Yota Alexandrou

Yota is an acclaimed children’s book author, preschool teacher and actress, with a Master’s degree in Drama and the Creative Arts in Education from the University of Exeter (U.K.).

She has also worked over the years as a drama teacher and children’s animator, running educational programmes and drama and theatre workshops based on her books.

To date, Yota has had 19 children’s books and two books of theatre plays published. Many of her books have been short listed for literary awards.

Published work

Illustrated books for children:

It’s not funny, Scott!, illustrated by Natalia Kapatsoulia, bilingual series: Greek-English stories, (Susaeta Editions 2025).

The Helping Box, illustrated by Natalia Kapatsoulia, bilingual series: Greek- English stories, (Susaeta Editions 2025).

A Different Letter to Santa, illustrated by Effie Lada (Susaeta Editions 2024).

A Drop of Beauty, illustrated by Theda Mimilaki (Kalendis Publications 2024). Shortlisted for Children’s Book Literary Awards of electronic magazine “Hartis”.

Teacher for a Day, illustrated by Chryssa Spiridonos (Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company 2023).

Haris and Faris, illustrated by Fotini Tikkou, music by Yannis Mygdanis (Susaeta Editions 2023). Shortlisted for Greek IBBY Literary Awards and Literary Awards of electronic Magazine “O Anagnostis”, Elniplex Children’s Books Golden List.

Robin of the Seas and the Bullies of the Deep, illustrated by Vasilios Grivas (Susaeta Editions 2023).

Alex in Lessonland, illustrated by Natalia Kapatsoulia (Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company 2023).

Listen to Me, Look, illustrated by Daniela Stamatiadi (Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company 2022). Shortlisted for Greek IBBY Literary Awards, Best of the Best in its category in the Elniplex Children’s Books Golden List.

Mantra, Mantra, What are you Cooking? illustrated by Emilia Konteu (Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company 2021).

A Red Nose, a Violin and a Dream, illustrated by Francesca Cosanti (Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company 2021).

When we Played to Win, my dear Karagiozis, illustrated by Achilleas Razis (Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company 2019). Shortlisted for State Literary Awards, Greek IBBY Literary Awards and Literary Awards of electronic Magazine “O Anagnostis”, Elniplex Children’s Books Golden List.

Only if I Want To, illustrated by Sandra Eleftheriou, 5^th edition (Minoas Publications 2018). Elniplex Children’s Books Golden List.

Frightening Fon, illustrated by Emilia Konteu (Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company 2017).

Fenia, the Fairy of Sounds, illustrated by Effie Lada, 5th edition (Patakis Publishers 2015).

Honourable mention by the Women’s Literary Team, Shortlisted for Greek IBBY Literary Awards, IBBY – Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities.

The Branches of Wisdom, illustrated by Daniela Stamatiadi, music by Yannis Mygdanis (Parrisia Publications 2014). Shortlisted for Literary Awards of electronic Magazine “O Anagnostis”.

I Want to be a Magician, illustrated by Iris Samartzi (Psichogios Publications  2014).

Xaris and Faris, illustrated by Katerina Chadoulou (Vivliofono Publications 2013). Shortlisted for Greek IBBY Literary Awards and Literary Awards of electronic Magazine “O Anagnostis”.

Alex in Lessonland, illustrated by Christos Dimos (Psichogios Publications 2013).

The Bullies of the Deep and Robin of the Seas, illustrated by Katerina Veroutsou, (Susaeta Editions 2011). Honourable mention by Panhellenic Union of Literary Writers.

The Grenade that Wished to be like a… Screw, illustrated by Eliza Vavouri (Agyra Publications 2011).

A Mask Laughs and Cries, written and illustrated by her preschool pupils (Nikas Publications 2009).

 

Theatre plays for children:

Fairytalecleaner, music by Kharalampos Goyos (Orion Publications 2004). 

Asteris, the Leading Star, Breaks Down and other Christmas Funny Disorders, music by Ilias Liougos (Orion Publications 2003).

 

Biblionet.gr | Bookpoint

You can contact Yota via email: yotaalex@gmail.com

or find her on Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram

A Drop of Beauty

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Theda Mimilaki
Published by Kalendis Publications

Shortlisted for Children’s Book Literary Awards of electronic magazine “Hartis”.

 

“Where does beauty lie?
There is no right answer.
Everybody mirrors what they have inside.
They create their own mosaic.
How about you?”

This book opens a window onto the world for younger and older readers and encourages them to seek its real beauty. Yota Alexandrou’s writing and Theda Mimilaki’s illustrations take the reader to every corner of the earth, focussing on beauty that inspires admiration, that embraces everything with love and kindness and that connects to knowledge and wisdom.

