#KeepItGreek: Greek Australian author releases new bilingual children’s book series ‘Ikoyenia’

·

It’s no surprise that Greek Australian parents are always on the lookout for a brand new children’s book to help their children #KeepItGreek. Seeing a limited market, Greek Australian News Corp journalist Stephanie Timotheou decided to write her first children’s book, ‘Cooking with Yiayia’, part of a new bilingual book series ‘Ikoyenia‘.

Recently joining the world of motherhood with the birth of her daughter, Anthea, in 2018, Ms Timotheou decided to use her own writing experience to develop a four-part children’s book series that represented Greek families.

“Before Anthea was born, I was on the hunt for a really special book that I could give her future grandmothers, but I found it quite difficult to find what I was looking for,” Ms Timotheou, 29, says.

“After months of searching with no luck, I thought to myself, ‘why not write one of my own?’ and that’s exactly what I did.”

The new book series is titled ‘Ikoyenia’, translated from Greek as ‘family’. Her first book ‘Cooking with Yiayia’ is a bilingual rhyming book about one little Greek girl and the beautiful bond she has with her Yiayia through cooking.

The book is written in English and Greek to encourage children to learn the language.

“Cooking with Yiayia is designed so our Greek language and culture isn’t lost as generations go on,” Ms Timotheou says.

“My biggest fear is that when our grandparents and parents are gone, nobody is going to teach our children about Greek culture and the beautiful traditions we have.

“It’s something I really want for our future and this book depicts a lot of things we typically do in a Greek home.”

The three books to follow are Gardening with Pappou, Playtime with Baba and Bedtime with Mama.

Limited copies of Cooking with Yiayia can be pre-ordered at www.ikoyenia.bigcartel.com, expected to arrive in August 2020.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Radioactive Pictures brings ‘The Aegean’ to cinemas nationwide from May 16

Radioactive Pictures is pleased to announce The Aegean is coming to cinemas around the country from 16 May 2025.

Fronditha Care residents find comfort and connection through pet program

Greek seniors in Melbourne’s Fronditha Care homes have experienced a powerful lift in wellbeing thanks to a unique pet therapy program.

Greece and Australia shine in list of world’s best beaches

Greece and Australia have made a splash in the World’s 50 Best Beaches list, with several entries showcasing their coastal beauty.

Greece faces sharp population decline and ageing crisis by 2050

The 20–64 group will shrink by about 1.7 million, mainly due to falling fertility rates across generations and a steady decline in births.

Mass grave discovery in Thessaloniki unearths painful memories of Greece’s civil war

While installing benches near the Yedi Kule fortress, workers unearthed a mass grave—33 skeletons, some with bullets in their skulls.

You May Also Like

Victorian hospitality veteran, Matt Nikakis, to open new bar in restored church hall

A new local bar is set to open early April, breathing life into the old historical Trinity church hall in St Kilda.

Yannis Smaragdis: First Greek director to join European Academy of Sciences and Arts

Renowned Greek filmmaker Yannis Smaragdis has been elected as a full member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Terry Antonis faces red card as football brought back onto television

Greek Australian footballer Terry Antonis faced a red card in Suwon Bluewing's Friday night loss on the opening match day of Korea’s K League.