Illustrated by Aniat Semirdzhyan
Charlesbridge
2023
32 pages
ISBN: 9781623543587
Lively, lovely and full of laughs, Babo: A Tale of Armenian Rug-Washing Day is a sure hit!
Bábo enlists the children help her in cleaning all of gorgeous Armenian rugs in their household. They roll up and carry the rugs to the front of the house where they "soak, soap and wash the rugs." For the kids, it's not a chore, it's a celebration. In fact, the kids wait all year for a sunny day in June to wash and play in the water and soap. The suds and water become rain and snowflakes. The children scrub and scrub. Then it's time to SLIDE.
The rugs are turned over and washed on the underside and are perfect until...the famly dog chases a rooster across the rugs! Then the chickens get loose, and it's a party. Once the kids catch the birds, they rewash the rugs and set them on benches to dry. Now it's time for a snack. Babo (Grandmother) and her pastries feel like a warm hug. The memories of rug-cleaning day are a treat for all readers to experience.
A glossary, author's note and a page titled "About Armenian Carpet-Weaving Tradition" helps readers understand the importance family, living off the land by pickling and preserving summer's bounty of herbs and fruits and washing (playing) the rugs that have been passed down for generations.
What a wonderful love letter to Armenia and family! A treasure of a read. Colorful illustrations capture the joy of childhood and the fun melee of dirty dog paws and loose chickens.
Ages 3 and up.
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