Haralambia the Giraffe

Critical reviews

I have said before that writing children’s books is no easy task; it’s extremely difficult because the content is of necessity so succinct. Makis Tsitas having mastered this difficult genre, by means of a small number and small extent of sentences, unfolds the story simply, allowing the message to be transmitted in a completely comprehensible way. At the same time, a blend of tenderness and humour colours his language, because this experienced writer does not forget for a moment that children learn through play, humour and laughter. In this book Makis Tsitas, whose writing possesses all of these characteristics, reveals yet again the magnitude and inventiveness of his talent.
Toula Repapi, Peri Ou

Kids will love it and never stop laughing!
koritsimalama.blogspot.com, 06/09/21

Haralambia the Camel is a book you can read again and again with the same delight every time!
Mariza Dekastro, oanagnostis.gr, 04/08/21

Throwing light on the simple, daily, and routine, Tsitas reveals aspects of it that are subversive, surreal and magical. Exactly the way a child’s mind works. . .
This is a story full of imagination and humour, which Tsitas uses to portray a very real and deep relationship between Alexandros and his pet camel, with respect and understanding for the camel’s needs, as indeed the relationship should be with every animal we adopt and bring into our homes.
Vangelis Iliopoulos, diptyxo.gr, 27/05/21

A heart-warming book, a story told with great humour, it is complemented effortlessly by the wonderful and equally amusing illustrations, conveying the message that wild animals belong in nature, helping them to escape to it is our duty and that real love means spreading happiness and freedom to other souls.
Eleni Andreadi, a8inea.com, 04/03/21 

Young readers love Makis Tsitas’s heroine, a giraffe. With humour that winks at the reader from the first to the last page, this illustrated book (a superb collaboration by Makis and Sandra, where the images perfectly complement the text and the leitmotifs that run through it) will entertain children aged 4-6, cultivating their love of animals (pets and wild, each with different needs, which we all should respect), will praise [the value of] friendship and gratitude, while stimulating their imagination and giving them. . . ideas on how to acquire imaginary or real companions in life.
Pelio Papadia, Talk, 10/02/21  

With his funny, charming and short stories as well as empathy, Tsitas touches on sensitive issues, entering into child psychology, while giving a variety of stimuli to both young readers and their parents. With the immediacy of his language, his humour and utter lack of didacticism, he touches children yet again with his tenderness and truth.
Mina Xirogianni, fractalart.gr, 19/01/21

In Makis Tsitas’ illustrated book what the author and his illustrator achieve together is something that both parents and children will notice. That is the pleasure of reading a picture book. This is something we perhaps tend to underrate, as we look for meanings and messages and advice and “material” suitable for children. Naturally, all these things are present in the book, yet the combination of text and illustrations works so harmoniously that one may overlook the deeper meaning of the book and simply enjoy this wonderful collaboration, something which is lacking in most illustrated books where the writer and artist are different people.
Maria Rousaki, kosvoice.gr, 18/01/21

Makis Tsitas, an exceptional writer with a special style that has earned him a place in literature as one of our best scribes (in the best possible sense of the word), has given us at the same time superb examples of story telling* (24 books) – a demanding genre from every point of view . . .
A multifaceted story that corresponds in the best way to the demands of its type, preparing the small child for a world where being different is not automatically accepted, showing at the same time a way to deal with it from a spirit of equality.
The story is accompanied by superlative illustrations by Sandra Eleftheriou, whose pictures give visual expression to the story of Alexandros and his pet camel Haralambia. An exceptional book from every point of view.
Dione Dimitriadou, meanoihtavivlia.blogspot.com, 06/01/21 

Makis Tsitas is inexhaustible, inventive and effective. He has made it his goal to teach children, to help them learn to be prudent and rational in their demands, educating them for their role as the next generation of [responsible] citizens. Haralambia the camel gives him the spark to throw the ball directly at the parents but also sideways at the kids, suggesting what they ought to know but mainly sketching the limits of what they can provide on the one hand and how much they can demand on the other.
Anthoula Daniel, frear.gr, 05/01/21

Entertaining and full of humour. From the first page to the last, it manages to hold the interest of young and old while sending beautiful messages.
Makis Tsitas speaks to the boundless imagination of children, in a simple but meaningful way, which includes a poetic repitition (of a particular nature that will make kids laugh).
kidsclud.gr, 22/12/20 

