Xylarakis
Yet another highly successful book from the two award-winning creators.
Xylarakis has lived in a tree for a very long time, with his wife and their three children for company. One day, a dog playing with Xylarakis will lead him away from his home, and his great adventure will begin! And as one episode follows another, the distance from his home grows… until he even ends up in a fireplace, ready to be consumed by the flames! Lost and alone, Xylarakis wants nothing more than to find his family and spend Christmas together. Will he manage to find his way home?
Xylarakis is an unforgettable story about a great adventure that tenderly reflects the importance of family and the need we all have to spend the Christmas season with our loved ones.
Donaldson’s rhymes are a delight, and Scheffler brings the animals, people and their surroundings to life in his clever illustrations. This book has the makings of a classic Christmas story.
Publishers Weekly
Scheffler’s appealing illustrations, combined with Donaldson’s irresistible rhyming text and its short repetitions, make this book a successful read that will be enjoyed even after the Christmas holidays.
Kirkus Reviews
- Pages: 32
- ISBN: 978-960-572-067-4
- Publication: 2016
- Dimensions: 22x27
- Categories: Childrens' Books, Χριστουγεννιάτικα
"...A fairy tale about family love, warmth, strength and selflessness. A magical fairy tale, food for thought, for creativity, about those obstacles that one must not let defeat them. A Christmas fairy tale with a difference!"
– Eleni Betinaki, Saturday’s Fairy Tales"Julia Donaldson writes the adventures of the Little Woodman, whilst Scheffler illustrates them in his own unique and unrivalled style (which has endeared him to readers young and old) a story about the value of family and love and the importance of spending Christmas with one’s loved ones."
– Zoe Koskinidou, Red Fox"...Xylarakis’s adventurous journey, the Nostos, his return to his own Ithaca, to Penelope and his children, coincides with the changing of the seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter), Christmas, our deepest needs and the way we see ourselves reflected in others..."
– Apostolos Pappos, Elniplex.com"...A sweet story that can be read over and over again with pleasure. Until little lips repeat this sweet story like a poem. The ideal Christmas book for children aged 4–7..."
– Aliceonboard.gr"...This precious book is an opportunity to emphasise to children that the Christmas celebrations will bring us all together!"
– Suzanna Papafagou, Talk"...A book by two award-winning creators. Alex Scheffler (known to us all from our much-loved Tick and Tella) and Julia Donaldson bring us the very tender story of the little log, who has lived in a tree for a very long time with his wife and three children."
– Angeliki Boziki, EimaiMama.gr"...Another wonderful story from the well-known writing duo, featuring a kind family man who strays from the tree where he lives and risks turning into... ash."
– Newpost.gr"...A tender story from Ikaros Publications, written in rhyming verse with recurring lines... translated by Filippos Mandilaras, about the need to be with your loved ones, especially at Christmas..."
– Two Boys and Hope Blog"...The surprise, however, that awaited us there in the chimney of the house, just before Mr Xylarakis was about to be used as kindling, brought a smile back to our lips! It was Christmas Eve! It couldn’t be, Mr Xylarakis had to return home!"
– Mama's 'n' Papa's Blog"A gripping story, full of suspense… with an ending that will delight you!"
– Angeliki Lalou, childit.gr"...A sweet story about the importance of family and the strength we draw from our love for it. A Christmas adventure with wonderful illustrations and rhyming verses."
– Dora Andreadaki, parents24.gr"...As long-suffering as he is stoic, as tiny as he is resilient and adaptable to adversity, Xylarakis will survive the moment of greatest danger thanks to his innate goodness. Goodness, it goes without saying, comes back to you, even in the most unexpected way at the most unpredictable moment."
– Eleni Georgostathi, Once Upon a Time, Little Eleni"...Children will adore this rhyming Christmas story, which is both funny and tender, with its vivid illustrations!"
– Phoebe Lekka"...We read it and reread it, and it sparked some brilliant discussions: about what family means, what makes us feel safe, how we would react if one day we went missing, and so on. And the boys had the idea of making their own little wooden man! Yes, yes, they decided to bring this wonderful character to life! So grab some small pieces of wood, leaves, glue and paper and get started yourselves!"
– Magda Zindrou, Every Day Parents"...A story that celebrates the courage, perseverance and hope that the love of our loved ones fills us with. The longing to be close to them, to share our lives with them and to find meaning in every day through our shared existence..."
– Angeliki Efstathiou, Children’s Books Blog"...The moment I held this book in my hands, I knew I had found my Christmas (and not just Christmas) hero for this year. Xylarakis’s story struck a chord, stirred family memories and awakened the child within me, filling the moments of reading it with smiles and tenderness."
– Evi Tsitiridou-Christoforidou, The Magical World of Children’s Books:Axel Scheffler
Axel Scheffler was born in Hamburg, Germany. Although he was good at drawing, he had never imagined a career in illustration until he won a purple stuffed cow in a drawing competition.
In 1982, he moved to England to learn English and study illustration. He has illustrated many books, and in 1993 he began collaborating with the famous children’s author, Julia Dolantson.
Their book *The Gruffalo* became a global success and was adapted into a television cartoon in 2009.
His books have been translated into 42 languages. He lives in London and has a young daughter.
