Giannis S. Papadatos

Giannis S. Papadatos hails from Zervata, Kefalonia. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Preschool Education and Educational Design at the University of the Aegean, as well as a book critic. He studied pedagogy and political science. His doctoral dissertation focused on "Environmental Issues in Greek Children's Fiction (1975-1990): A Literary and Socio-pedagogical Approach." He has served as a teacher in schools in Kefalonia and Athens and as a school counselor in Glyfada and Athens. He has been a regular contributor to publications such as "Teachers' Club" (1993-2004), "UNICEF and the World" (1999-2006), "Ithaca" (2000-2004), "Kathimerini" (2003-2006), "Diavazo" (1992-2010), "Little Euclid" (2004-2008), and "Children's Literature Review" (1986-2003), where he was part of the editorial team and managed the content from 1993 to 1997. His works have been included in collective volumes in Greece and abroad and in various publications (Educational Community, Educational Notebooks, Teachers' Club, Educational Club, Bookmark, Mandragoras, Elitrochos, New Level, Periplous, Letters and Arts, Avgi, Ithaca, In Focus, Kathimerini, etc.). He has participated in the writing teams for the Anthologies of Elementary School for Grades 3-4 ("The School of the World") and Grades 5-6 ("With Reason and Dream"). His scientific interests focus on the theory and criticism of literature, the "didactic" approach to poetry, and essays. From 1996 to 2012, he taught courses related to children's literature and children's books at the Marasleio Teachers' College of Primary Education. He has also occasionally taught related courses at Regional Training Centers and in the equivalency of teachers' degrees at the Universities of Athens and the Aegean, as well as creative writing courses at the Marasleio Teachers' College. He has participated in programs of the National Book Center ("Fairy Tales," "Innovative Reading Promotion Actions"). He was awarded in 1997 by the Circle of the Children's Book for a Reading Promotion Program and again by the same organization in 2016 for his overall contribution to Children's Literature (Penelope Delta Award).