If you are looking for engaging and meaningful French picture books for la rentrée scolaire, I have an awesome selection for you today.

This blog post is the fourth in a series in which I share my favourite French picture books. The first featured French picture books with Muslim and/or Arab characters. I have also written a similar blog post with French picture book recommendations with Black characters. Lastly, I have a blog post with a wonderful selection of French picture books with Asian characters.

Where should you purchase these French picture books from?

I encourage you to purchase from your local independent bookstores. One of my favourite bookstores is located a block away from my school.

I will be linking all of these books through Les Libraires which is an independent bookstore in Québec.

Comme tu es – Margaret O’Hair & Sofia Cardoso

This first French picture book for la rentrée scolaire is inspired by Sofia Sanchez who has Down Syndrome.

This story is about being different and how diversity is beautiful. This French picture book is about accepting and embracing differences.

Themes: acceptance, diversity, kindness

French level: intermediate

About the book: A French translation of an English original

Moi aussi, je peux – Karen Autio & Laura Watson

The next French picture book for la rentrée scolaire is a short and heartwarming story of Leanne who can do all of the things her peers can do, only in her wheelchair.

The sentence structures are very simple and repetitive.

This French picture book is perfect for la rentrée scolaire, because it’s important for kids to see that one action can be done in many different ways, depending on our abilities.

Themes: acceptance, different abilities, friendships

French level: high novice

About the book: A French translation of an English original

Bienvenue – un livre sur l’inclusion – Alexandra Penfold & Suzanne Kaufman

Bienvenue – un livre sur l’inclusion is about everyone being welcome and safe at school. The book affirms that no matter your background, everyone has a place at school.

The sentence “tout le monde est bienvenue” repeats very frequently.

At the very end, you see all different types of families coming in to the school for Open House. Beautiful!

I could not find a more perfect French picture book for la rentrée scolaire!

Themes: acceptance, diversity, safety, belonging

French level: high novice

About the book: A French translation of an English original

Comment être gentil – Rana DiOrio & Stéphane Jorisch

Comment être gentil begins with the question “Être gentil, c’est quoi?”. The author talks about what being nice looks like in the classroom and at school.

One of my favourite lines in the book is “Être gentil, c’est avoir le courage de traiter les autres comme tu souhaites être traité”.

Themes: kindness, making good choices

French level: high novice

About the book: A French translation of an English original

Tu y arriveras – Angela DiTerlizzi & Lorena Avarez

La rentrée scolaire can be exciting for some of our students and terrifying for others. Despite our best efforts, school and learning can be very challenging for some of our learners.

Tu y arriveras is an encouraging book about not giving back. In the story we are taught the word “perseverance” and what it means.

Themes: persevering, hope

French level: high intermediate (mostly present tense, a little futur simple and some imparfait)

About the book: A French translation of an English original

I hope you find these 5 beautiful French picture books for la rentrée scolaire helpful!

The post 5 French Picture Books for la Rentrée Scolaire appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.

Are you a Core French and/or French Immersion teacher looking for an engaging Core French Read Aloud? In this blog post, I am sharing all of the reasons why I love to read Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie in my Core French classroom!

If you are looking for more French picture books with Muslim representation, please read this entire blog post with some of my favourite books.

What is Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie about?

Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie is written by Danny Ramadan. It is the story of Salma who has recently moved to Vancouver from Syria. In the story, it is implied that Salma and her mother are refugees.

Salma and her mom live in a shelter for refugees in Vancouver awaiting the arrival of Salma’s baba.

Salma notices that her mother no longer laughs. She decides that she is going to make one of her favourite Syrian dishes Foul shami in order to make her mom smile.

Salma embarks on a grand adventure to make her favourite Syrian dish. However, it’s not easy. She stumbles upon many obstacles that almost prevent her from making her dish.

The generosity and kindness of every individual at the shelter eventually help her finish her dish just in time for dinner.

Who is Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie for?

There is no outright mention of war and violence. In my opinion, this is a great book for grades 4+.

The level of French is high intermediate. It is all in the present tense, however, there is very little repetition of vocabulary so that may be tough for novice learners.

I read this Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie to my Grade 10 students. This is a very squirrely group that struggles to sit for five minutes.

The entire time I read to them, not a single student moved or spoke. They were so engaged!

Who is this French picture book NOT for?

French teachers – please ensure that you know the background of each and every student in your class before you read it. I do not recommend reading this to students who escaped war recently. It may be really very triggering.

Why should we read Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie in our classrooms and schools?

Canada is home to not only Syrian refugees but refugees from all over the world. Canadian children need to know and understand how and why refugees arrive in Canada, the trauma and violence they experience, and how difficult the transition in their new home country can be.

Ultimately, we want our students to be empathetic towards all of their peers as children and then as adults.

Extension activities to do with this French picture book

Summarize the story using passé composé and imparfait

I personally had my Grade 10 students summarize the story in the past tense.

• Pourquoi Salma et sa mère ont-elles déménagé à Vancouver ?
• Qu’a remarqué Salma à propos de sa mère au début du roman? Quelle était la solution de Salma à ce problème ?
• Comment les sentiments de Salma à l’égard de Vancouver ont-ils évolué au cours de l’album ?

Research and map out the journey of a refugee

Students can research and learn about the journey that refugees must make when they decide that their home country is too unsafe. This includes the physical journey, but also understanding the laws and legalities of the different countries they must pass through.

Learn about the Syrian civil war

Another important extension activity is learning about the Syrian war, especially if you teach high school students. It doesn’t have to be a unit, even just reading an article can be impactful.

Watch Nul poisson où aller on Office national du film

Nul poisson où aller is a short film released in 2014. Warning – it is not suitable for all ages!

It also comes with a Guide pédagogique that you can download.

Nul poisson où aller, Nicola Lemay et Janice Nadeau, offert par l’Office national du film du Canada

Learning about the treatment of Arab refugees vs Ukrainian refugees

Here are some articles you could read with your classes :

• France: Un traitement différencié entre les « réfugiés » ?
• Réfugiés : d’Ukraine ou du Moyen-Orient, un double traitement médiatique et politique ?

Download this dossier pédagogique from Unicef

Unicef has created classroom resources en français that you can use in your classroom.

Where should you purchase this French picture book from?

I personally recommend purchasing your French picture books from your local independent bookstore. If you’re looking for an option, I recommend Les Libraires which is an independent bookstore based out of Quebec.

Download this free read-aloud activity to use with Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie

The post Core French Read Aloud : Salma et les saveurs de la Syrie appeared first on FLE Avec MmeD.