Lepra offers free educational resources for “Maria’s Island”
Lepra (@lepra) are really excited to be working with Victoria Hislop, Gill Smith and Walker Books on a free educational resource based on the children’s book, Maria’s Island.
Maria’s Island is a compelling story for #KS2 and #KS3 students which follows a family impacted by leprosy, a disease which is often misunderstood. The book examines the challenges they face and how they overcome them.
If your school is looking for a charity to support, then the educational resources, created by Walker Books, can be used for free in class or assembly, alongside a video presentation about how your school can fundraise for Lepra.
Reunify The Marbles
Victoria hislop joined protestors, including six members of parliament, at the British Museum in London on Sunday to call for the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles with Greece as international support grows for a resolution to the decades-long cultural row.
The protest was organized by the advocacy group British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles (BCRPM) and marked the 13th anniversary of the inauguration of the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
Activists unfurled Greek flags and a banner reading “Reunify the Marbles!” inside the museum, while English author and honorary Greek citizen Victoria Hislop presented a cake with the numbers “1” and “3.” The 5th-century BCE statues have been held in the British institutions since 1816, after they were removed from the facade of the Acropolis under the direction of Scottish nobleman Lord Elgin.
A dramatic and moving story set in the same world as the international bestseller The Island from the celebrated novelist Victoria Hislop.
The absorbing story of the Cretan village of Plaka and the tiny, deserted island of Spinalonga – Greece’s former leprosy colony – is told to us by Maria Petrakis, one of the children in the original version of The Island. She tells us of the ancient and misunderstood disease of leprosy, exploring the themes of stigma, shame and the treatment of those who are different, which are as relevant for children as adults. Gill Smith’s rich, full-colour illustrations will transport the reader to the timeless and beautiful Greek landscape and Mediterranean seascape.
“The idea came out of a conversation with some school teachers in Crete.” said Victoria “They commented that there were so many themes in the story that were as relevant to children as to adults but felt that the original novel was a little too grown-up for many of them. I realised that much of the book is actually about children and their experiences of stigma and loss, so this has been a wonderful experience for me, to look at things through their eyes. Writing for children requires a whole different set of skills and I hope they will enjoy reading it.”
Praise for Maria’s Island
The tale is narrated by Maria, one of the children in Hislop’s novel The Island, from which this engrossing yarn is skillfully adapted for younger readers.
― The Daily Telegraph
Sometimes poignant but never upsetting, this book highlights the strength of love, friendship and resilience over adversity. Complemented wonderfully by Gill Smith’s beautiful illustrations, this is an ideal book for older early readers who are ready explore more complex themes associated such as coping with adversity and having respect for others who may be different from themselves.
– Gazette Herald Books of the Month
I picked this book up as soon as it arrived and couldn’t put it down. My favourite things were the Greek setting and the history in the story, and I loved that the character was called Anna – best name ever! I didn’t know much about this story before I read it and enjoyed finding out about the adventures. I would recommend it to my friends. I liked the illustrations too.
— Anna, Age 11 ― Toppsta
“…a powerful story about love, stigma and hope.”
– Mini Travellers
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“Whether he would be her salvation in the long term she did not know, but he saved her in a small way every time he crossed the water by making her pulse quicken. She was a woman again, not just a patient waiting on this rock to die.”
Who could not help but be moved by the relationship that builds, tentatively at first, between Maria and Nikos Kyritsis in THE ISLAND?
Loved this book and made me determined to read all of yours 😀
The most beautiful story. Victoria Hislop’s books are captivating.
We are on Crete now and have been across to Spinalonga today. ...parked in Plaka and sailed across from there. We've had a wonderful day...so happy to visit finally x
Brilliant book, as are all if her books 📚 👏
The episodes are so beautiful I read the book a few times and watched the episodes all of them Greek spoken English subtitled Been 10 times to Crete and going back soon Visited Spinalonga, Elounda, Pano Elounda and Plaka
I was so pleased to find a german translation, a wonderful book which I recommended to my friends in Germany. Have just read it for the second time.
Amazing book.... I have just finished "one August night" ... An absolute must as it's the follow on from this amazing book! 😊 😊 I love all her books! And I have them all on my bookshelf to read.... They taunt me like a delicious treat!!! 😊 😊 😊 😊
Read this after having read “Those we have loved”. Again it was a beautiful book, and I now have “The Thread” on order. For me, still, “Those we have loved” was unbeatable. I’d lived and worked (seasonally) in Greece for three decades, and hitherto had no understanding of the country’s recent history. Chilling and thrilling.
Loved this 📖 book 💞
Fantastic Greek TV adaptation of this brilliant book! Reading the subtitles was no trouble at all, and were easy to follow. We'll be visiting Crete yet again soon, but will take a boat across to the island for the first time, intrigued to be able to relate to the story there and appreciate the truth behind the fiction of the book. When the cold winter returns, I'll be watching the DVDs again, too! 🙂 <3
Finished this book 2 days ago I really enjoyed it and could picture it very well 🇬🇷💋🤩
Love this book so very much. ❤️
Just reading The Island ( again) Great Story. 🇬🇷
I need to re read this book. It's 11 years since I read it and made me want to go to crete and spinalonga on my honeymoon
It was wonderful. X
❤️ all the books I’ve read the island was the first completely captured me.
