Primary school educators Afroditi Kollias and Theo Kokkalis are eagerly awaiting the release of their first children’s book, ‘The Hottest Town’ on Monday 7 November.
Afroditi was born in Kyparissia, Greece but her family soon moved to Chicago, USA where she grew up. After college she moved to Athens and taught at the International School of Athens (ISA).
There she met Theo, who although being born in Melbourne spent much of his life in Larissa, the pair spent “a good five years” teaching at Athens’ ISA before coming to Melbourne.
“It’s our first children’s story book that we’re publishing, but our writing days started a decade or so ago when we used to write plays for our students when teaching at the ISA in Kifisia,” the pair said.
The book is centred on a town suffering under unbearable heat, townspeople sweltering under the sun’s hot rays.
At an emergency meeting in the Hottest Town’s Hall, the townsfolk devise a plan to get rid of the sun… with unforeseen consequences.
Recommended for children aged between four and 10 years old, author Afroditi Kollias told Neos Kosmos the story is a parable on the values of morality designed not just for young readers, but the adults reading to them.
“The townspeople make plans to get rid of the sun, those plans become a reality but only then do they see the consequences of their actions, on nature, on themselves, they wind up wishing for the sun to return,” she said.
“There are a few hidden notes, on nature and it’s importance, to be careful what you wish for, lessons about asking for forgiveness and to compromise… the townspeople didn’t compromise with the sun, and that was the catastrophe.”
‘The Hottest Town’ is illustrated by Christina Miesen, a friend of Afroditi and Theo’s and an accomplished author/illustrator in her own right.
“Her ideas around this town and the way she envisioned it exceeded our expectations, her illustrations really brought the book to life and she’s just an amazing person.” Afroditi said.
Soon to be published in English, the two authors hope that it will enter classrooms and homes not only as a teaching tool, but as a source of inspiration for young readers.
“We have three children of our own. We believe reading is so important and we wanted to create a story that would entertain our own children and teach them some lessons simultaneously.”
“We hope that any child reading our story enjoys it and gets inspired to write their own story,” they said.
As to whether the tale will be published someday in Greek, Afroditi told Neos Kosmos “that’s our vision for the book” and something they look forward to.
For more info go to: http://theoandafroditi.com.au