With a stormy adventure and heroic 10-year-old students, under the title “The Tetraperatos – How to kill your teacher” (published by Paper City) demonstrates, intelligently and with excellent language, the destructive consequences of fear. Which leads children to extremes. With the schools now open, the monster lurks, in different ways, and Dimitris Kalpouzos throws the spotlight on it, addressing students, parents, teachers. On the occasion of his new book, he gives “P” a tour of his writing workshop.
-When and on what occasion did you start writing adventure books for children?
I started writing stories in high school; I loved books and read voraciously, but stories weren’t enough for me. I continued throughout my studies, even through my MA and PhD in Creative Writing, without sensing that it was a literary calling. It wasn’t until 2016 that I realized that all these years, when I was experimenting with different genres, the thread with children’s literature remained unbreakable and since then I have been consciously serving it. The occasion was “Giant Hunter”, as after finishing the writing it gave me the idea that it could be published.
– You are addressing a sensitive readership. How do you choose, each time, your subjects and what points do you pay particular attention to?
I never know the subject of my book in advance. The themes arise during the writing as dictated by the challenges in the lives of the literary characters. My job is to highlight them and challenge the reader. At the same time, I have a responsibility not to offend the innocence of childhood and to ensure that the book is not painless, equipping the child with the weapons of critical thinking and imagination, preparing him for the world in which he will live. This is a very delicate balance.
-You signed your three previous books with the pseudonym “Melikertis”. Why, and what made you decide to publish your two-volume Tetrapod under your real last name?
The use of the pseudonym was dictated by the need to know that my work will be published and read on its own merits. After three books the pseudonym has no reason to exist, as the association with my father, Yiannis Kalpouzos, is known.
-Did the fact that your father is a writer influence you? Did you ask him, initially, or do you still ask him for your opinion on each of your books?
He influenced me in many ways, from growing up in a house where the book held an important place to knowing about the existence of Creative Writing as an academic subject outside of Greece when I was looking for a field of study. As for his opinion, I wouldn’t consider myself intelligent if I didn’t ask for it. I am in the privileged position of listening to the writing secrets he has mastered while also discovering more in the genre I serve.
-Let’s go to Tetraperatos. A 10-year-old tomboy who gets into big adventures because of his lively and even violent friends. Your story is taken from reality: bullying, violence of children, etc. How did the idea come about, what intrigued you and what perhaps made it difficult for you while you were writing?
Tetraperatos and his company – Saliagas, Maria Phasaria, Raccoon, Eleni Treleni and Thymios the Mummy – devise a terrible plan to destroy Mr. Filonidis, their likeable and completely innocent teacher. From this juncture the series was born and the subtitle of the first book arose: “How to kill your teacher”. At first I found their plan highly amusing; the difficulty arose when I realized that their intentions were serious. Then, along with the protagonist, I trained myself in order to entrench the moral stance of the book, as the Tetraperatos is drawn into adventures because of his fear and disagrees with the message expressed by the provocative subtitle of the book.
– Your story, in addition to young readers, is addressed to parents and teachers, in a way that is not didactic at all, but highly humorous. Will you tell us?
I consider it an advantage of children’s literature that it can be read by anyone who was once a child, even if they are no longer. With this in mind, I strive for my books to be multi-layered and to promote dialogue and understanding between children, parents and educators. Each of them will read a different book, but all three will converge on common ground, that is, on what unites us despite our different course in time. Of course, humor is a powerful weapon if you want someone to listen to what you have to say.
Highlighting the beauty of our language
-How do you choose the vocabulary you use at a time when children have rather poor vocabulary?
I refuse to succumb to discounts for the sake of convenience, as I intend on the one hand to highlight the beauty of our language through my work and on the other hand because I believe that a good book should enrich the reader’s speech. I make sure, however, that possibly unfamiliar words are explained out of context, at least where the plot doesn’t allow the reader to consult the dictionary!
-As a young person, but also a writer who observes what is happening around him, where are they due to, would you say so many extreme incidents of violence with child perpetrators and how could this sad situation be improved?
They are due to the indifference to the cultivation of mind and soul, which is passed down from one generation to the next. Simultaneously with the partial or complete absence of communication between parents and children. Violence thrives where there are no moral values, spiritual formation and logical thinking, aided by the projection of the meaningless that our society deifies. Improvement will come if parents spend time with their children and open meaningful dialogue with them.
-How do your writing trips in the children’s world work for you?
As a challenge, responsibility, reflection, offering, questioning my views, cultivating our language, reflecting on human existence, revisiting the past, education and entertainment. At the same time as exploration, dream, magic, as I accompany and empathize with my heroes.
– Are you preparing anything else this time?
My Quadruped tells a new adventure of his, which is about… You’ll find out what it’s all about once the next book in the series is released!
#Dimitris #Kalpouzos #consciously #serve #childrens #literature
Conversations and emotional connections that can help prevent such destructive behaviors.
Table of Contents
The Art of Crafting Fear: An Exclusive Interview with Dimitris Kalpouzos, Author of “The Tetraperatos”
As the new school year commences, a peculiar and fascinating book has emerged to captivate young readers and inspire meaningful conversations among parents, teachers, and students alike. “The Tetraperatos - How to Kill Your Teacher,” published by Paper City, is a thought-provoking and engaging adventure that delves into the destructive consequences of fear, leading children to extremes. In this exclusive interview, acclaimed author Dimitris Kalpouzos offers a glimpse into his creative process, the inspiration behind his latest book, and his vision for fostering critical thinking and empathy in young minds.
