“Imagination on the Loose”: An Interview with Nikitas & Alexandra Mendoros, authors of 13 Children’s Books Inspired by their Sons

By Polismagazino.gr http://www.aspidaradio.com https://www.youtube.com/aspidaradio http://live24.gr/radio/generic.jsp?sid=2868

When you meet Nikitas and Alexandra Mendoros, the husband-and-wife duo behind the Greek radio station Aspida Radio and a flourishing library of whimsical children’s adventures, one thing becomes immediately clear: their stories spring straight from the heart of family life. Storytelling, for them, is not just a creative outlet, it is a way of life, a bridge between generations, and a celebration of imagination in its purest form. Every tale they write is infused with the warmth of family bonds, the magic of childhood curiosity, and the timeless threads of Greek tradition woven seamlessly with universal themes that children everywhere can embrace.

At the center of their creative world are their two young sons, Nicolas and Billy. Far more than mere sources of inspiration, they are the pint-sized muses and fearless heroes of every story. Through their eyes, readers are invited to explore enchanted forests alive with wonder, haunted houses tingling with mystery, shimmering galaxies where stars whisper secrets, and even the forgotten villages of Greece, where history and folklore intertwine. What began as simple bedtime storytelling quickly evolved into something much greater. Each night, when Nikitas and Alexandra tucked Nicolas and Billy into bed, the ritual never ended with an ordinary goodnight. Instead, imagination took flight, kites soared above skyscrapers, magical creatures emerged from the shadows, and ancient villages long lost to earthquakes whispered their stories again. Those intimate bedtime adventures, born in the quiet corners of family life, became the seeds of a vast and ever-expanding literary universe.

Today, that universe has blossomed into 13 children’s books and 5 companion coloring books so far, each designed to do more than entertain. They invite children to explore courage, kindness, curiosity, and the unshakable strength of family ties. Every page is both a window and a mirror, offering young readers a chance to see themselves reflected in the characters while also opening doors to new worlds of discovery. To make these stories accessible to as many children as possible, the books are published in English, Greek and Spanish, ensuring that their adventures can cross borders and cultures, uniting readers through the shared joy of imagination.

But the Mendoros family’s creativity does not stop on the page. Nikitas and Alexandra also breathe life into their stories through original children’s songs, musical interpretations that carry the same magic as their books. These melodies, playful and full of heart, give children another way to experience the adventures of Nicolas and Billy. The songs are available on YouTube, where families can listen, sing along, and let the rhythm of storytelling continue long after the final page has been turned. Music, for the couple, is not just an accompaniment but an extension of their vision, another pathway into the world they have built for their children and for families everywhere.

And still, the creativity flows in other directions. Beyond books and music, Nikitas and Alexandra continue to share their voices and ideas through Aspida Radio, their cultural platform that connects communities, celebrates heritage, and promotes creativity. Whether they are behind a microphone, writing a new story, or composing a song, their mission remains the same: to transform everyday family moments into extraordinary adventures. In doing so, they have not only created a collection of stories but also a legacy of imagination, a gift that children and parents alike can treasure for years to come.

Q: How did this incredible journey of writing 13 children’s books and 5 coloring books even begin?

Nikitas: Honestly, it started the way many parenting adventures do, by accident! One night, our boys asked for a bedtime story. I didn’t want to read the same book again, so I just started making one up about a kite flying through the big city. Nicolas and Billy were hooked.

Alexandra: And the next day, they wanted to hear the same story again and then another one, with more twists and more magic. That was our “aha moment.” We thought, why not write it down? Before we knew it, Kite Adventure in the Big City! was born, and the rest spiraled from there. We had the demo short version of the story, but it eventually expanded to a lengthier book.

Q: The adventures are incredibly varied; forests, Puerto Rico, Kefalonia, Greece, even outer space! How do you choose the settings?

Alexandra: We draw a lot from our travels, family roots, and the places we dream about. Puerto Rico came from a trip we take twice a year as a family. Kefalonia and Greece are deeply personal because of our heritage and family ties. Both of our family background is from Kefalonia.

