‘To the sky and back’. That’s how much Ellie loved her grandmother, ‘and three somersaults!’.
Together, they always had a brilliant time!
Everlasting love is never lost, no matter what happens.
It is sustained and strengthened by the most beautiful memories.
A tender, moving story about how our loved ones
remain in our hearts like the most precious treasure.
Alexia Vernikou, Psychologist and Family Psychotherapist, and the award-winning illustrator Sofia Touliatou, have created an exceptionally tender fairy tale about love and loss that will leave no one unmoved.
- Pages: 32
- ISBN: 978-960-572-188-6
- Publication: 2017
- Dimensions: 26 x 24 εκ.
- Category: Childrens' Books
"...This book, thoroughly authentic and moving – describes, word for word, image by image, emotion by emotion – exactly the stages we all go through – young and old alike – in order to come to terms with reality, however harsh it may be."
– Red Fox"...Alexia Vernikou’s story is moving, true, tender and precious. How do you cope with such a serious loss when you are a child? When the answers don’t fill the days, the void, when hugs don’t fill the emptiness. A story which, although it deals with such a difficult human subject as death, has an optimistic side."
– Eleni Betinaki, Saturday’s Fairy Tales"...Alexia Vernikou has written a book about loss, choosing to speak to children about death through her story in a straightforward and direct manner. And personally, I believe that this is exactly how we should speak to children, especially on such topics!"
– Georgia Souvatzis, Debop"...Moving, true and full of love, the book _To the Sky and Back_ describes the meaning of true love with incredible honesty."
– Eirini Demirtzoglou, Artharbour.grA fairy tale about loss – Interview with Alexia Vernikou by Aristotelis Spiliotopoulos.
– Glow.gr"...Alexia Vernikou writes a deeply moving story which, through clear, unvarnished realities, conveys the power of love and, without embellishment or mysticism, confronts death with that very same power: love. A beautiful book on a subject that frightens and troubles young and old alike more than any other."
– Anesa Kolombou, Elniplex.com"... This fairy tale will help us answer the countless ‘whys’ and ultimately cope with the loss of our loved one with optimism."
– Paixnidaki.com"... *To the Sky and Back* tells us a beautiful and tender story. It reminds us how important the relationship between children and their grandparents is. It teaches children (and reminds adults) that the cycle of human life is finite and that this does not change."
– Eleni Vlachou, Bright Side of Mom"...The book speaks to the reader about loss with honesty and directness, and the words flow easily, without fear. And so, together with Elli, we are called upon to understand this difficult event that has taken place. However much death pains us by taking a loved one away, it cannot take something very important from us. The memory of the person who has left our lives. Because our thoughts and memories find a place in our hearts and remain with us for the rest of our lives."
– Magda Zindrou, Every Day Parents"...The book by Alexia Vernikou and Sofia Touliatou addresses loss and death using cheerful colours and bright words."
– The Magical World of Children’s Books"...happy memories give great strength to life. They are there when you feel down, when you lose heart; they are there in times of disappointment and show you once again the way to believe in life and its joys."
– Sofia Alexiou, Debop.gr"...Alexia Vernikou helps us explain to our children why people die and what happens afterwards. A book that will serve as a valuable guide to answering all their questions and helping them cope with loss, should it ever come knocking at our door. And it does so in a tender and utterly understandable way. The illustrations by Sofia Touliatou are also exceptional, with expressive faces that betray their emotions and an optimism that radiates through her drawings."
– Angeliki Boziki, Dimart Blog"...Alexia Vernikou builds the relationship within the book, making us part of this love, before she speaks to us about loss. Grandmothers and grandfathers are a big part of our childhood. Most of us grew up with our grandparents whilst our parents were working, or at least spent some weekends with them."
– Maria Soubert, Theathinai.com"...This is a thoroughly moving, authentic book that overflows with love and emotion! Beyond the beautiful relationship it describes between a grandmother and her grandson, it guides parents on how to deal with loss and helps children understand that when someone leaves us, they remain in our hearts forever. Because, in reality, eternal love is never lost, no matter what happens."
– Fairies and DragonsAlexia Vernikou
Alexia Vernikou studied psychology and art therapy in the USA and worked as a therapist in schools and rehabilitation centres in New York.
Returning to Greece in 2004, she specialised in Systemic Family Therapy.
In 2008, she co-founded the My Playce pre-school centres. Since then, she has been working as a psychologist, providing counselling to parents on issues relating to children and everyday family life.
In 2015, she completed the ‘Merimna’ Training Programme on managing loss and grief in children and adolescents.
She is the mother of Nefeli and Amalia.
Sofia Touliatou
Sofia Touliatou graduated from the Graphic Design Department of the Technological Educational Institute of Athens.
She works as an illustrator, mainly of children’s books, and has received commendations and awards (Eleftherotypia’s comic magazine ‘9’, Greek Children’s Book Circle, Greek Graphic Design and Illustration Awards (EBGE), State Illustration Award, SLA UK).
Her work is published in England, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, America, Australia and South Korea. Since 2010, she has been represented by Advocate Art Illustration Agency. Find out more about her here.
