Tata??

Melios the beetle turned himself upside down, rolling his mud ball. And how strange… when you’re upside down, you see more clearly… and you can discover so much. Where is the truth hidden? What is truly worth it? A tender fairy tale with powerful symbolism. For this book, the author was awarded the 2015 ‘Penelope Maximou’ Prize for a short-form narrative book for children by the Greek Children’s Book Circle.

Following the huge success of the book *Upside Down*, which introduced Melios to young readers, in Theodoros Papaioannou’s new book we meet the beloved beetle once again, facing a new challenge: His friend, Melani, is on the other side of the forest waiting for him, but to get there he has to cross the main road! How will he manage that? On his blue bike? On his purple scooter? With a parachute? On a magic carpet? Well, he’ll try them all! And even if he fails! You never know, perhaps luck is made of many failures... The book comes with a CD featuring songs written by Orestis Papaioannou especially for the book. To listen to a sample of the songs, click [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PxlrcOZDe4&feature;=youtu.be).

Melios and Melani wake up, emerge from their nests and together set off for a walk in the forest. The sound of water, the sweetness of sap, the colour of the sunset, the scent of flowers, even the chill of the snow—everything feels special when you share it with someone you love, together.

The first children’s book, illustrated and written by Iris Samartzi, speaks directly to children’s hearts and captures their endless desires. Dad, where are you? Come and play! I’d love to have a playground at home. Just for me and Dad. And a garden, and a treehouse, a library... a rainbow... How many things do we need to have a good time with our friends? [Read the information about the book being awarded the ‘2021 State Prize for Illustrated Children’s Books’.](https://ikarosbooks.gr/blog/to-kratiko-vravio-ikonografimenou-pedikou-vivliou-2021-stin-tata-tis-iridas-samartzi)

The award-winning author describes a different kind of school—a dream for every child—offering readers a fresh perspective on the role of the school and the relationship between child, teacher and parent. Proposing a different approach to what school should really be, Alkistis Halikia joins forces with Irida Samartzi, and together the two creators envision a school that will unleash children’s imagination and form the vibrant heart of every member’s daily life, in a celebration of knowledge and freedom for all.

In 2014 we met... Melios Upside Down, a beetle with a sensitive soul and a taste for adventure! Anapoda brought us Apenanti and Antama, the award-winning trilogy by Thodoris Papaioannou, illustrated by Irini Samartzi, and since then Melios has become the favourite beetle of young and old alike. Children met Melios and his friends at their schools, in bookshops, libraries and festivals, and the journey they embarked on with him was thrilling. In 2024, Melios turns 10! It is with great joy that we celebrate his birthday with an anniversary book full of games and activities from his tender world. We’ll need imagination, curiosity and plenty of enthusiasm for play!

Through his camera lens, Antonis Papatheodoulou captures love and imagination, ideas and melody, and what your neighbourhood looked like in Ancient Athens! The world of Let’s See is wonderfully colourful, original and funny. His cameras have the power to capture not only images, but also emotions, memories, ideas and the whole marvellous and precious world that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Iris Samartzi’s illustrations, full of humour and adventure, wonderfully bring the stories of the cameras to life. Let’s See is a subversive and sweet exploration of the imagination.

Melios the beetle turned himself upside down, rolling his mud ball. And how strange… when you’re upside down, you see more clearly… and you can discover so much. Where is the truth hidden? What is truly worth it? A tender fairy tale with powerful symbolism. For this book, the author was awarded the 2015 ‘Penelope Maximou’ Prize for a short-form narrative book for children by the Greek Children’s Book Circle.