Texts for the tradition series: Proverbs

Critical Reviews

Makis Tsitas and Rania Boubouri – experienced “readers” of the child’s soul – have themselves assumed the clarity and optimistic eye of the child, handling brilliantly their creative proposal, which is particularly important, from every point of view. Their choice of material and rendering of it – without the local linguistic variations – the rhythm, obvious or implied zest, estimation of children’s reading needs and skills, a written ethos that matches childhood, genuine participation in the joy of writing: it is for precisely these reasons that the books inspires spontaneity in the child too.
Vivi Kopsida-Vrettou, frear.gr, 15/02/23

Makis Tsitas and Rania Boubouri, with their enthusiasm and love of writing, reading, and their young readers, have given us a first-class opportunity – or rather two – to gather the whole family around the pages of their two new books, to read, play, laugh, learn, and correct each other with love and joy. Books well worth reading... don’t miss them.
Eleni Lindzaropoulou, fractalart.gr, 08/02/23 

“ ...The series, Our Tradition, is a brilliant idea in our stubbornly digital era. There is a need to bring young children into contact with the traditions of their land, to familiarize them with the customs and values of Greece, of the popular culture, the achievements of their forefathers (and mothers). And this need exists, because so often youngsters are influenced by the culture of technology and the social media, which are often difficult to define with reference to their national identity.
Asimina Xerogianni, booktimes.gr, 26/03/23 

And the two together are jewels for any children’s library. Their authors deserve warm congratulations for their idea and the beneficial and pleasant result.
Anthoula Daniel, periou.gr, 19/11/22

These books are aimed at children aged 4 and older, but personally I would recommend them for all ages and naturally for teachers. They offer a unique opportunity for children to come into contact with our folk tradition and heritage. The illustrations by Adrianna Roussou complement the content superbly with their lively colours and intense expressiveness.
In the two volumes by beloved writers, we find 32 proverbs and 25 tongue-twisters. These original books finish with activities, in a supplement at the end with the apt title, “Come and play”, conceived by Dimitra Rouseli, educator.
Zoe Vakoufari, paramythoskopio.gr, 05/11/22

Superb children’s books, of high quality and aesthetics, whose subject is the tradition of our country, and which offer pleasant moments and entertainment.
With this one sentence I sum up this series which Makis Tsitas and Rania Bourbouri wrote together and which is published by Psychogios.
Tzeni Koukidou, koukidaki.gr, 03/11/22

For this book Makis Tsitas and Rania Boubouri chose some of the most popular proverbs; at the same time, however, they took pains to select those that represent situations and conditions that contain a truth, without however offending anyone. The choice is exceptionally important as a teaching tool, since our proverbs come from the old days and unavoidably are loaded with impressions, views and stereotypes of people from another era, which, however, it would not be wise to perpetuate. In addition, the proverbs that have been chosen contain to a significant degree the comic element, which is emphasized by the wonderful illustrations by Adriana Roussou and makes reading even more of a pleasure.
Chrysanthe Tsiabali, kosvoice.gr, 02/11/22

. . . Here, however, we are talking about childhood which has other ways of acquiring knowledge. Through games with pictures, with colours, the right words and finally through activities, everything can become accessible. The book truly corroborates the authors’ view that tradition can be something unbelievably entertaining. Bravo to all the contributors!
Dioni Dimitriadou, Fractal, 18/10/22

Writers Makis Tsitas and Rania Boubouri join their pens, treating us to two of the most beautiful and well-written books intended for children ages 4 and up. With respect, attention and love for children, as well as for the historic traditions of our country, they have co-authored the two books in the series, “Our Tradition”.
Kyriaki Ganiti, vivliovamon, 13/10/22

Apart from contact with the tremendous wealth of the Greek language, children will become acquainted with the condensation of folk wisdom, this surprising ability of pithy speech to express so much through so few words but also the evolution of knowledge through the ages, since what today is only a click away on Google, once upon a time needed hundreds of years of oral tradition to be compressed and “owned” one and all . . . .
Apostolos Pappos, elniplex.com, 10/10/22

Yesterday continues to be delightful even today and the two authors prove it with their charming, useful and entertaining books in this series, which begins with “Proverbs” and “Tongue Twisters”. Thanks to them, young readers familiarize themselves with folklore that some might fancy inaccessible or dull but which in the end one can learn much about through play!
Panos Tourlis, vivliokritikes.com, 01/10/22

An original series of children’s books is being released by Psychogios Publishers for children over four years of age. But they will also be read and enjoyed by boys and girls in the early grades of elementary school and will have a place as reference works in their libraries.
Lefki Sarantinou, Literature.gr, 27/09/22