Makis Tsitas has the ability to impress us in every one of his books. Readers young and old. He doesn’t discriminate. This is why his books for young readers are never tiring for their parents to read aloud, even when the kids reach the end of the story and clamour, “Again.” Because every time someone reads the book some new detail will pop up. Either in the text or in the illustrations that complement them.”
Erika Athanasiou, Efimerida Kifissia, December 2020

The story of Haralambia the camel is also an ideal starting point for productive discussions about choices, boundaries, respect and the love of animals with preschoolers and children in the first years of school.
A wonderful choice for parents and teachers.
Haritini Malissova, tetragwno.gr, 16/12/20

I read the story with my daughter who’s almost six. Three times in one sitting. She couldn’t stop laughing. . .
Apart from Makis Tsitas’ humour, which is so perfectly complemented by Sandra Eleftheriou’s splendid illustrations, he also appears to address that unconscious aspect of children which operates through their identification with animals.
Maria Soubert, theathinai.gr, 15/12/20 

Makis Tsitas with his simple, tender, charming, short, entertaining tale about Alexandros and his lovely pet camel, Haralambia, aims on the one hand to make his young readers, who are “imprisoned” within the four walls of their houses, joyful and happy world travellers and, on the other, to make them aware of how their own wishes may affect others for better or for worse. Readers following Haralambia in this short adventure will discover many other beautiful secrets in the pages of this delightful book, which its author has written with so much knowledge and love for her!
Eleni Horeanthi, fractalart.gr, 08/12/20 

A superb book, imaginative, filled with emotions and big decisions. Straight-forward language that bonds uniquely with Sandra Eleftheriou’s marvellous illustrations. Yet another successful collaboration by these two creative individuals . . .
Although aimed at kids from age four and up, I would say that it will appeal to all ages!
Eleni Beteinaki, cretalive.gr, 05/12/20

Diversity, love, gratitude and the right of animals to live free in nature are emphasized through cyclical motifs, humour and simple writing, in combination with the lively illustrations, vivid colours and intense looks [?].
I read it three times. And I’ll read it several more. I recommend it. You won’t stop reading it either.
Foteini Konstantopoulou, juniornews.gr, 02/12/20

A book with an ecological message from a beloved writer who so effortlessly matches words on paper. Delightful, entertaining story about a boy and his pet camel who set out on a long journey for Africa because Haralambia needs to go home and not stay with him. A heart-warming story that makes my daughter laugh when she reads it. An excellent choice.
Sophia Alexiou, debop.gr, 01/12/20

Very amusing from start to finish. First: Surprises from the first to the last page. Second: Concise, precise, measured language as always from this writer; ‘leitmotifs’ that recur throughout, lending humour to the story’s development and economy. Third: Wonderful collaboration between writer and illustrator, in which the former offers room to emphasize whatever has been deliberately omitted or simply insinuated and the latter manipulates to the utmost, embracing the story with lots of colour, expression and well-placed humorous elements.
Above all, this is a tale that you will enjoy, have fun with, and that will make you laugh, no matter whether you are young or old.
Apostolos Pappos, elniplex.com, 14/11/20

To all the good things that can be said about this book, one must add the simple, familiar vocabulary, the short, easily understood sentences and the delightful colour illustrations that decorate its pages. I’m certain that everyone who picks it up with be as charmed as I am. If you want to instill in your children a love for animals, this is an ideal way to approach it. I cannot praise it more highly.
Kyriaki Ganiti, dominicamat.blogspot.com, 14/11/20

A very entertaining book that will bring you lots of smiles.
Kostas Stoforos, literature.gr, 11/11/20

A fantastic book just published by Metaichmio Press and that has us raving!
Theodora Gatsi, The Big Boss, 08/11/20

A super entertaining story which will keep young and old laughing out loud as they read it!
The author is right on the mark when he talks about our love for animals, about how important it is that children have contact with them, and he makes us reflect on the meaning of love.
In our opinion, this is one of those books that stands out and we recommend it 100 percent!
Vanessa Neroutsou, happylearningseeds.blogspot.com, 02/11/20