LOS ANGELES, CA - Founded in 1997 to address the urgent need for modern, original children's story books throughout the Armenian Diaspora, Dzil-u-Dzar Publications continues to build on a tradition of excellence. The publisher's latest offering is "Ayp Aboorin - Ayp for Soup," a bilingual Armenian alphabet book.

Dzil-u-Dzar is the brainchild of Alidz Agbabian, a Los Angeles-based storyteller and educator. "We need to start a dialogue in our communities about the importance of Armenian children's literature," explains Agbabian. "Are we concerned about what Armenian books are available for our children? Are authors and publishers addressing the social, developmental and emotional issues in the life of an Armenian child growing up in the Diaspora? Do our children's books offer the new generation insight in helping them discover their identity, cultural heritage and their human potential ?" Dzil-u-Dzar Publications was launched to address some of these issues, with a dedication to engage and enrich the imagination of children.

For her first Dzil-u-Dzar title, Agbabian teamed up with sister Anahid Sarkissian -- herself an accomplished children's book author and illustrator -- as well as Lucina Agbabian Hubbard, a children's music specialist, who wrote a companion song for the story. The result was "Tell Me Who Your Friend Is," a retelling of an Armenian folktale, which was published in 1997 in separate Armenian and English editions. Alidz Agbabian and her team followed the success of "Tell Me Who Your Friend Is" with 1998's "Fire and Water, Sister and Brother," a charming cautionary tale derived from an ancient Armenian myth.

"Ayp Aboorin - Ayp for Soup," Agbabian's latest, is a fun book that familiarizes children with the sounds and names of the Armenian alphabet. The text features a rich variety of simple rhythmic language patterns and rhyming word combinations for each letter of the Armenian alphabet, wittily illustrated by Anahid Sarkissian. With animals, plants and everyday objects assuming human form to convey word meanings, the entries are intuitive, entertaining and user-friendly. They are also conducive to interactive conversations beyond the text.

Like Dzil-u-Dzar's previous releases, "Ayp Aboorin - Ayp for Soup" also contains a companion song, entitled "Ayppenaran" ("Alphabet"), based on an Armenian folk melody, adapted by Lucina Agbabian Hubbard. The song has been tested and performed with great enthusiasm by children of different ages and varying degrees of fluency in Armenian.

Encompassing words, visuals and music, "Ayp Aboorin - Ayp for Soup" makes for a unique educational experience: while the book's focus is on the Armenian text, non-Armenian-speaking families will be able to learn an Armenian word with each letter of the alphabet, recite it and sing the companion song. Each alphabet entry includes English and French translations of Armenian words, and Western and Eastern Armenian transliterations appear at the bottom of each page.

Dzil-u-Dzar's new picture book is dedicated to the 1700th anniversary of the adoption of Christianity in Armenia and the creation of the Armenian alphabet by Mesrop Mashtots in 405 A.D. At 56 pages, printed on glossy stock in soft cover, the book is also more sizable than previous releases. Credit for the high-end color design and production goes to Square One, a Glendale-based company. The publishers are grateful for the financial assistance of the Bedikian Foundation and Mr. & Mrs. Garo Haitayan, which has helped offset the high cost of color printing, and will make the book affordable to a larger readership.

Priced at US $15, "Ayp Aboorin - Ayp for Soup" is appropriate for children aged three to seven. Wholesale discounts apply, depending on purchase volume. This and previous Dzil-u-Dzar titles are available at Armenian bookstores throughout the United States and Dzil-u-Dzar Publications. Call (310) 476-5201, or e-mail at [email protected]