My Book Launch of Greek Myths, Folktales & Legends

There really is no party like a Big Fat Greek party and Saturday’s ancient Greek themed book party celebrating the launch of my children’s book Greek Myths, Folktales & Legends (published by Scholastic UK), at my wonderful folks’ house was TREMENDOUS -in caps! Yes, I’m shouting because we Greeks love to bellow our hearts out whether we’re happy, sad and angry, just ask the Greek gods and goddesses which feature in my stories!

The party was the perfect recipe of great company: fine food, Greek music and unexpected sunshine.

Being surrounded by so many people I love, celebrating together, not just the book, but the bond that we share with one another, devouring spanakopitta, hallumi, chicken and seafood kebabs, falafels, Greek salad; galaktoboureko (custard tartlets) and sticky baklava, thanks to my brother’s events’ company Westbourne House and my parents’ superb cooking skills, made for one special day!

My parents pivoted into careers as award winning restauranteurs back in 1982, after successful careers in business, and lecturing, respectively, and they really do throw the most joyful of soirees, especially when they host in their beautiful home in North Leeds we moved to from Ilkley in 1987.

Heavy rain was scheduled for the 13th so we arranged for a marquee in the garden but thankfully Helios, god of the sun, played ball and it was warm and sunny for most of the day. When a light shower eventually fell in the late afternoon, all seventy of us gathered under the canopy’s shelter before the sun shone again, bringing with it a bright rainbow, its thick band of colours stretching over the landscape of fields, forest and reservoir which make up the view.

The highlight for me was undoubtedly thanks to my best friend Will and a special question he posed to me, along with his beautiful wife Anna, on their arrival.

Will, Anna, and their beautiful newborn baby boy, Kit, had travelled for many hours the night before from near Windsor, and despite how little Kit is and Will’s demanding job as a consultant anaesthetist.

Babe in arms, on arrival, Will said they had travelled for the party but also because they wanted to ask me if I’d like to become Kit’s godmother! I promptly burst into tears, spluttering out a yes. What a privilege!

After telling everyone I could about the good news, I gave a short reading of my shortest myth, Arachne, the tale of a talented weaver who was transformed into a spider by a jealous Athena, goddess of war.

I then proceeded to paraphrase my most favourite myth of all from the collection of twenty, Persephone and the Six Pomegranate Seeds, a powerful tale of the bond between mother and daughter: Demeter, goddess of the harvest and Persephone, goddess of the Underworld.

Spotting my proud mum at the front of the crowd made me well up again!

Florence, my own daughter, 3, and I, channelled Demeter and Persephone ourselves thanks to our breathtaking flower hair pieces expertly hand crafted by Claire Austin England.

Big thanks too to The Little Bookshop in Chapel Allerton and Skipton, super books stores who supported the event supplying books for sale, and my brilliant friend Rachel of Meadow Farm Lifestyle for creating a stunning ancient Greek inspired candle of enchanting jasmine and olive, everyone fell head over heels for.

The party was bursting with happy vibes and that heartfelt, infectious energy that cannot be faked. I felt so cared for, in the presence of cloose family and friends, many who travelled far and wide, and I will never forget it.

What an emotional, memorable day.

Dionysus, the god of wine and festivity would surely have been proud, and I hope that my ancestors of over 2500 years ago, feel I’ve done their stories justice. This is their legacy after all. And mine. 

Opa!