Book Review of My Name Is Areni: A Journey of Remembrance & Renewal
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The Children’s Book Review
My Name Is Areni: A Journey of Remembrance & Renewal
Written by Loucia Isaac Seropian
Illustrated by Narek Hayrapetyan
Ages: 7+ | 42 Pages
Publisher: First Light Books (2024) | ISBN: 978-9939051444
What to Expect: Self-discovery, transformation, healing, spirituality, and Armenian culture.
Loucia Isaac Seropian’s My Name is Areni offers readers a poetic and philosophical exploration of personal transformation that engages both the heart and mind.
This meditative work presents a dialogue between the protagonist Areni and the Armenian goddess Anahit, who represents fertility, healing, wisdom, and water. Through a spiritual conversation, Areni embarks on an introspective journey to reconnect with her eight-year-old self—the untouched essence of who she once was. The narrative follows Areni as she confronts past pain, breaks free from limiting narratives, and discovers the courage to reclaim her authentic identity. Each section moves through different stages of healing—recognition, restoration, resilience, and ultimately renewal.
There is a delicate interplay between Seropian’s introspective prose and Narek Hayrapetyan’s evocative paintings that creates a deeply contemplative experience, guiding readers through their own journey of self-reclamation. Recurring butterfly imagery throughout the text and artwork symbolizes transformation, illustrating the challenging yet beautiful metamorphosis from pain to liberation.
The dialogue structure creates an intimate atmosphere, making readers feel as though they’re overhearing a sacred conversation and serving powerful affirmations with lines like “You are who you were meant to be” and “Pain knows no values, but you do.” Seropian’s writing is remarkably accessible despite tackling profound emotional and philosophical concepts—her prose has a lyrical quality, inviting readers to pause and reflect.
Hayrapetyan’s paintings beautifully complement the text’s emotional journey, using rich golds and warm oranges against various backdrops to create visual metaphors for transformation. The progression of butterfly images—from caterpillar to chrysalis to fully formed butterfly—provides a visual narrative that enhances the written journey without overwhelming it.
My Name is Areni will resonate most deeply with readers navigating personal growth, healing from past wounds, or seeking to reconnect with their authentic selves. Those who appreciate contemplative literature that bridges spiritual wisdom with practical self-discovery will find this book a compassionate companion on their own journey toward wholeness.
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About the Author
Loucia Isaac Seropian began her Public Relations career in 1999 as the Public Relations Director of Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon. In 2004, Loucia moved to Doha, Qatar, where she worked on the launch of two Pan-Arab children’s TV channels: Barem TV Channel and Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, now known as Jeem TV.
Loucia was also responsible for Qatar Debate’s PR and communication plan for the World School Debating Championship 2010 (WSDC 2010) as the Strategic Communications manager. WSDC is the world’s largest debating tournament and one of the largest annual international student events. It is a parliamentary debating event held using a variant of the British Parliamentary Debate format. Loucia’s expertise in youth and media communication extended to working on the national information communication technology e-campaign with ICTQatar (Ministry of Communications and Information Technology) as well as the state-of-the-art hospitality initiatives integrated within the Qatar National Convention Center.
In her most recent role in Doha, Loucia served as the communication consultant for Qatar Primary Material Company (QPMC), the arm responsible for maintaining a strategic stockpile of raw materials in the country. Today, Loucia has been an active contributor to children’s literature. Loucia Isaac Seropian is best known for The Legacy of The Running Lavash, Areni And The Man With The Right Shoe, To The One-in-a-Million Festival and Back, and Friends in Wonderland.
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