And I take off my hat …

Critical reviews

Makis Tsitas, through Daniela Stamatiadi’s exceptionally luminous illustrations, sets his story in a children’s playground, giving on each page reasons for questions, answers and explanations that will be provided by grownups, depending on the child’s readiness and maturity, but also on their own individual experiences. He does not give ready answers and solutions, he leaves the field open and free for the imagination to roam, so that we can play a marvellous game of truth and consequences with our kids. And we protect them too, not by closing them off from the world, or by introducing them to a world without faults and suffering, but by learning with them that we fight what is bad as soon as we know of it.
Eleni Lindzaropoulou, fractalart.gr, 15/03/23

A firm “no” can prevent many problems from arising and a book that is both intelligent and meticulous – from every point of view – can, without being didactic, teach this [lesson] to both young and old.
Liana Denezaki, kosvoice.gr, 09/10/19

At the time of its publication, in 2018, it was a very good and original book that sounded the warning bell to parents and children. After the latest dramatic turns of events, however, it shows itself to have been prophetic, so stunning that whoever reads it now feels their eyes popping out, surprised at the evil that was so close to us and which acted without being seen or disturbed.
Anthoula Daniel, Efimerida ton Syntakton, 31/03/21

“...It’s a wake-up call everyone should heed, from parents to educators and grandfathers to grandchildren. Unfortunately, we don’t live in a fairy tale world and, worse yet, we live in a world where little is vindicated and many are harmed in the harshest way. A fairy tale that is articulate, theatrical and pithy as a narrative, and completed by the wonderful illustrations of Danielas Stamatiadi.”
Georgia Paraschou, thessalikipress.gr, 27/02/19

“The prolific Makis Tsitas has managed, with enormous skill, to give us works addressed to readers both young and old. He has an excellent feel for spare prose, resulting in works that hold our unflagging interest.”
Toula Repapi, periou.gr, 17/02/19

“Makis Tsitas’ latest book And I Take Off My Hat…, once again surprises and unsettles. A book that makes the heart beat faster, whether in children or in adults. A book that effortlessly commands attention and thus is able to pass on its message. People and things are not always as they appear.
Like in all his illustrated books, the author collaborates flawlessly with illustrator Daniela Stamatiadi to produce a perfect result.”
Erica Athanasiou, oanagnostis.gr, 12/02/19

"If I had to single out a single book from dozens of exceptional Greek titles that were released in '18, it would be And I Take Off My Hat… by Makis Tsitas.
“A book about vigilance and awareness (of children and parents) of the dangers that exist ‘out there’, which, without being pedantic or hysterical, aims at the subconscious in order to pass along an important, seminal message as all good fairy tales have done for centuries.”
Pickabook, 16/01/19

“With just a few sentences, Makis Tsitas has said it all. One of the worst nightmares for children and parents. A stranger with a friendly manner gains the trust of small, unsuspecting and innocent children. An event that is becoming an almost daily phenomenon in today’s world.
A brilliant book in terms of story idea, characters and the message it sends. A book to awaken children and parents.”
Eleni Beteinaki, cretalive.gr, 05/01/19

“Makis Tsitas, one of the most imaginative, discerning and sensitive young writers of children's literature, has recently released a book aimed at children aged six and up. It is a fairy tale that focuses on the dangers surrounding children in modern society.”
Panagiotis Skordas, Empros newspaper, 27/12/18

“This well-crafted book by Tsitas has sounded an alarm for parents and children. With his many years of experience as a children’s author, but not only as a children’s author, his goal is to educate and not just entertain. He has the ability to take traditional ideas and extend them so as to also provide educational direction, using the subtly disguised fairy tale as a tool to raise awareness.”
Anthoula Daniil, Avgi newspaper, 24/12/18

“This exceptional, allegorical fairy tale by Makis Tsitas is certainly one of the books of the year. It addresses sensitive and difficult social issues through a story that parents and teachers can explain to children. By cleverly revealing the disguise, Makis Tsitas, warns children against the ever present danger.”
Dina Sarakinos, literature.gr, 24/12/18

“The author follows the recipe of a fairy tale about the existence of evil, but innovates by warning of the specific danger that is ever present around us. We adults know it, but do children? The book is a good tool for discussing and reflection on the problem, without stigmatizing and pointing the finger at familiar acquaintances… which represent the most frequent source of risk in this instance… where things are even more difficult..."
Tasoula Tsilimeni, Keimena, 21/12/18