Nikitas: And the fun part is, our boys don’t see limits. To them, it’s perfectly normal to go from a backyard kite adventure to time travel or a cosmic journey the very next day. We try to bottle up that childhood imagination where anything is possible and put it on the page.

Q: Tell us about your two main characters, Nicolas and Billy. How closely are they based on your real sons?

Nikitas: Very closely! Nicolas, in the books, is a bold leader just like our older son. He’s always hatching plans, sometimes getting them into a little trouble, but his heart is in the right place.

Alexandra: And Billy is the curious little brother; playful, funny, and sometimes mischievous. The dynamic between them is very real; they adore each other but also get into classic sibling scrapes.

Q: Do Nicolas and Billy know they’re the stars of these adventures?

Alexandra: Oh, absolutely! They take it very seriously. Sometimes they even give us “suggestions” for the next book. Nicolas once told us, “Can you make me shrink really small so I can ride a ladybug?” which eventually became The Incredible Shrinking Adventure.

Nikitas: And Billy wanted ghosts and a spooky house, so guess what? A Haunted House Adventure came to life. We joke that they’re our unpaid creative directors.

Q: Your books are unique because instead of illustrations, they use real photographs. How did that idea come about?

Nikitas: Photography has always been a passion of mine. I wanted to capture the world through my own lens and bring that sense of realism into our stories. Every location you see in the books whether it’s a bustling city street, a forest trail, or a quiet Greek village is a real place I’ve photographed. We thought; why not let children step directly into the real world through pictures instead of drawings? It makes the adventure feel immediate, like they’re truly walking alongside Nicolas and Billy.

Alexandra: It also makes our books stand out. While many children’s books are beautifully illustrated, we wanted to give kids a different kind of magic—the magic of recognizing that these places actually exist and that they could visit them someday.

Q: What do children respond to most about the real photographs in your books?

Alexandra: They’re amazed that the locations are real! We often hear from parents that their kids ask, “Can we go there?” or “Does that building really exist?” It turns reading into both an adventure and a discovery.

Nikitas: The full-color photos bring a layer of authenticity. They’re vibrant, detailed, and sometimes even a little unexpected. For us, it’s rewarding to know that kids are not only enjoying the story but also engaging with the real world around them through these images.

Q: You’ve also created five coloring books to accompany the series. What inspired that?

Nikitas: We wanted kids not just to read the adventures but also to join in. The coloring books let them interact with Nicolas and Billy’s world. They can make the kite red or rainbow-striped, turn the enchanted forest purple, or give the haunted house green ghosts. Plus, we’ve included maps, puzzles, crossword games.

Alexandra: It’s an invitation to creativity, just like our boys inspired us, we want other children to see themselves as part of the story. Funny thing is that we’ve also created banners, shirts, sneakers, school backpacks and dolls based on our sons.

Q: Have Nicolas and Billy’s classmates had a chance to experience the books?

Alexandra: Yes! Their teachers have been wonderful in bringing the books into the classroom. The boys have had the joy of sitting with their friends while the stories were read aloud, and the response was incredible. The children were so excited to realize that their classmates, Nicolas and Billy were the heroes of the books.

Nikitas: It was a magical moment. You could see their classmates’ faces light up as they recognized their friends in the adventures. It made the stories feel even more real for them. For Nicolas and Billy, it was a proud and fun experience too, seeing their classmates cheer for them as if they were celebrities in their own world of stories.

Q: Which book was the hardest to write?

Alexandra: The first book was the most difficult because we had no idea what we were doing and how to piece the photos and storyline together. After this book, we had a clear understanding how to proceed with the following books. Then, Adventure in the Lost Villages of Kefalonia was a bit difficult. It’s magical but also rooted in real history and folklore. We wanted to honor the island’s past, including the devastating 1953 earthquake, while still making it an enchanting children’s story.

Nikitas: Balancing history with fantasy was not easy but it became one of the books we’re most proud of. My mother, Antonia Mendoros, shared stories about the devastating 1953 earthquake and what her parents and siblings endured during and after the disaster. She was only four years old at the time, too young to remember much herself, but she grew up hearing vivid accounts from her parents.

