“The Book of Disasters” by Maria Andrikopoulou, illustrated by Myrto Delivoria, is an informational book that focuses on the term “disaster.” Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, landslides, floods, fires, tropical storms, droughts, pandemics, acts of aggression, wars, technological accidents, and climate crisis— all natural and human-made disasters that impact people, animals, and the environment are presented in “The Book of Disasters.”

This “bible of disaster” does not “alarm” or “be pessimistic.” The design of the publication, credited to Kalenti publications, aims to make phenomena more understandable and to raise environmental awareness among readers. The book encompasses all types of disastrous phenomena so that young readers can approach the events that have become part of our lives with knowledge. It is written from the perspective of civil protection and within the framework of disaster management, namely, the need to shield ourselves from dangers.

It aims to inform both children and adults about potential natural hazards that can escalate into disasters and to familiarize us with essential ways to protect ourselves from their occurrence. Besides information about natural phenomena and guidance on protection and prevention, the publication is enriched with sections that present interesting mythological elements in a concise manner.

“In the past, people attributed the causes of disasters to imaginary creatures or divine punishment. The collective memory of all cultures is filled with references to disastrous phenomena, such as the plagues of the Pharaoh and Noah's flood, as well as Deucalion in Greek mythology. Even today, we refer to a significant disaster as ‘divine wrath,’” the author points out in her preface.

The rich content of the book can be utilized in various ways by educators in the context of developing children’s skills through workshops in the section CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT: Climate Change/Natural Disasters/Civil Protection, National and Global Cultural Heritage.