Children’s literature writer and author of two books, Hasmik Shahinyan attaches importance to the publication of good books for children. The writer, who also works in the Children’s Literature Department of the National Library of France, says children’s literature in France is at a very high level.

“I have had the desire to write since childhood, but I never thought I would write books for children. When I was attending an Armenian school in Lebanon, I would seek Armenian books, but I wouldn’t find books that interested me. That’s why I would read more books in French. When I grew older, I started specializing in pedagogy and children’s literature during my years at the university, and when I had to write my dissertation, I decided to conduct research on children’s literature. I conducted surveys with 10-12-year-old children of Lebanon, Turkey and France to see what books they would like to read and what heroes they would like to see. It turned out that even the children couldn’t find the books they wanted,” Hasmik Shahinyan mentioned in an interview with “Armenpress”.

According to the children’s literature writer, her idea of writing books was born right after that. “I was working in the Department of Children’s Literature at the National Library of France. I would see all the children’s books in French and ask myself why Armenian children couldn’t have such books. I tried to find publishers, but they weren’t interested in children’s literature at all, saying the books wouldn’t be sold. One day, I decided to create the “Kotot” publishing house,” she emphasized.

A new publishing house with an interesting name was established in 2012 with the purpose of dedicating illustrated stories and fairy tales in Western Armenian to children. “The word “Kotot” is easy to pronounce in various languages. There is another explanation. My father would say “kotot” to my niece in a nice way. My first book titled “Nshans” (My Mark) was released in 2012.

I wanted to print it by myself. I wanted to be independent. I didn’t want somebody to give me money and tell me what kinds of books he or she would like to see. I wanted to create the books of my dreams. It’s a little crazy,” the children’s literature writer says. The first book, which is illustrated by Alik Arzumanyan, is about a boy with a birthmark. “I also have a birthmark on my leg. It’s very personal. A mark symbolizes the difference in general.”

““The Day When…”-this is the title of my second book that includes eight stories and is illustrated by David Pintor from Spain. I was introduced to his works at an international exhibition. The book is for children who can already read alone,” Hasmik Shahinyan says, stressing the fact that the stories are short, yet interesting. The author emphasizes that children were excited about the release of her latest book and liked it, and they want more books. So, Shahinyan has decided to publish another book with another eight stories. Hasmik Shahinyan hopes the book is released this year. “The book “My Mark”, which is written in Western Armenian, will be translated into Eastern Armenian this year. Besides, I recently signed a contract to have the book translated into Italian as well,” she emphasized.

The children’s literature writer is also thinking about publishing her books for readers in Yerevan.