Children’s Magazine in Armenian to be Launched
Asbarez
Jan 29th, 2010
GLENDALE – `Gakavig,’ a colorful new monthly magazine for children, is
being launched in Southern California in the first week of February.
Parents of young children in the Armenian-American community have long
complained of a shortage of child-friendly books and magazines in the
Armenian language. For children 7 and under, parents can find hundreds
of books with simple stories, basic vocabulary, and powerful images –
in English. Not so in Armenian.
Enter Juliette Davtian. Her clear vision: to give Armenian children a
colorful and fun way to see and hear stories in Armenian, to learn
reading and counting in Armenian, and to relate to the world around
them in the Armenian language.
`Children learn best through colorful images,’ Davtian said. `They
have different talents. As adults, we should recognize children’s
different styles of learning and interacting, and promote the best
possible development of their natural strengths and weaknesses.’
The magazine has colorful artwork and will feature stories, poems,
riddles, songs, cut-and-paste projects, children’s cooking projects, a
bit of science, and more. Using classical Armenian spelling, the
magazine is in both Eastern and Western Armenian.
A successful venture starts with a vision, but it requires much more.
Davtian brings it all to the table. She has an MBA and marketing
experience, as well as years of experience as a preschool teacher,
Armenian Saturday school teacher, and a resident counselor for
children and teenage girls, With a degree in psychology and child
development, she is exceptionally well prepared for the venture she
has started.
Now it’s a matter of hard work and enthusiastic community response.
`Starting a print publication in the Armenian-American community,
especially in a time of economic uncertainty, is not a safe path to
take, and several people have kindly reminded me of this fact,’
Davtian said.
`At the same time, I have been touched by the generous support of
several distinguished members of our community. They understand that
our community needs an excellent children’s magazine, and share my
confidence that parents and children will be excited to have `Gakavig’
in their homes every month.’
`Gakavig’ will be available through several Armenian schools and in
Southern California grocery stores. Subscriptions are available by
calling 818.548.2438 or writing [email protected]