I am the author, writer, illustrator (partially) and publisher of The World of Barzu, a series of children’s books about a boy named Barzu, his family, and the world of wonders and legends that surrounds him.  

The goal of the series is to introduce children to the region of Central Asia. Through the story, illustrations, and detailed ethnographic notes at the end of each book, I introduce readers to the diverse cultures of Central Asia, their arts, crafts, and cuisine, as well as the region’s history and contributions to global civilization. This project defines Central Asia as a region combining five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

Each book in the series will focus on specific themes and be structured to facilitate discussion and comparative analysis. The accessible language, detailed illustrations, and engaging stories bring readers as young as three years into a world of fairy tales, while older readers and their parents can dig deeper into the region through the Ethnographic Notes. Additional activities let kids learn through hands-on activities and questions for discussion. The text is complemented by large, colorful illustrations filled with cultural details, which provide visual reference and convey the visual beauty of the region to the readers. This structure allows an individual to discover Central Asia gradually, through different types of learning: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. In 2019, this project received Honorable Mention from Central Eurasian Studies Society.

ORANGE AND BLUE: THE WORLD OF BARZU

Book One in this series, Orange and Blue: The World of Barzu, published in 2017, focuses on ancient bread baking traditions and the connections between Central Asia and India.

Through the story, children will learn how local people bake bread in clay ovens, how they make those wonderful ovens, about sun-dried fruits, about ancient Bukhara and Samarkand, and about local ethnic groups and languages. And, together with the merchant Faiz from the City of Blue Domes, children will journey along the Silk Road to distant Hindustan.And for older readers and their parents there is a separate section of Ethnographic Notes, which provides historical, geographical explanations, detailed descriptions of places and customs.

The book also contains games and recipes for different kinds of Central Asian bread.

Illustrations prepared by the well-known Tajik artist Farrukh Negmatzade and by the author herself. More than 30 spectacular, detailed illustrations in color. Good quality paper – 96 pages. The size of the 12×11 inches/31x28cm.

Orange and Blue: The World of Barzu is available in two separate language versions (English and Russian). Library of Congress Control Number: LCCN 2019418281

Look inside the book here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpYE04K0bz8&t=376s

Please request your copy through Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Marina-Abrams/e/B08YS19ZQL/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

or write to barzuworld@gmail.com

A MESSAGE HIDDEN IN THREAD

Book Two in this series, A Message Hidden in Thread, published in 2026, invites readers into the world of Central Asian textiles and sweet melons. The first part of the book follows Barzu, a cheerful boy spending his summer vacation surrounded by family, friends, and the warm rhythms of village life. His days are filled with sunshine, laughter, and imaginative adventures: flying on a dragon, visiting the circus, discovering vibrant Central Asian textiles, admiring traditional embroidery (suzani, keshde, keste), listening to grandmother’s tales, and savoring sweet melons.

The second part, Ethnographic Notes, is designed for older children and adults who wish to deepen their understanding of the region. It introduces readers to the symbolism and cultural meaning of traditional decorative embroidery, followed by an engaging chapter on the agricultural traditions behind the world‑renowned melons of Central Asia. A standout feature is a table containing proverbs, riddles, and sayings in multiple languages including Uzbek, Kazakh, Tajik, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, and Karakalpak, offering a playful and educational window into shared folk wisdom.

Illustrations for this book are prepared by the artist Gulya Gromova-Djumagari, who divides her time between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan(http://gromova.info/biography.html). Ethnographic Notes are illustrated by Marina Abrams.

Printed on high‑quality paper and featuring more than forty detailed full‑spread illustrations, this 104‑page large‑format volume (11×12 inches) is ideal for preschoolers, early readers, older children, parents, teachers, and anyone interested in the cultural heritage of Central Asia. Available in Russian and English.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2026902153

Please request your copy through Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Marina-Abrams/e/B08YS19ZQL/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

or write to barzuworld@gmail.com