By heart
Psichogios Publications | 2014 | Illustrations: Natalia Kapatsoulia
Christos immediately learned the poem he was assigned by his teacher. He learned it immediately and, actually, he learned it by heart. That’s why he’s so excited. He has never read a poem out loud before, especially in front of people he doesn’t know. He recites it again and again, and he feels a little bit like an actor in the theater. So when the day of the school recital arrives, he climbs happily on stage ready to recite his poem. Will everything go well? And what is the amazing idea his beloved grandfather has?
Critical Reviews
This tender story by Makis Tsitas is part of the Fraoulitsa (Little Strawberry) series for tales for children aged 5-6 and can help them overcome their shyness in public.
Kiki Triantafylli, Ta Nea newspaper
“This is a book that respects the personality of the child and which can be used in kindergarten classrooms as a means to avoid difficult moments, especially before school recitals and events. It is a book that demystifies the great significance that is attributed to the recitation of a poem.”
Sophia Deni, kosvoice.gr, July 2016
“Makis Tsitas has written a very simple and real story about the fear that overwhelms each of us in front of an audience, no matter if you know the part by heart. It is a fear that is felt not only by children, but also by many adults. Writing about such negative feelings in simple words, without overstatements and redundancy is a craft, a craft which the author continuously proves he knows inside out!”
Mariza Dekastro, oanagnostis.gr, 13/12/14
“This is the brand-new and quite brilliant story from the acclaimed author Makis Tsitas, who surprises us every time with his novelty, as well as with the quality that characterizes his literary oeuvre in its entirety.”
Panagiotis Skordas, Empros newspaper, 02/09/14
“This book talks to us about the insecurities children have, as well as about the ways in which we can reassure them with our love and our faith in them.”
Eleni Sarantiti, Eleftherotypia newspaper, 25/07/14