Hi, the book is wonderful and I know there also was a film made. Do you have any idea how or where can one get hold of it? Thanks
We have the series on DVD and watch it over and over again it's amazing x
I have the book and dvd . And ive been to spinalonga To Nisi💯🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷❤️❤️
My favourite book I have read it again and again.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Διαβάζω τώρα αυτό το βιβλίο και χαίρομαι πάρα πολύ ότι καταλαβαίνω το βιβλίο στα Ελληνικά
Fantastic book.
Loved the book and the DVF boxset 🇬🇷❤️
Wonderful book
She only had one clue to her mother’s past: a faded wedding picture that had stood on her mother’s bedside table for as long as Alexis could remember. In THE ISLAND Alexis concludes that her mother not only buried her roots but she appeared to have trodden down hard on the earth above them . . .
I did read it years ago when it first came out. Read all her books since. xx
I am reading The Island ( now) for the second time. 😘📖 Spinalonga ( Plaka ) Great Story. 🇬🇷 Was there in both places, many years ago. ( 1992) in a Hotel ( Plaka) opposite the Island. 🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷🇬🇷
reading this book at the moment..... love this soooooo much!
I’m reading it for a second time now , visiting Spinalonga next month x
Re reading this at the moment ...one of my fave books . and finally on Tuesday we get to fly to Crete...staying in Gouves so we'll see Spinalonga over the water...looking forward to visiting xv
Absolutely brilliant book.xx
I loved this story and book.
The best book I’ve ever read!
The Best!!
My favourite book
Fabulous book x
Totally agree!!!
Fabulous book. X
Love it! ❤️
Victoria has said that it’s exciting to have an idea that simply won’t let you go: “This is always how it feels for me: that I am slightly possessed by the story, by the characters, by the history that I am researching.”
Thank you so much for your books. They accompanied our recent moving to Crete. I would love meeting you once, to share about « Those who are loved », which helped me to understand better my family history All the best
Hope you are well! Can't wait for your new novel! ❤️🇬🇷
Love your Writing ✍️ Good luck 🍀beautiful
I love all her novels
Looking forward to the next book, Victoria!
The most red stories among our friends on the Island of Crete, “The Island” they all loved it 🥰
Love your books ❤️❤️
Looking forward to it!
When will your next novel be out ? X
Start to read The Island again. Sending love ❤️
Marilia Kyriacou this author reminds me of you somehow 😘
🧡
❤️🤗
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💯👏👏👏
Lepra are really excited to be working with Victoria Hislop, Gill Smith and Walker Books on a free educational resource based on the children's book, Maria's Island.
Maria’s Island is a compelling story for #KS2 and #KS3 students which follows a family impacted by leprosy, a disease which is often misunderstood. The book examines the challenges they face and how they overcome them.
If your school is looking for a charity to support, then the educational resources, created by Walker Books, can be used for free in class or assembly, alongside a video presentation about how your school can fundraise for Lepra.
For more information or to download educational resources, Visit Lepra
www.lepra.org.uk/marias-island/
Thank you for sharing Victoria Hislop 😊
Great book.
Lisa Jones an idea for your KS2 learners
Sonia’s journey into Granada’s past in THE RETURN begins in a sunlit café in Plaza bib Rambla. This elegant square with its colourful buildings is packed with cafés that each come with their own serving of history... as well as a creamy café con leche and heavenly churros.
Yummy😋. The Return is a lovely book, set in an area I have visited on numerous occasions. You brought back so many happy memories when describing locations I know and love.
Great book!! Look amazing these!🥰
Love this book. And Churros 🤩
Loved The Return Victoria Hislop my Favourite Author ✍️
Des churros. C est excellent en lisant un de vos romans
A ler e a Adorar ❤
Victoria’s CARTES POSTALES FROM GREECE is packed with evocative personal stories set in locations such as Delphi, Meteora, Andros, Ikaria and Preveza.
Victoria says, “The journeys I made for research took me all around the country and the inspiration for different parts of the book came very easily – so I was scribbling a lot of the time as I was actually on the move.”
Not by Victoria Hislop but when watching Season 1 of The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem…it felt very similar to her novels and is a great watch.
All your books are wonderful. Patiently waiting for your newest work. Patiently.
Have read all your books Victoria love them
I loved this book so much
Loved this book, and a bit different too.
I love your books I read them all!
Super book. I am lucky to have it 💯
Read this loved it 😍
Loved the book and the tv series that was on here in Greece. Particularly liked the choice of leading actor.
Έχω διαβάσει το "Νησί", έπειτα παρακολούθησα τη σειρά...και μαγεύτηκα!!! Τώρα παρακολουθώ τη σειρά "Καρτ Ποστάλ". Από το ένα επεισόδιο περνάω στο επόμενο, χωρίς να μπορώ να σταματήσω! Η μητέρα μου μου δώρισε σήμερα και το βιβλίο! Καταπληκτικό όπως και η σειρά!!! Πολλά συγχαρητήρια!!! Σας ευγνωμονούμε εδώ στην Ελλάδα για την αγάπη σας για τον τόπο και τους ανθρώπους!!!
Reading Maria’s Island atm
That's awesome! Congratulations!
HISLOP bravo for yur magnific book CARTE POSTALES FROL GREECE ya quelques jours que je l'ai achete et j'ai commence a le lire vous avez une superbe plume felicitation plus kiss
Love this ❤️
Great read.
À quand en français...... Vite please
με χαρά θα μοιραζόμουν μαζί σας την ιστορία της οικογένειάς μου, που θα μπορούσε να είναι η έμπνευση για το επόμενο βιβλίο σας. Μπορείτε αν θέλετε να μου γράψετε στο messenger. Καλη επιτυχία σε ό,τι κάνετε!
