"Pushkin and Chizhik" and "Pushkin and Neighbors": innovative books with a multimedia format

      Two new books have been released in the collectible series "Pushkin and Mikhaylovskoye. Multiverse": "Pushkin and Chizhik" and "Pushkin and Neighbors." The works are authored by the well-known Russian screenwriter and director Ekaterina Gavryushkina. The core of the books is based on the popular animated series "Pushkin and... Mikhaylovskoye."

      The originality of the series lies in its innovative format, which seamlessly combines four genres in one publication: engaging original stories from the life of the great poet in Mikhaylovskoye village, scenes from their animated series, vivid illustrations by artist Igor Shaymardanov, and comics creating a dynamic visual component. Additionally, each book contains a QR code that allows readers to instantly access the corresponding series of the cartoon, expanding the story with animation content and making reading more interactive and captivating. All of these elements together make the series particularly appealing to readers of all ages.

      The stories told by Ekaterina Gavryushkina in a magical adventure format allow immersing oneself in the biography and creative world of the great poet. Besides Alexander Sergeevich, other historical characters appear in the books, as well as cute and fluffy heroes — Cat, Dog, and Mouse — who are sure to delight children. The native Mikhaylovskoye of Pushkin becomes a magical place where real miracles and incredible adventures happen.

      The author admitted that the idea of creating the book series came quite unexpectedly. "After finishing work on the animated series, we felt that the project could and should be made more complete, profound, and voluminous," says Ekaterina Gavryushkina. "That’s how we understood that the books are a necessary continuation, an organic part of the emerging universe called 'Pushkin and... Mikhaylovskoye.' Huge thanks to Eksmo publishing house, which supported our idea."

      The main difference between the book and the series is that — finally — Pushkin is speaking. The characters in "Pushkin and... Mikhaylovskoye" do not speak on screen; all action takes place accompanied by the wonderful original music by composer Vyacheslav Kruglik, and the poet’s verses are declaimed by People's Artist of Russia Sergey Bezrukov. "In our books, Alexander Sergeevich finally has a voice — lively, human, with thoughts, feelings, doubts," explains Ekaterina Gavryushkina. "The reader can not only observe him but also hear what he might say at a given moment. And not only him — even a tiny character like Mouse gains inner world and the right to her own reflections."

      Both in the animated series and the books, Ekaterina Gavryushkina aimed to portray Pushkin not as a bronze genius but as a living human being: with emotions, doubts, internal growth. On pages and on screen, he is sincere, curious, witty, self-ironic, attentive, and caring towards loved ones. "I wanted the readers to see not only the external side of the poet’s life, to enjoy his creativity, but also to feel the strength of his nature — as support for themselves," clarifies Ekaterina Gavryushkina. "Pushkin inspires not only with his poetry but also by the very fact of his honesty before himself and his era. Our Pushkin is real. He can be strong and vulnerable, cheerful and deeply introspective, and in this way, he becomes particularly close."

      The author believes that the book successfully reveals what remains behind the scenes of the cartoon: "It provides a unique opportunity to look into the hero’s soul, to explore him deeper than a cartoon or film can. During the creation of the animated series, many parts — meanings, symbolism, mysticism — remained undeclared, difficult or impossible to visualize. We had to rely on the audience’s engagement, their desire to think further and feel more deeply. But that is more characteristic of adult perception, whereas our audience is mostly children. Here, the book becomes a bridge: it not only allows expanding the boundaries of imagination but also leaves that very freedom — to imagine Pushkin as the reader envisions him."

      "Pushkin and Chizhik" and "Pushkin and Neighbors" are the second and third books of the "Pushkin and... Mikhaylovskoye" collection, published by Eksmo. The first book — "Pushkin and the Mermaid" — was released in February 2025. Eleven more books from this series are expected to be published.

      The "Pushkin and... Mikhaylovskoye" book collection is part of the Multiverse, which, besides the books and the eponymous series, includes the full-length animated film "Oh, Pushkin!" for the whole family, currently showing in Russian cinemas and available via the Pushkin Card. The film uniquely combines literary works created during Pushkin’s exile with vivid biographical facts from his life in exile in Mikhaylovskoye. The work on the animated series "Pushkin and... Caucasus" (26 episodes) is also nearing completion, with a scheduled release in summer 2025.

      Ekaterina Gavryushkina, author of the collectible series "Pushkin and... Mikhaylovskoye," Russian screenwriter and director: "I would very much like every reader, regardless of age, to find something very personal in this story and to hear the poet’s voice inside themselves."