In a sensitive, poetic and reflective way, Yota Alexandrou places the idea of beauty in the real world, but also in our inner world as an apprenticeship for achieving happiness. Beauty is depicted on every page as a part of life. Τhe writer collects drop by drop, with the rhythm of maturity, real moments of everyday life, of relationships, of feelings and of human achievements. A remarkable book of high aesthetic quality whose pithy speech and eloquent images introduce beauty to children as a powerful emotional experience and highlight its universal value.

 

English translation is available upon request.

Book preview 

It’s not funny, Scott!

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Natalia Kapatsoulia
Published by Susaeta Publications

Bilingual series: Greek-English stories

 

When is a joke really a joke?

Do Gillie the Goat and Flinn the Fox

find Scott the Squirrel’s pranks funny?

Let’s find out!

A story about showing respect and laughing all together.

Includes ideas for the creative use of the story

at home or in the classroom.

Book preview 

The Helping Box

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Natalia Kapatsoulia
Published by Susaeta Publications

Bilingual series: Greek-English stories

 

Gillie the Goat and Flinn the Fox are best friends.

Last week they had an idea.

They put a box in the Calming Corner under the Book Tree.

They named it “The Helping Box”.

A story about working together, giving and kindness.

Includes ideas for the creative use of the story

at home or in the classroom.

Book preview 

Fenia, the Fairy
of Sounds

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Effie Lada
Published by Patakis Publishers (5^th edition)

Honourable mention by the Women’s Literary Team
Shortlisted for Greek IBBY Literary Awards
IBBY – Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities

 

What would our world be like if there were sounds but no images?

If we could only tell flowers by their fragrance?

If there was only one colour?

Fenia, a girl with a bright smile and special abilities, takes us by the hand to show us the way into a world like this.

This affectionate, poetic and beautifully illustrated portrait of a girl who is blind offers a thoughtful, well-crafted insight into the world of differently-abled children and demonstrates the importance of empathy and shared experience for children and adults alike.

This is a delightful and accessible tale for children as young as toddlers. The illustrations, done beautifully by award-winning illustrator Effie Lada, are bound to draw the reader in; each page bursts at the seams with images of Fenia and her vibrant red hair.

The message it promotes is profound. It is a message of acceptance, empathy and looking on the bright side. This is the tale of a girl who is blind, as told by her adoring twin brother. Although he walks us through the hardships that come with Fenia’s disability, he sheds a new light on it, suggesting that it’s not a disability at all. For example, along with Fenia’s blindness comes an acute and insightful understanding of sound. This is her power; she is special.

This book is dedicated to all the wonderful Fenias who turn hardships into joy and carve their own paths in life.

 

English translation is available upon request. Rights sold to Turkey.

Book preview 

Only if I Want To

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Sandra Eleftheriou
Published by Minoas Publications (5^th edition)

Elniplex Children’s Books Golden List

 

“My hands won a prize and I won a hug from Mrs Rena today.

Her hug – the greatest prize for me – is like a sea of yoghurt. Cool, sweet, velvety. It calms me down and then I make beautiful things.

Daddy’s hug is like a seesaw. One moment I kiss the flowers and the next I chase the clouds. But Aunt Mary’s hug, who lives next door, is unbearable…”

A story about children’s rights over their body, their right to say no to kisses, hugs and touching they don’t want, even if these are given by people familiar and dear to them. This is a story about respecting children as individuals with their own free will.

A Different Letter to Santa

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Effie Lada
Published by Susaeta Publications

 

Santa is puzzled. In his hands, is a large envelope. On opening it, Santa finds a sock, a Chinese lantern, a hand-drawn airplane ticket, a really long letter, a smaller envelope and a strange note. Every one of these things is red! What does it all mean? What is this note written in Chinese calligraphy? Is it a message to be uncoded? An invitation or a threat? Poor Santa is really at a loss, especially when a sneezing dragon threatens to ruin Christmas celebrations.

This humorous story gives readers the opportunity to become acquainted with the festive seasons and New Year traditions of other cultures.

Robin of the Seas and the Bullies of the Deep

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Vasilios Grivas
Published by Susaeta Publications

 

Jeremy the Swordfish suffers for a long time from Sharp Smiles, the Bullies of the Deep. He suffers in silence until he opens his heart to his godmother the Mermaid.
His honesty gives him the courage to raise his head and look his bullies straight in the eyes. He sets his boundaries with them and earns the respect of all the other bullied fish.

“I help you and you help me,
so as to live fearlessly in the sea.”

The appendix to this book gives children guidance on what to do if they are bullied, are the bully or witness bullying. There are also suggested activities that teachers can use in the classroom.

