Rose by the Sea An Armenian Journey of Courage and Hope

"Rose by the Sea" is a poignant and ultimately hopeful picture book based on the true story of the author's great-grandmother, Dzovinar. It gently introduces young readers to the difficult historical event of the Armenian Genocide, depicting Dzovinar and her sister's forced displacement, the loss of their parents, and their arduous journey to safety. The narrative emphasizes their resilience, courage, and the enduring power of hope as they navigate new lands, first France and then America, to build a new life. This book is suitable for children aged 4-11, offering a sensitive entry point for discussing themes of displacement, survival, and cultural identity, while also celebrating the strength of the human spirit.

Based on the true story of the author’s great-grandmother, this fierce yet hopeful picture book about surviving the Armenian Genocide sparkles with hope and heart even amid unspeakable tragedy—perfect for readers of The Proudest Blue and Yuyi Morales’s Dreamers. Rose is what my parents call me: Dzovinar, their rose by the sea. Dzovinar (“zill-ven-ar”) lives with her family in Armenia, where the hillside is dotted with sheep and the apricot trees bloom every spring. She loves her home—but one day, soldiers storm her village, and she returns to an empty house. Their parents gone, Dzovinar and her sister are forced to flee. Afraid and alone, they journey across the desert, then over the ocean: first to France and then to America, where they hope a new future will bloom. Changed but not lost, Dzovinar takes root in a new land…forever a rose by the sea.