From High School to Published Author
Kalpouzos’ writing journey began in high school, where his passion for books and creative writing led him to experiment with various genres. Although he didn’t realize it at the time, his true calling was children’s literature. It wasn’t until 2016, with the completion of his book “Giant Hunter,” that he consciously devoted himself to this genre.
balancing sensitivity and creativity
When asked how he chooses his subjects and tackles sensitive topics, Kalpouzos explained that his themes emerge organically during the writing process, driven by the challenges faced by his characters. He emphasized the delicate balance between addressing complex issues and preserving the innocence of childhood, ensuring that his books equip young readers with critical thinking and imagination to navigate the world ahead.
From Pseudonym to Real Name
Kalpouzos previously published three books under the pseudonym “Melikertis.” He revealed that this was a deliberate choice to separate his work from his family name, particularly his father, renowned writer Yiannis Kalpouzos. With his latest book, he decided to publish under his real name, feeling confident that his work could stand on its own merit.
Family Influence and Creative Guidance
Kalpouzos acknowledged the significant influence his father had on his writing, from fostering a love for books to introducing him to the concept of Creative Writing as an academic discipline. He continues to seek his father’s opinion on his work, valuing the writing secrets and expertise that have been passed down.
The Inspiration Behind “The Tetraperatos”
Kalpouzos’ latest book tells the story of a 10-year-old tomboy and her lively friends, who devise a plan to destroy their teacher, Mr. Filonidis. The idea was born from the harsh realities of bullying and violence among children, which the author found both intriguing and challenging to tackle. He aimed to create a moral stance that would resonate with young readers, while also addressing parents and teachers in a humorous, non-didactic manner.
Accessibility and Language
Kalpouzos believes that children’s literature can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, and strive to craft multi-layered stories that promote dialogue and understanding between children, parents, and educators. When it comes to vocabulary, he refuses to compromise, instead choosing to enrich young readers’ language skills while ensuring that unfamiliar words are explained in context.
Addressing Violence and Indifference
As a writer who observes the world around him, Kalpouzos attributes the prevalence of extreme incidents of violence involving child perpetrators to the indifference towards cultivating minds and souls, as well as the lack of communication between parents and children. He advocates for parents to spend quality time with their children, fostering meaningful
– How does “The Tetraperatos” address the themes of fear and bullying in children’s literature?
Here is a comprehensive and SEO-optimized article on the topic:
The Tetraperatos: Conquering Fear and Bullying through Children’s Literature
As schools reopen, the monster of fear and bullying lurks in every corner, threatening to destroy the innocence of childhood. But what if we could tackle this issue head-on, in a way that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking? That’s exactly what Dimitris Kalpouzos, a Greek author, has set out to do with his latest book, “The Tetraperatos – How to kill your teacher”, published by Paper City.
A Stormy Adventure and Heroic Characters
“The Tetraperatos” tells the story of a 10-year-old tomboy who gets entangled in a series of wild adventures with his lively and sometimes violent friends. But what starts as a humorous tale quickly takes a dark turn, as the group devises a terrifying plan to destroy their well-meaning teacher, Mr. Filonidis. This bold and unflinching exploration of fear, bullying, and violence is both a thrilling adventure and a powerful exploration of the destructive consequences of fear.
An Insider’s Look at the Writing Process
In an exclusive interview, Kalpouzos takes us on a tour of his writing workshop, sharing his inspiration, writing process, and the challenges he faced while crafting “The Tetraperatos”. From his early beginnings as a writer to his conscious decision to focus on children’s literature, Kalpouzos reveals the delicate balance he strives for in his writing – to tackle tough subjects without offending the innocence of childhood.
Addressing a Sensitive Readership
Kalpouzos acknowledges the responsibility that comes with writing for children, and the importance of equipping them with critical thinking and imagination to navigate the complexities of the world. He also shares his approach to choosing subjects and themes, which arise organically during the writing process.
The Power of Humor and Imagination
Despite the dark themes, “The Tetraperatos” is imbued with humor, making it an enjoyable read for both children and adults. Kalpouzos believes that humor is a powerful tool for promoting dialogue and understanding between children, parents, and educators. By using humor, he aims to encourage readers to engage with the issues he raises, rather than lecturing or preaching to them.
A Celebration of Language
Kalpouzos is committed to promoting the beauty of the Greek language, even in the face of declining vocabulary among children. He refuses to compromise on vocabulary, instead opting to showcase the richness and diversity of the language.
Breaking Down Fears and Barriers
Through “The Tetraperatos”, Kalpouzos seeks to break down fears and barriers, encouraging readers to confront the darkness within themselves and their communities. By tackling tough subjects head-on, he hopes to inspire children to develop empathy, compassion, and critical thinking skills, and to equip them with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the world.
A Lasting Impact
As schools reopen, “The Tetraperatos – How to kill your teacher” is a timely reminder of the power of literature to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. By addressing the fears and insecurities that plague our children, Kalpouzos has created a work that will resonate with readers of all ages, and inspire a new generation of thinkers, dreamers, and change-makers.
Optimized Keywords: Dimitris Kalpouzos, The Tetraperatos, children’s literature, bullying, fear, violence, Greek language, language skills, critical thinking, empathy, compassion, literature for children, schools.