Haris and Faris

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Fotini Tikkou
Published by Susaeta Publications

 

Shortlisted for Greek IBBY Literary Awards
Shortlisted for Literary Awards of electronic Magazine “O Anagnostis”
Elniplex Children’s Books Golden List

 

“Every day, on the way to school,
Haris has endless battles with dragons and monsters.
Battles that he and his Black Knight always win.
One day, he meets another knight, Faris, under a bridge.
Faris is huddled up and alone.
His clothes are torn and dirty.
Through play, Haris and Faris form a deep friendship
even though they cannot speak each other’s language.”

The appendix to this book contains games from different cultures and classroom activities to encourage the cultivation of empathy and to modify perceptions.

Postface by UNHCR in Greece.

A Red Nose, a Violin and a Dream

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Francesca Cosanti
Published by Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company

 

“A boy dreams of a violin and a red nose.
Laughter is his power in the white castle.
His bow drives away the Black Arrows
and fills the castle with colours.

The boy grows up.
Every day, after his shift at the hospital,
he takes the violin, puts on the red nose
and seeks the children’s smiles.
Together they travel in fairy tales.
They laugh, they sing, they dream.”

A boy dreams of becoming a violinist, a doctor and a clown doctor. When he was hospitalised as a child, music and laughter were his strength. He grows up and makes his dream come true. Every day, after his shift at the hospital, he puts on a red nose, plays the violin and makes his little patients laugh. Together they enact fairy tales. Time passes playfully and thus faster and less painfully, until children recover and return home.

It is a tender story about the value of volunteering and giving. About the therapeutic power of music, laughter and play.

 

English, Italian and French translations are available upon request.

Listen to Me, Look

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Ιllustrated by Daniela Stamatiadi
Published by Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company

Shortlisted for Greek IBBY Literary Awards
Best of the Best in its category in the Elniplex Children’s Books Golden List

“Listen to me, look.

I’m listening to you. Though I don’t speak.
“Look what I found on the beach. A stone in the shape of a heart.
And a wooden elf. And a twisted shell. Aren’t they beautiful?”
You paint on me a red sun smiling.
The sun holds in its arms a green sea.
A seagull that looks like you dances with a wave.”

Joy and pain, tendernesss and sorrow, satisfaction and frustration, insecurity and security all take shape and colour with Alkmini’s brushes.
This poetic story is about the expressive power of painting. About loneliness and friendship. About the sense that a child might have of herself.

The mysterious narrator is revealed only at the end to shed a different light upon the story for the reader.

 

English and French translations are available upon request.

Teacher for a Day

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Ιllustrated by Chryssa Spiridonos
Published by Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company

 

“Can I be a teacher, Miss? I want to be a teacher, please.”
“Ok, Marco, for today.”
The four-year-old wake-up goes ahead full sail.
“Who else wants to be a teacher?”
A domino of excited hands is spread around the class.
“Me! Me! Me!”
“Tomorrow is your turn…”

What would life be like in school, if the teacher stopped being a teacher for a while? If every day another child was in her place? If children’s imagination and curiosity ruled?

This is a story about the value of creative thinking and imagination in a school that gives children space and time to express themselves, to experiment and blossom.

English translation is available upon request.

Frightening Fon

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Emilia Konteou
Published by Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company

“One more head just grew on my shoulders.
A huge head with five eyes and three mouths.
The itch on the shoulders clearly indicated that this would happen.
Thanks to Yannis.
I didn’t have enough time to get used to the dragon head with six hands that Nikos added to me last night and look… one more.
But I won’t enjoy that [the new head] either.
In a while something new will grow again.
I wouldn’t have so many transformations even if I was a wizard.
I keep changing form every minute…
I was born when life appeared on Earth.
I have different faces. As many as the people who see me…
Everybody is afraid of something. Of somebody. Of me.
Of me who has many faces and one creepy name.
You know it. Fon… Fon Fear…”

A funny story with Fear himself being the narrator. Fear discloses unwillingly his own fear. A secret that becomes a shield in children’s hands against their own fears.

Mantra, Mantra, What are you Cooking?

Written by Yota K. Alexandrou
Illustrated by Emilia Konteou
Published by Ellinoekdotiki Publishing Company

“Well done, my girl.
You should play the game Witch, witch, what are you cooking?
Every witch who respects herself knows it.”
This I like. It’s a nice game because I love cooking. Properly. An omelette, lentils, pasta.
Not soups with frogs, reptiles and other disgusting things.
And certainly not soups with children.
We have a bad reputation.
And it’s all thanks to my auntie with the candy house.

Mantra is the daughter of the famous evil witch of the classical fairy tales, but she does not wish to follow in her mother’s dark footsteps.

What will Mantra “cook” in order to follow her heart?

A modern subversive tale about a child’s right to follow freely her dreams beyond parental expectations.