Silouani
Illustrated by: Daniela Stamatiadi
Children’s Literature Book Award from the 2018 Reader’s Literary Awards.
The award-winning author of the fairy tales ‘Anapoda’ (Penelope Maximou Award – Greek Children’s Book Circle, 2015) and ‘Apenanti’ (Public Bookshops Special Prize, 2016), presents his first book for older children, creating the most subversive young adult holiday read!
The award-winning author of the fairy tales ‘Anapoda’ (Penelope Maximou Award – Greek Children’s Book Circle, 2015) and ‘Apenanti’ (Public Bookshops Special Prize, 2016), presents his first book for older children, creating the most subversive young adult holiday read!
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.
- Pages: 228
- ISBN: 978-960-572-173-2
- Publication: 2017
- Dimensions: 14,2 x 21,3 εκ.
- Category: Childrens' Books
Among the 6 best books for the holidays.
– Alexandra Papadaki, Like Mother Like Daughter"...This novel is truly a window onto nature, and I must admit that I haven’t been so captivated by ‘mountain adventures’ since I read and reread Papantoniou’s _The High Mountains_. This book is equally suitable for both young and adult readers."
– Kostas Stoforos, Literature.gr"...Silouani is a novel that isn’t just for children and teenagers. When you read it, you are transported back to your childhood, and Silouani is your friend; she is you, she is your childhood for those of us who were lucky enough to live and play in the dirt and up in the trees. It captures the worries, fears and joys you experienced as a child."
– Kaiti Paraskeva, Elniplex.com"...A book written with sensitivity and respect for people, animals and nature. A book that captures the author’s love for Edessa and its beauty. A book in which children and teenagers will recognise a part of themselves and enjoy it."
– Maria Diakantoni, Mommy Jammi"...Thodoris Papaioannou has opened a little door to nature for us. A reason to put our mobile phones aside, switch off our computers and virtual games, and enjoy a holiday in nature. Even the most sea-loving readers will be enchanted by the images; they will long for them."
– The magical world of children’s books"...A novel that invites young readers to explore the magic of a different way of life and to get closer to nature. A story well worth reading for young and old alike."
– Eleni Kitsou, Diavasame.gr"...Theodoros Papaioannou’s first book for older children is a fantastic journey through nature and the mountains of Edessa, inspired by a letter given to him at the end of a school year by one of his pupils, Silouani. A dreamlike read, an introduction to nature and the unfamiliar."
– Red Fox"...With its clear prose and vivid characters, _Silouani_ is a wonderful read for children and teenagers (and not only), with the black-and-white illustrations by Daniela Stamatiaidi reminiscent of sketches in a diary – in connection also with the book’s second protagonist, Diamantia, who captures all her new experiences and adventures in drawings in her notebook. It is, however, also an extremely useful book. It highlights, in a lyrical yet accessible way, the need for ‘dialogue’ between humans and nature, and illuminates all the positive consequences of activities related to it. "
– Verina Choreanthi, Diastixo.gr"...Silouani is a wonderful story that speaks to children about the magic of nature, its benefits, and how beneficial our contact with it is. For nature, if you allow yourself to listen to it with your whole being, it will repay you by revealing the most intoxicating scents, the most fairy-tale-like images and the most evocative sounds.A delightful, lyrical novel with beautiful black-and-white sketches that bring scenes from the children’s everyday lives to life."
– Dora Andreadaki, parents24.gr"...Older children are often daunted by the idea of holidays as planned by their parents. Thus, Kostis and Diamantia, the protagonists of Theodoros Papaioannou’s novel, find their holiday in the mountains unbearably tedious. Thanks to Silouani, however, everything turns out unexpectedly well. They travel through the mountains around Edessa, searching for answers to the dozens of questions that arise in their minds about haunted springs, secret caves and ancient legends."
– Eleni Korovila, Bookpress.gr"Silouani is a book that enchants with the simplicity and pedagogical clarity with which it approaches nature, the relationships between children, children and adults, play, conflicts that are themselves transformed into play, and their collaboration with the English scientist studying a young bear in the mountains. Nature is friendly when you live with it lightly. Even the fears of the city-dwelling mother fade away gently… In short, everything comes naturally. Without didactic grandstanding."
– Mariza Decastro, The Reader"...I must admit that Silouani transported me back to my childhood, when my grandfather and grandmother and I would go on excursions to the woods near my village! There were parts of it that were impassable, which only those in the know could navigate, and my grandfather was one of them! This story moved me because in many places I saw myself reflected in it! For those of us who have a village in the mountains and have experienced incredible adventures there, this story captures us perfectly and brings back rich, emotionally resonant memories!"
– Mama's 'n' Papa's Blog"...Silouani is an encounter with everything that takes us back to childhood and everything that ultimately matters in a person’s life. The village and nature, family, bonds, respect and friendship. And the pages of the book are imbued with the aura of fresh air, with laughter and carefree joy, and with the breeze of the classic high mountains that have become part of our present day."
– Marilena Pappa, Rubicube.grThodoris Papaioannou
Thodoris Papaioannou was born in the city of Essen, Germany, in April 1966. From a very young age, he has been a regular visitor to schools, either as a pupil or a teacher, and writes stories and fairy tales. He loves music, the theatre and walks in the woods. He lives in Edessa, amidst rivers, bridges and waterfalls. He has written fifteen books for children and teenagers, two of which have also been published abroad. *From the Beginning* (Ikaros Publications, 2020) is his first novel for adults.
He has received the following awards:
• The ‘Penelope Maximou’ Award from the Greek Children’s Book Circle (2015) for his book *Anapoda* (Ikaros Publications)
• The 2016 Public Bookshops Special Award for his book *Apenanti* (Ikaros Publications)
• Children’s Literature Book Award from the 2018 Anagnostis Literary Awards for his book Silouani (Ikaros Publications)
• Public Bookshops Special Award 2019 for his book Antama (Ikaros Publications)
His complete works and overall activities are presented on his official website: www.thodorispapaioannou.com
