‘Grumpy Bapou’ brings Cypriot family humour to children’s books
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
Greek Cypriot Australian author Nicky Nicola has transformed the bedtime stories she once told her grandchildren into a new children’s book series, launching the first instalment, Grumpy Bapou Goes Fishing.
The book introduces young readers to Grumpy Bapou — a well-meaning but bumbling grandfather — and Yiayia, who is always on hand to rescue him from the chaos he unintentionally creates. In this first story a simple fishing trip quickly unravels into comedic misadventure.
Nicola told Neos Kosmos the idea to turn her spoken stories into books “developed from the joy that I obtained when I told these stories to my grandchildren.”
“This was reinforced when I related my stories to children of friends and received excellent feedback with requests for more stories,” she said.
“It gives me pleasure knowing that stories I told my grandchildren are being enjoyed by a new generation of children.”
She says Grumpy Bapou is inspired directly by home.
“Grumpy Bapou is based on my husband,” Nicola revealed.
“However the Cypriot community has many Bapous and also many Yiayias that people will relate to, and I am sure will be reminded of when they read my stories.
“The chaotic adventures are based on exaggerated real events.”
Her Greek Cypriot heritage, she says, is at the heart of the book’s tone and characters.
“The close family ties that exist in Greek Cypriot culture is essential to all my stories,” Nicola said.
“The special bond that exists between grandchildren and grandparents is accentuated by the bumbling but loveable aspects of Bapou. Despite his occasional grumpiness Bapou has a positive, uplifting personality that children can relate to.”
Beyond the laughs, Nicola hopes young readers — and even parents and grandparents — walk away with something more.
“Each story includes some important life lessons,” she said.
“I would hope that children enjoy the story but also take away some important lessons in everyday life such as wearing seat belts and ensuring they are sun safe.”
The fishing tale is just the beginning, with Nicola confirming she has already written several more misadventures for the beloved characters.
“Grumpy Bapou goes fishing is my first story that introduces the characters of Bapou and Yiayia,” she said.
“I currently have eight stories written, describing the misadventures of Grumpy Bapou.
“Yiayia of course, like all yiayias is there to save the day when Bapou lands himself in trouble. I hope to publish all in the near future.”
Nicola writes under the pen name Yiayia Nicky, a choice she says is meant to bring children closer to the storyteller herself.
“I have chosen the penname of Yiayia Nicky so that children can feel that it is Yiayia who is telling the story,” she said.
Grumpy Babou Goes Fishing is available now at various book retailers.
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
