With great enthusiasm and a deep love for books, the students and educators of “Usum” school were not only guests but also active participants and hosts at the “Dream Book” Children’s Book Festival. Celebrating its 3rd anniversary, the festival brought together children, parents, and teachers, creating a warm, creative environment that fosters intellectual development—not only for its primary beneficiaries, the children, but also for parents and educators.
The opening speech was delivered by singer and actor Samvel Maloyan, who presented the history of collaboration between Newmag and Yeraz Projects, highlighting the conceptual foundation of the day and emphasizing the importance of reading in shaping a healthy and intellectually enriched childhood.
Throughout the day, participants enjoyed books, meetings, discussions, and interactive games designed for children, parents, and teachers alike. During the festival, five new publications from the “Dream” series were presented to readers, spanning a wide range of genres—from comics to novels, from detective fiction to parenting literature. The youngest member of Yeraz Projects, Nare Hovhannisyan, introduced the three-year journey of the “Dream” series and its symbolic unicorn, representing children’s imagination, dreams, and creative thinking.
Gohar Manukyan, Head of Strategic and Special Projects at Newmag Publishing House, spoke about the importance of the series, emphasizing that in today’s reality, reading should be perceived as a conscious choice rather than an obligation imposed by teachers or parents.
The festival’s honored guest was Latvian writer Rasa Bugavičiūtė-Pēce, widely known among readers for her book “The Boy Who Sees in the Dark.” During the discussion with the author, questions were raised about character prototypes, everyday life, and connections to reality. Rasa also shared her impressions from her visit to Armenia, noting that a DNA test she had taken years ago revealed that approximately 60% of her genetic background is Armenian, which contributed to her feeling almost at home in Armenia.
With great pride, it should be noted that the festival became a unique milestone in expanding and strengthening the school’s external relations. A vivid example of this was the presentation of Jeff Kinney’s “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw,” which was entirely entrusted to student council member, fifth-grader Aram Nahapetyan. Through an interactive game, the young presenter introduced various scenarios, inviting the audience to determine whether they were related to the book’s controversial protagonist, Greg Heffley, or not. The presentation concluded with a humorous yet meaningful message: “Don’t be like Greg Heffley—be like Aram.”
Special attention was given to the presentation of Edmondo De Amicis’s novel “Heart.” Although the book has been published multiple times, Gohar Manukyan noted that a new edition was necessary to present classical values to modern readers in a renewed format. In an interview with usumschool.am, Newmag Executive Director Artak Aleksanyan mentioned that this new edition is complete and includes 14 stories that had been omitted during the years of Soviet censorship.
Students of “Usum” school were also actively involved in this presentation. It was conducted in the format of an open lesson led by Armenian language and literature teacher Mariam Sahakyan. Fifth- and sixth-grade students shared their reflections based on their reading experience. They spoke about kindness, humanity, and friendship, analyzed characters, and attempted to identify the kindest one. Students emphasized that being strong is important, but using strength is not always necessary. They expressed the belief that people are not born kind but become so through their actions, and even in difficult environments, it is possible to remain kind and take responsibility for changing one’s surroundings. They also reflected on the tension between duty and emotion, noting that life would become monotonous if guided solely by obligations.
Among the presentations was also Anna Starobinets’s “Beastly Detective.” Usum student Alex and editor-in-chief Gnel Nalbandyan explored the audience’s attitude toward the detective genre through an interactive game, demonstrating that it knows no age limits. They emphasized that detective stories can be created for teenagers as well, using allegorical approaches with animals or fictional characters. The activity also revealed participants’ motivations for enjoying detective fiction.
The festival also featured presentations of Violette Wais’s “Brioche and Tartine” and Noel Janis-Norton’s “Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting.” In the latter, our school once again had a distinguished presence. The presentation took the form of a panel discussion, with Angela Manasyan, head of “Usum” school’s original “Conscious Parenting” platform, serving as a speaker. Well-versed in the book, which is based on 40 years of experience, she highlighted its key ideas, emphasizing that “the absence of a problem is already good news.”
She stressed the importance of practical advice, the ability to see positive aspects in children’s mistakes, and the role of “descriptive praise.” Special attention was given to “mind-training” as an effective method of parent-child communication. Panel participants also emphasized the importance of careful word choice when communicating with children. Angela Manasyan noted that the platform, as a developing and ongoing initiative, is the first of its kind in Armenia’s school environment and enjoys the strong support of the school leadership, aiming to benefit not only its own community but also parents across the country.
She also announced the upcoming launch of a second seminar series focused on self-care. Speakers addressed this topic as well, emphasizing that in modern society, self-care is not a luxury but a necessity. Parents must prepare children for a life where they will not always be present. The widely recognized principle “The best parent is a happy parent” was presented as a fundamental psychological approach. It was also emphasized that the goal is to raise not merely obedient children, but children who can engage in discussion.
The festival concluded with a message from the organizing team, encouraging participants to look forward to next year’s gathering while also continuing collaboration through new initiatives beyond the festival itself.
To not think freely is to not think at all!
