Newmag presented four new books for children and young readers on Armenia TV’s “Good Morning” (video)

One of the featured titles was Edmondo De Amicis’s classic novel Heart, one of the most beloved works of world literature.

The book was first published in Armenian in the 1960s. Newmag has now republished the novel with a revised edition, newly translated chapters, and a modern cover design. According to Manu Iritsyan, Newmag’s Multimedia Producer, previous Armenian editions were translated not from Italian but from Russian.

“While working on the new edition, we discovered that more than ten chapters from the original novel had never been translated into Armenian. Those chapters were translated directly from Italian by Sirush Ohanyan.

Earlier editions were published during the Soviet period, and several chapters dealing with the Italian monarchy and the struggle for independence had been omitted. For the first time, Newmag presents Heart in a complete Armenian translation, accompanied by a new editorial revision and a new cover.”

Since Heart is included in school summer reading lists, Mariam Sahakyan, Armenian Language and Literature teacher at Usum School, organized an open discussion with her students, analyzing the novel’s characters, themes, and lessons.

“Through this novel, students read the diary of a schoolboy very much like themselves. They see that children make mistakes, get offended, forgive, and learn. The stories bring teenagers into an emotional world where they can better understand themselves. Themes such as friendship, love, loyalty, and responsibility are especially meaningful during adolescence.”

Newmag also presented three other new publications: Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw, Violette Vaïsse’s Brioche and Tartine: Toutou et n'importe quoi, and Anna Starobinets’s Beastly Detective: The Wolf’s Lair.

Literary Programs Manager Ani Hakobyan introduced the books and their target audiences.

“The third volume of Jeff Kinney’s globally bestselling Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, The Last Straw, continues Greg Heffley’s hilarious adventures. Written in a simple, humorous style and enriched with illustrations, the series makes reading enjoyable and accessible for young readers. The fourth volume will be published in Armenian this autumn.”

Newmag has also launched the Armenian edition of Anna Starobinets’s popular detective series Beastly Detective.

“The heroes of the story are the inhabitants of a forest who must solve a mysterious murder. It is a gripping detective story that combines suspense, humor, and unforgettable animal characters.”

For the youngest readers, Newmag has published Brioche and Tartine: Toutou et n'importe quoi by French illustrator and comic creator Violette Vaïsse.

“This colorful and humorous comic is intended for preschool-aged children. Written with gentle French humor and accompanied by charming illustrations, it follows the adventures of two inseparable friends. The Armenian edition is the first book in a trilogy.”

With these four new publications, Newmag continues to expand its children's and young adult catalog, offering readers of different ages books that educate, entertain, and inspire.