My big brother

Critical Reviews

“Writing with an unbeatable sense of humor and realism, Makis Tsitas creates a charming story about the bond between two brothers with a rather noticeable age difference, and describes their archetypal relationship of both collision and collusion, of both conflict and of a sacred alliance. Through the voice of his central narrator, the younger brother, the author addresses his reader with all the complaints, naiveté, and ignorance the little boy embodies, but also with the innocence that characterizes him; for he presumes, hypothesizes, loses and gets lost, sees and discovers things along the way.”
Apostolos Pappos, elniplex.com, 19/02/17

“This is a beautiful book written for and dedicated to fraternal conflict and love. Tender and so very real, the book describes the fraternal relation from the perspective of the younger brother. It is an emotional journey spanning from simple disaffection to indignation, from jealously to admiration, and from sheer indifference to unconditional love! By means of its beautiful illustrations, the narrative is enriched, for the images depict everything that divides the two brothers, but also everything that drives them towards reconciliation.”
Fotini Vasileiou, kosvoice.gr, June 2016

“This book uses words simple and essential, painted with Makis Tsitas’s light sense of humor, which is by now renowned. It is also comprised of emotions that endure forever as far as I’m concerned! Sandra Eleftheriou’s illustrations too are very modern and cheerful.”
Eleni Sarantiti, presspublica.gr, 22/12/15

“Dealing with the power of fraternal love, Makis Tsitas’s book helps 5-year-old children understand the powerful bonds that are forged amongst family members.”
Athinorama magazine, 17/12/15

“Makis Tsitas has worked a lot on the relationships children form with one another and with adults, primarily parents: bonds that are forged amongst family members. He has found the appropriate interpretative form and approaches his topics with both wisdom and awareness, I believe, as well as with intuition.”
Eleni Choreanthi, fractalart.gr, 16/12/15

“This book is beautifully written. It is simple and digestible for the young reader, while in its own way it also advises, discreetly guides and educates. The vivid illustrations, full of shapes and impressive colors, comprise a second narrative level, that supplement Tsitas's text. By these means, through prose, color and shape, a pleasant, little, and quite useful book emerges that is a gift for every young reader.”
Anthoula Daniil, frear.gr, 09/12/15

“Through its colorful pages Makis Tsitas’s My Big Brother narrates, in the most immediate of ways, the life of two brothers living in the same family. Through thoughts that are so familiar, through words adults speak all the time, and through the rather obvious grievances that dominate the text, the little hero narrates his life in the shadow of his older brother in an unbelievably realistic manner. A shadow which dissatisfies and oppresses him throughout the first half of the book, but which is transformed later on into a hug that supports and protects him.”
Chrysa Kouraki, lesxhanagnosis.blogspot.gr, 08/12/15

“The author, Makis Tsitas, manages to speak to the hearts of children and he does so in a rather beautiful manner. Through simple words he delivers the greatest life lessons. He supports and encourages children as they face seemingly insurmountable difficulties. How could he do otherwise? Through the abundance of children’s books he has written (all beloved by our own kids), he has already proven that he is capable of touching upon and teaching moral values to children, while simultaneously offering them the safety and confidence they need to take their next steps.”
Ioanna Oikonomou, NewsAge.gr, 05/12/15

“The role of the older or even the younger brother concerns both parents and teachers alike, which is, we believe, what invests Makis Tsitas’s narrative with a timeless value.”
Niki Salpadimou, Noumas newspaper, January-February 2017