This past summer, my mother and I walked together through the old village of Valsamata where she was born. As we strolled, she pointed out where her grandparents and old relatives once lived, how certain buildings had looked, and where her own two-story childhood home once stood. Today, there is almost nothing left, just a couple of water wells remain. The stones and building blocks that once held so many lives and memories have long since disappeared, as if erased from history.

I learned, the island of Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands, has long been known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and picturesque villages. According to local tradition and various sources, the island once boasted 365 villages, one for every day of the year. These settlements were scattered across mountains, valleys, and coastlines, each with its own unique character and traditions.

However, this landscape changed dramatically after the devastating earthquake of August 1953, which nearly leveled the island. Entire villages were destroyed, many never rebuilt, and countless residents were forced to emigrate. While some communities were reconstructed in modern form, others vanished completely, leaving only ruins, overgrown paths, and fading memories.

Today, Kefalonia still carries the legacy of its “365 villages,” though many exist only in stories, old maps, and the hearts of those who remember them.

Inspired by the many villages that once existed on the island, we decided to create a children’s book titled The Adventure in the Lost Villages of Kefalonia.

Q: And which book was the most fun to write?

Nikitas: Hands down, “A Balloon Adventure”. We went wild with that one. It was a tribute to a short story that my brother and I have filmed many years ago. It was simply based on evil and good balloons. It felt like being kids ourselves again.

Alexandra: For me, it was A Christmas Key Adventure. Writing about the magic of Christmas through the eyes of our boys made it extra special. It’s a fun Christmas story.

Q: Your books have a very warm, family-driven heart. What message do you hope children (and parents) take away?

Alexandra: That adventure doesn’t always mean traveling far. Sometimes the biggest adventures are in your imagination, your backyard, or even a bedtime story.

Nikitas: And that family, brothers, parents, grandparents are part of that magic. We hope our books remind kids that love and curiosity go hand in hand.

Q: Writing as a married couple, what’s that like? Do you divide the work or collaborate on everything?

Alexandra: Nikitas is the dreamer. He’ll come up with ten crazy plot twists in a row, and I’ll say, “Okay, let’s keep three.” It works because we balance each other.

Nikitas: It’s definitely a team effort, though I’ll admit Alexandra likes to simplify the stories. I have to be reminded that these stories are for young children. She polishes my wild ideas into something readable.

Q: What’s next for Nicolas and Billy? Any new adventures in the works?

Nikitas: Always! Our boys keep giving us new ideas. We’re toying with something underwater, an ocean treasure hunt with sea creatures or something religious. We shall see.

Alexandra: And maybe even a mystery series where Nicolas and Billy solve puzzles around the world. With them, the possibilities are endless.

Q: Last question, what advice would you give to parents who dream of writing books for their children?

Nikitas: Just start. Don’t worry if it’s “perfect.” Write the bedtime story, jot down the silly idea; let your kids inspire you.

Alexandra: And remember, kids don’t want perfect, they want fun, heart, and imagination. If you write with love, they’ll feel it.

Closing Note

From flying kites in big cities to uncovering ancient secrets in Kefalonia, Nikitas and Alexandra have built a literary universe where two adventurous brothers show the world that childhood is a treasure chest of stories waiting to be told. With more adventures surely on the horizon, one thing is clear: Nicolas and Billy’s journey is just beginning.

1. Kite Adventure in the Big City!: https://a.co/d/7vQJov9

2. Adventures in the Enchanted Forest: https://a.co/d/1vxb9wf

3. Adventures in Puerto Rico: https://a.co/d/3NmU2LY

4. Adventures in Kefalonia: https://a.co/d/dij3uPr

5. Adventures in Greece: https://a.co/d/1VHZTSn

6. A Musical Adventure: https://a.co/d/dHZgd5h

7. A Time Twister Adventure: https://a.co/d/ihyJQCU

8. A Haunted House Adventure: https://a.co/d/38sUDhj

9. A Cosmic Adventure: https://a.co/d/07Pa8pEp

10. A Christmas Key Adventure: https://a.co/d/5TK7Fba

11. A Balloon Adventure: https://a.co/d/1aHB76X

12. The Incredible Shrinking Adventure: https://a.co/d/iAOqdsS