FRANCIE STATHATOU was born and raised in Athens. She graduated from the Arsakio Girl's School, received a diploma in English and French and worked for the National Bank of Greece. She took her first steps in writing when she contributed to famous children's magazines. She also worked with a number of different magazines for adults, writing short stories, articles, editorials and travel prose. Her work, particularly that for children, has been awarded by a number of different organizations including the Society of Macedonian Studies, the Women's Literary Society, the Circle of the Greek Children's Book, the Ministry of Culture as well as the Ministry of Education. She was also assigned by the latter Ministry to write the official textbook for the 2nd Grade. Apart from these, she worked with the National Greek Broadcasting Corporation, writing and editing content for children's programs. Shortly before her death in 2007, she was honoured with the Penelope Delta Prize by the Circle of the Greek Children's Book for her entire work and her contribution to the Greek literary world. Her name was mentioned on the IBBY Honour List in 1972. Francie's books are considered classic yet always contemporary reads for children.
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