“Makis Tsitas, as he demonstrates in his superb, award-winning and widely traveled book God Is My Witness, as well as in the stage production of the book, is drawn to vulnerable groups in society. But he’s mainly concerned with issues confronting young children who, as the heroes of his books, he brings into contact with a reality so as to reveal the true nature of things.”
Eleni Choreanthi, frear.gr, 06/12/18

“There have been many and very enthusiastic reviews in the last several weeks about And I Take off My Hat…, a book written by Makis Tsitas, illustrated by Daniela Stamatiadi and published by Kokkini Klosti Demeni. And rightly so, for we are talking about a book that completely deserves all the laudatory comments it has received: daring without being melodramatic, subversive without forcing impressions, simple and spare like every other literary work that is conscious of its own flawlessness. And also, it is a book that forces us to seriously contemplate fundamental issues relating to how we set and manage certain boundaries of behavior.”
Eleni Georgostathi, miaforakienankairoimikrieleni.blogspot.com, 01/12/18

“The author communicates his message in the most appropriate manner. He offers us a broad field for discussion, where we can engage our children and talk about the kinds of dangers that are lurking in disguise, as well as about the ways they can confront them if they ever encounter them.
You will hear a lot of laughs in the course of reading this enjoyable book, but the truth is that the book’s message is sweeping and highly instructive, as it constitutes the best way for you to discuss with your children one of life’s darkest sides.”
Lydia Psaradelli, radioalchemy.net, 15/11/18

“I particularly love books that have something to offer to children, be it a feeling, a certain meaning, a motive for them to speak… And especially this motive, the motive to begin a conversation, constitutes, I believe, the most fundamental success of a children’s book – any children’s book. This book in particular has, in my opinion, succeeded remarkably in fulfilling this purpose.”
Maria Liontou, mommyjammi.gr, 14/11/18

“Clear and sharp dialogue. Allegories, movement, scenes: all of them have been carefully considered by the author. Makis Tsitas seems to have constructed his entire stage with the precision of a surgical scalpel, after pouring all his thoughts and concerns into the picture first. It is a stage that very quickly transforms the good, the beautiful and the familiar into something dangerous, but which can be fought and defeated so long as we are all prepared to act appropriately and in time.”
Elena Artzanidou, thinkfree.gr, 07/11/18

“Makis Tsitas’s And I Take Off My Hat … is much more than just a beautiful tale. It is a must-read for both children and adults while also being a remarkable work of art. […] Children must know that many times things are not what they seem to be. And it is better for them to learn this lesson through a work of art, a work in which language and image harmoniously co-exist, so that they never have to learn it through experience!”
Pelio Papadia, Talc magazine, 02/11/18

“Tsitas shows that he wants to warn both children and adults of the places in which the danger of sexual assault might be lurking. And he succeeds. Yet his success is of a wider import, since he shows that the threat of assault remains forever potent. It is not people, the author warns us, but rather the broader social context that nurtures the violence that poses the threat.”
Manos Kontoleon, literature.gr, 01/11/18

“This book touches upon delicate social issues through a story whose tone is allegoric and weaves in both old and contemporary paradigms. Can children trust a stranger without coming to harm? Often things are as not as they seem to be; caution and perception are needed in such cases but those are qualities which young children lack. Thus they find themselves unprotected from certain dangers, unless a guardian – angel or not – or a protector happens to come their way to save them.
Makis Tsitas does not need to be introduced. Through his simple, ingenious and meaningful stories, he opens the way for young readers, without moralizing or reproaching.”
Mina Xirogianni, fractalart.gr, 31/10/18

“This is one of this year’s best books (at the very least). Original and inventive as an idea, flowing and remarkably rich in its narration, highly theatrical and with great potential for dramatization, the book touches upon the topic of topics: a young person’s safety. Makis Tsitas (EUPL 2014) takes a common, everyday occurrence for millions of children (innocently playing in the park), as well as their natural tendency to trust anyone who appears under the guise of politeness and unconditional offering, and creates, with his anti-hero in the disguise of the bad wolf, a deep crack in the unconditional trust children show with their lack of awareness and preparation against any kind of danger.”
Apostolos Pappos, elniplex.gr, 28/10/18