustration award from the Children’s Book Circle and, in 2012, a commendation from the Greek Book Publishers Association (EBGE), as well as an invitation to participate as Greece’s representative at the Salon du Livre in Paris. In 2013, she received two EBGE commendations and was honoured with a nomination for the international Andersen Illustration Award. In 2016, she received the Peter Pan Award for the best translated illustrated book from the Swedish IBBY.She has taken part in numerous illustration and painting exhibitions in Greece and abroad, and has been collaborating with the Frysira Gallery and Museum since 2010. She also held a solo illustration exhibition at Godland’s Art Museum in Sweden. In 2017, she served as a member of the jury for the Bologna International Illustration Exhibition. Abroad, she is represented by the Astound Illustration Agency.
