This book truly is my “coup de coeur” of the summer… and I looked at (and bought!) a lot of books during my 3 and half weeks in France!! I read it in a book shop in Annecy… and couldn’t help laughing out loud… twice!! I knew then I had to buy it!!
What attracted me to it? The fluff on the front no doubt and also thinking it might be a good one to revise “je m’appelle” so I can learn my new pupils’ names. I am so glad I picked it up!
I agree with the Institut Francais’s Culturethèque as they love it and you can even read it here on their website… before you go and buy it in paper copy as am sure you will want to! If nothing else it is fluffy on the front cover which your children will adore! (I do!)
Language of text: French
Author: Claire Cantais
Intended age of students: Key Stage 1,2 and 3
Source reference: 9782358710077
Approaches:
You can initially read this book to the class but it is also a great one for them to read to each other or read independently as it is simple enough. You can use it as an introduction to French names and/or revision of French sounds.
When you share it with the class, the pupils can all easily join in and will enjoy doing so.
Rationale:
I want to use it because it will make the children laugh! They do need to know what “prout” means though… they will do already if you have read “Caca boudin” to them… if you haven’t, please check out my blog on it!
Outcomes:
You can also work on onomatopoeia with this book and have lots of fun role-playing/re-enacting the story. The pupils could change the names of the characters to other French-sounding names. They could even write their own version of the book and may actually know how to spell “Je m’appelle” at the end of it! 😉
Topics or themes:
This is the perfect book to introduce/recap how to say your name at the beginning of the year; it enables you to look at French names and sounds again too.
Grammar: negatives; the future tense.
How much time required: 10 minutes-an hour
You can buy this amazing book here on Amazon.co.uk.
What is your favourite book to read to young French learners (beginners)? This one is mine!
I was looking for a book to support the teaching of ‘Je m’appelle’ to KS1 and, having read this blog post, thought that this would be perfect for the job. I ordered it through Amazon and it arrived yesterday. Sadly I cannot read it to my young learners as it perpetuates the sentiment that it is okay to laugh at others. The main character in the book is ultimately ridiculed because of his name. As an early years practitioner I would definitely not recommend it.
I am sorry that you feel that way. I am happy to buy the book from you if you would like to contact me via email. As I have personally met the author and know her work, I can guarantee that this was never intended and is actually the opposite of what she tries to achieve. Ultimately ” Boucle d’Or” wins! It can generate a discussion about names. Obviously you can’t use it if you are not comfortable with it. I will express your concerns to Claire when I meet her again next month. Thanks you for being so honest.