Stray kostas
Psichogios Publications | 2014 | Illustrations: Emilia Kontaiou
Fox, along with his father and mother, a family of dogs, have little Kostas, a human being, as their pet. They love him and take care of him as if he were their own child, but when vacation time comes around, they will abandon him very far from home… And then Kostas will become a stray, he will wander, lost and afraid, in the hostile and dark city and he will face many dangers. It is a very strange story indeed. Or is it?
This is a very original and delightful book whose topic revolves around people’s love for animals.
This book is also available in Boulgarian, Albanian and Romanian translations.
Critical Reviews
This is an original, touching story that will sensitize young and old about our behaviour towards homeless animals, but also the responsibility we undertake when we adopt one.
Eliana Chrysikopoulou, ladylike.gr, 24/10/22
“You will adore this book as much as your little friends will.”
petpet.news, 09/02/18
“From the very first sentence, the third-person narration pulls us into a world in reverse. It is dogs that have humans as their pets. The message regarding the love of animals, therefore, acquires an unexpected vitality. It is only rational that the reader, and not necessarily the young reader, for that matter, will identify not with the position of the animal-owner, but with that of the stray little human. And he/she will understand the barbarity of not being accepted.”
Manos Kontoleon, fractalart.gr, 31/05/17
“This is one of the most original and delightful children’s books, with love of animals and pets as its topic. It is a brilliant read!”
Apostolos Pappos, elniplex.gr, 24/02/17
“This is one of the most original and delightful children’s books with animal love and petting as their topic. It is a brilliant read!”
petpetnews.gr, 03/07/16
“Makis Tsitas describes in an extremely detailed and lively manner the feelings of abandoned pets and, through a story ingeniously written, he makes children understand that pets are a responsibility and they require respect the same way we do.”
Zoe Koskinidou, kokkinialepou.gr, 26/06/16
“This is one of the best Greek books that have ever been written for children. It is ingenious, inventive, impressive and original. It is a book masterfully written by an experienced, award-winning author, whose work has been acknowledged by the European Union.”
Eleni Choreanthi, fractalart.gr, 30/12/15
“I would say that out of all the children’s books the author has written, this is the most moving, because it touches upon a particularly sensitive issue.”
Anthoula Daniil, frear.gr, 19/06/15
“This is one of the most ingenious and well-written books for people who love pets, but also for those who treat pets in a disgraceful manner. This story will force both children and adults into contemplation, and it will prompt the reexamination of existing ideas regarding both the so-called animal-lovers and the people who do not identify themselves as such. Makis Tsitas’s pen and Emilia Kontaiou’s brushes have created a little masterpiece, which should not be missing from any home.”
Eleni Beteinaki, cretalive.gr