Book shops in Saratov turned down an ideological book for kids.
The book, titled "Putinites: Verses for Children", was written by Irina Konnova, a Saratov resident. Ms Konnova came up with the idea after watching a TV programme in which Vladimir Putin, at that time still President, stressed the need to increase the birthrate and introduce the "maternity fund" scheme. "The words "little Putinites" immediately popped into my head," Ms Konnova recalled. She's convinced that the television programme worked miracles: not long after it aired, a bunch of newborns appeared in her neighbourhood. She decided to take pictures of children playing, put them all together in an album and write a verse to go with each picture. "It will be a remarkable little book," she said, and promptly began to search for a sponsor. She first showed her book to State Duma deputy Alexander Yanklovich, a member of United Russia. Unfortunately, after arguing that the author, a pensioner, was not even a resident of his constituency, the party member showed his true colours and refused to finance the book. Ms Konnova then turned to independent deputy Viktor Markov (previously a member of SPS), who gave her 1500 roubles, though, "for her health, not for the book's publication". The author claims she then published the collection of verses with her own pension money.
The book's cover shows a young boy smiling and holding up a Russian flag against the background of a larger Russian flag. The opening verse is titled "Little Putinites" (Putinyata) and opens with the words: "Uncle Putin was ruling our country, Russia". The verse then goes on to explain in simple words how the president dreamt of a great Russia and was worried by demographic problems. He "issued an order to the nation: "every mum should have one child? /that's not enough, she must have two!"
The book was printed on glossy paper and in full colour by Ippolit printing shop (one of the most expensive in the city) in a press run of 200 copies. Mrs Konnova offered the book to local shops. To recover the money that she had already spent, the price had to be set at 100 roubles. Yet, all the shops turned down the ideological book, explaining that they were getting their merchandise centrally from Moscow. Kindergartens had a similar response. While they said that "the book is very good and we would gladly take it," they were only willing to accept it as a gift. Irina Konnova eventually gave part of the press run to the regional public and central children's library, but she is still keeping about 100 copies at home.
Nadezhda Andreyeva