New children’s books – May 2013

Two new books are hitting the shelves in bookshops these days, by two very different but much-loved authors!

The Adventures of Rosa, by Alexis Kyritsopoulos, is the third book in the much-loved series ‘If I Read Poets of the 1930s Generation’, co-published by the Benaki Museum. Following Just a Little More... and The Fireworks (Greek Children’s Book Circle Award), Alexis Kyritsopoulos writes a fairy tale about the adventures of Rosa, a little girl who chased a butterfly in the storm, based on the poetry of Yannis Ritsos.

‘The heavy winter, the black clouds, spring—all jostle to fit into the torrent of Yannis Ritsos’s poems. I asked for spring. Yet clouds lurk that have not quenched their thirst and that songs cannot dispel. My first companion on this quest was the anthology of Yannis Ritsos’s poems by Chrysa Prokopaki. I had to consult his complete works, however, to form my own opinion. Alongside it was the poet’s biography by Pantelis Prevelakis. I also leafed through other books; even Dickens’ *Great Expectations* to recall how he describes Mrs Havisham.”

So let us join the poet in hoping that the girl who loves butterflies will bring everything together. With so many butterflies gathered, won’t spring come at last?”

This deer is mine! The talented illustrator and storyteller Oliver Jeffers, who became known to Greek readers and was loved for *Oops*, published last year by Ikaros, presents a hilarious story in his new book, this time starring Willy and a deer.
A beautifully illustrated story by the much-loved Oliver Jeffers, which will make us wonder whether, ultimately, there is anything in the world that truly belongs to us. Is there?
Winner of the Irish Book Award for Best Illustrated Book in 2012. (Irish Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year 2012)
We hope you enjoy reading it and have a great time!