Books act like magic keys, which open the gates of History to children, to cross its labyrinths, gaining valuable knowledge along the interesting and attractive route. Hence the awards won by their creator. Recently released her new book entitled “2194 Days of War” (published by Metaichmio) and today Marisa DeCastro gives “P” a tour of her writing workshop.
-Literature for children and young people. What motivated you to first study the subject at the Sorbonne and then to pursue it as a writer?
The truth is that I have always wanted to work with children and that is why I studied pedagogy. I was pushed into children’s books by Alki Zei, with whom I connected when I was studying in Paris during the Dictatorship period. And she very rightly urged me because a teacher who has no idea what her students were reading does not stand. I learned and read dozens of children’s books while working in a pilot library in a Parisian suburb, Clamart. When I returned to Greece I started translating children’s/young people’s books and over the years I ended up a writer…
-Having covered the periods 1453, 1821, 1967-1973, in your previous books, we now hold your new book on WWII. How did you decide to condense 2194 days of war into 102 pages, starting in 1914?
It is impossible for any lay reader to understand the “why” of those 2194 days unless they read what was happening in the world in previous years. So I decided it was necessary to start the book with an extensive “preface”. Then, year by year, the military and political events in Greece and the world are presented, which are framed by short texts that bring the readers close to the people of the time. Life had not stopped because of the war!
-Literary texts, testimonies, photographic documents, but also world events make up your book. How would you describe the whole process – research, selection, writing? What is the biggest challenge and what is the biggest difficulty? What do you pay most attention to when writing for these sensitive ages?
The book took a lot of research and study to write. The documents, studies, testimonies about World War II are numerous. I isolated what I considered interesting and decisive, in order to give the readers as comprehensive a picture of the era as possible. In my books I try to convince children that History is very interesting and concerns us all. Historical events are one part of History, and reference to them is necessary. But I consider equally important literature and personal testimonies that show how people experienced their time during the war years and how they acted. And I try to do it without hiding the tragedy of the time! Children-readers will perceive what their age allows and as they grow older they will assimilate new information. On the other hand, I do not make propaganda in favor of some, but I move in the range of moral values and human rights.
– The images of Achilleas Razis are impressive. What is the power of pictures in books – and knowledge – for young readers?
Images have enormous power when they are not decorative and are organically connected to all the other materials in the book. They are also a kind of evidence that add to the texts, expand them, and their study can create new associations that may lead to other readings. This is exactly what Achilleas Razis does by faithfully rendering photographic documents of the Second World War.
-Spitters are now addicted not to printed images, but to those viewed through mobiles/tablets etc. What elements should a book have to grab their attention and “speak” to them?
It must be alive and multifocal, open to various fields – social, cultural, technological – in every area of life. I believe that a testimony stays in the mind more, for example what music they listened to then and what films they saw in the cinema, a resistance act or when the microwave oven was invented, than numbers, dates and names that are forgotten after the day’s lesson and exams.
#author #Marisa #Decastro
**Interview with Marisa DeCastro, Author of “2194 Days of War”**
**Interviewer:** Marisa, thank you for joining us today. Your new book, “2194 Days of War,” is already receiving significant attention. What motivated you to explore the topic of World War II, and why did you choose to start your narrative back in 1914?
**Marisa DeCastro:** Thank you for having me! I’ve always felt a deep connection to history, especially as it relates to the younger generations. The motivations for understanding World War II extend beyond just the war itself. To grasp the full picture of those 2194 days, one must appreciate the events leading up to it. So I decided a comprehensive preface was essential to provide context. It’s crucial for young readers to know that life continued amidst war — it’s not just about battles, but also the everyday lives affected by those tumultuous times.
**Interviewer:** Your writing process seems quite extensive, involving a lot of research. Can you tell us a bit more about how you selected the materials you included in the book?
**Marisa DeCastro:** Absolutely. The research phase was indeed one of the most demanding aspects of writing this book. I sifted through numerous documents, testimonies, and studies about World War II to pull out elements I found both fascinating and pivotal. I wanted to create a narrative that was engaging and enlightening, providing readers with accessible information while also highlighting the human experience of the era.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a monumental task, especially when writing for young audiences. What challenges did you face, and how do you ensure that the content is appropriate for sensitive ages?
**Marisa DeCastro:** One challenge was distilling complex historical events into a format that was both engaging and understandable for children. I had to be mindful of their emotional capacities, ensuring that I present the facts without overwhelming them. In my writing, I focus on storytelling elements that allow young readers to connect on a personal level with historical events. I believe that by humanizing history, I can encourage kids to take an interest in the past.
**Interviewer:** Your approach seems to blend educational rigor with storytelling. How important do you think it is for children to have access to literature that covers such significant historical topics?
**Marisa DeCastro:** It’s incredibly important! Books are like magic keys that unlock the gates of history. Through literature, children not only gain knowledge but also empathy and understanding of the world around them. By engaging with historical narratives, they can learn valuable lessons and see how past events have shaped our present. This understanding fosters critical thinking, and hopefully, it inspires them to become informed and engaged citizens.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Marisa. Your passion for children’s literature and history is truly inspiring. We look forward to seeing how your book is received.
**Marisa DeCastro:** Thank you! I hope it sparks curiosity in young readers and encourages them to explore history further.
