BÁBO is about the Armenian tradition of rug-washing, a vivid childhood memory for many in Armenia and Artsakh. Drawing from her own happy memories of washing rugs with her siblings and grandmother, Astrid infuses her tale with the warmth and joy that emanate from her childhood in Armenia. Through BÁBO, Astrid seeks to share this unique and heartwarming Armenian experience, which reflects a sense of community and love.

Astrid Kamalyan’s (MBA’11) debut picture book, BÁBO: A Tale Of Armenian Rug-Washing Day, has been recently published in the U.S. by Charlesbridge Publishing. Seasoned with the Artsakh dialect and traditional Armenian carpet-weaving, BÁBO has garnered widespread acclaim from professional review organizations and readers alike.