Long Story Short: The Instagram algorithm did it.

Longer (but still short) Story
It was soon after releasing the Eastern Armenian version of Ourakh Khozooguh, I was scrolling Instagram on a weekday night and this is what the algorithm chose to show me...
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​​After watching that raccoon adorably attempt to catch snowflakes as they fell from the sky, I liked the post. Because I liked it, the algorithm showed me more raccoon related posts, and slowly I became a fan, liking every video I was shown. 

Did you know in some states, it's legal to keep a raccoon as a domesticated animal??!

So yes, a little obsessed. But why?

Well, in part because they are cute....with their burglar-masked eyes and human-like hands, but also because they are smart. Not just smart, but clever, curious, crafty, and playful.

I also wanted to introduce the Armenian word for raccoon. I had only recently learned it myself from the Armenian translated Frog and Toad books. Why not read books for entertainment and build our vocabulary, too?

If you're not convinced that raccoons are adorable, or if you're a closet raccoon fan already, follow Kids Reading Armenian on Instagram where I'll be sharing a raccoon-featured story almost every day for the next 30 days. I hope you'll come to see what I saw in them -- fascinating, smart, cute animals. And don't forget to buy your copy of Pari Churarchuh today!

If the last four months have shown us anything, it's that there is no guarantee of survival for Armenia in its existing state. While we catch our breath from the most tragic period of modern-day Armenian history, and we're challenged with continuing the fight -- the fight to keep our land, to secure our borders, to support Armenians of Artsakh who have had their lives uprooted -- I'm reminded that my goal has always been to promote Armenian literacy and to protect the longevity of our language.

It's with this in mind that I'm proud to announce my upcoming third Armenian Children's Book, Anoush Koon, Pari Yeraz (Անուշ Քուն, Բարի Երազ).

The title, Anoush Koon, Pari Yeraz, which translates to 'sweet sleep, good dream,' is a traditional Armenian goodnight wish that my maternal grandmother used when I was a child, and I now use it every night with my own children. After having a few weeks of challenging nighttime routines at home, it was clear to me that I was destined to write a book about going to bed. In this book, Nabasdag, struggles to focus on all the tasks at hand that will lead to a prompt bedtime and a restful sleep. There's playing and drawing, laughing and singing, drinking water and then more water and then even more water(!), but no sleep. Like my own children, Nabasdag is adorable, lovable, and full of spirit. Hopefully they will all get to bed on time more often.

Anoush Koon, Pari Yeraz (Անուշ Քուն, Բարի Երազ) is now available for pre-order (shipping in April). ​

It’s been a long hiatus. But having babies is no joke! Our second baby is now almost seven month old. 

You know what else is no joke? Being a parent to two kids. I was warned, but that doesn’t mean I was prepared. Thankfully for us, we have a couple of great kids and every day I manage to get some free time. And now that our house is full and our family is complete (translation, no more kids!), I’m using that free time to get back to writing that second book I was talking about a couple of years ago. Yes, it’s been almost two years!!

Over the past few months I’ve been working with my new editor, Betty, who’s just finished polishing up our next story. The message of the story is about teamwork — working together and the power in numbers — and what better way to talk about teamwork than through the day-to-day lives of ants. 

The story is now with my illustrator, Lily, who’s just kicked off her process and sent me this first sketch so we can decide on style and design for the characters. Check it out...  

I can’t wait to share more with you over the next couple of months as this book comes together. I’ll need your help with some of it. For example, I don’t have a title yet, but I have some options and I’m taking suggestions. Look out for the poll/survey that I’ll send out about this in the next few weeks!

Now that things are rolling, we’re really excited over here! Hope you’re excited too. 

xo
-Taline 

The Kickstarter is officially successfully funded!! A huge thanks to all the backers!

This whole project has been an extremely rewarding experience!

From writing a story that I will one day read to my child and she will later read to herself, to watching pledges for funding come in every day from friends, family, people I don't even know, and from Armenians and non-Armenians alike.

The Happy Piggy Armenian book for kids Kickstarter project is 221% funded by 151 backers who collectively pledged $6,188​