Bonjour! Have you ever considered the magical potential of using picture books and songs to teach French to children? Stories and songs are so much more than entertainment: They’re a gateway to understanding language and culture. Here are 15+ French children’s picture books from our imprint La montagne secrète.
La mémé et la mouche
Get to know a quirky old lady who swallows a heap of animals—from a dog, cat, bird and spider to that infamous little fly. The children’s classic, “I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” sets the table for several timeless folk tunes, written over 50 years ago. Tongue-in-cheek and smart at heart, this buffet of singalong alphabet, counting and rhyming songs is a jaw-droppingly silly and devourable way to learn French.
One of the best places to start learning a language is with the alphabet. This cute watercolour picture book features 24 simply worded songs that invite children to go on a wild musical odyssey through the letters A to Z. Every letter of the alphabet has its own song on the accompanying album, reinforcing pronunciation, recall, and of course: fun!
A collection of six popular songs that have stood the test of time, brought to life through the vocal talent of Carmen Campagne and cheerful illustrations by Montreal-based Marie-Ève Tremblay. A joyful album to awaken children's musical curiosity.
Now available in a new format with an accompanying digital album, Un dimanche à Kyoto is a curious tale of a banjo-playing Cajun musician’s life in Kyoto, Japan. Old Man Joe, as he is affectionately called, and his Japanese wife often spend lovely Sunday afternoons drinking tea and collaborating musically with friends from distant lands.
Le chat musicien is an exceptional selection of songs written for children over 60 years ago by Joseph Beaulieu, a folk composer from North Bay, Ontario. Funny and tender, the musical pieces have not aged a day. In the book, each illustration is a merry menagerie of animals and colours. Now available in the digital audio format.
For his birthday, a little boy receives a skunk as a present. As a formidable duo, they organize a pyjama party to which all the animals of the forest are invited! From rock & roll to funk, hip-hop and disco, the adventures of these colourful characters are recounted by Bïa and her band of musicians. Singalong to the videos on YouTube.
This wonderfully environmental tale by legendary Quebecois songwriter Gilles Vigneault follows the adventures of Gaya, an inquisitive little girl who tries to find out why the well near her grandfather's house has run dry. To find the answer, Gaya explores the surrounding forest, questioning a hundred-year-old oak, an outraged squirrel, a dignified Great Horned Owl and a busy beaver.
A traditional songbook featuring warm voices from the Canadian Maritimes, Grand tintamarre! is a testament to a lively, poetic heritage, drawing on the roots of French chanson. Winner of Best Children’s Album at the Canadian Folk Music Awards (Prix De Musique Folk Canadienne).
The perfect collection for a deep dive into the rich past of Quebec’s “chansonniers” and musical traditions. Tam ti delam is an insightful journey into the wonderful world of seven great Quebec singer-songwriters with 10 rhyming, easy-to-perform songs that invite children to celebrate nature in all its splendour.
Based on a tale by Manitoba’s Gabrielle Roy, Le vieillard et l’enfant tells the story of Christine who lives in a small town, where time passes as slowly as possible in the heat of summer. One morning, under the leaves of a small maple tree, she meets an old man, Monsieur Saint-Hilaire, who invites her to spend the day on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. A universal, poetic story about childhood, friendship and the great outdoors.
Eight-year-old Abel lives with his dad in a big city that looks like a snail. In his neighborhood, his favourite landmarks are the grocery store and little canteen. The family that surrounds Abel makes for a happy, gentle childhood. But Abel would like his father to rediscover his childlike spirit, so that work, responsibilities and daily chores don't become the pitfalls that would sink him into dullness.
Available in a new digital audio format, this classic tale, based on a song by Quebecois baritone and composer Lionel Daunais, tells the story of Chiffon, a little wool dog with a cotton tail. One day, his parents lock him in the bathroom closet before quietly heading off to a human exhibit. But the closet is inhabited by many hungry moths… Luckily, his mom returns in time to bring him back to life! The zany story is followed by 12 imaginative songs packed with animals and funny characters.
Follow a little duck with a big dream on his lonesome journey to New York City in hopes of bringing his ducky dance to the Broadway stage. This never-give-up-on-your-dreams narrative offers a French vocabulary for courage, persistence and determination. The album includes 12 happy-go-lucky songs such as “Quack, Quack, Quack” and “I Love Tomatoes.”
One hot summer evening, when the power goes out in their apartment, Xiaomi convinces her parents to play a concert. As her father plays the erhu and her mother the accordion, their neighbours join them. In this community-centered story, learn about the power music has to bring people together.
On a cold winter night, a young girl dreams of visiting her faraway grandfather in Kunming, a magical place in China known as the city of eternal spring. As gusts of snow blow outside her window, the gentle sound of her mother plucking the pipa in the family room wraps around her like a warm blanket. The intricately illustrated story is accompanied by 11 stirring instrumental performances by world-renowned pipa master Liu Fang.
Travel back in time with the “Petites histoires de grands compositeurs” collection, and meet composers Mozart, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Haydn, Schubert and Paganini as you follow the adventures of Minim, an adorable little mouse who loves cheese and music.
Available in French and English, the We’re a Possum Family Band series follows Mama and Papa Poss on their travels that bring them across North America to the birthplaces of Cajun, jazz, country, rock’n’roll, blues, and traditional Quebecois music. At the end of each story, explanatory notes delve into the key figures, instruments and customs behind each genre.
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay informed about our new releases and events and for a chance to win our subscriber giveaway. To order books for your library or bookstore, please contact Hornblower Books/University of Toronto Press (Canada, United States) and MMS/BookSource (United Kingdom). For additional information, email info@thesecretmountain.com.
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15+ Children’s Picture Books in French for Language Learners
Bonjour! Have you ever considered the magical potential of using picture books and songs to teach French to children? Stories and songs are so much more than entertainment: They’re a gateway to understanding language and culture. Here are 15+ French children’s picture books from our imprint La montagne secrète.
La mémé et la mouche
Get to know a quirky old lady who swallows a heap of animals—from a dog, cat, bird and spider to that infamous little fly. The children’s classic, “I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly,” sets the table for several timeless folk tunes, written over 50 years ago. Tongue-in-cheek and smart at heart, this buffet of singalong alphabet, counting and rhyming songs is a jaw-droppingly silly and devourable way to learn French.
Les Libraires | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Wapiti !
One of the best places to start learning a language is with the alphabet. This cute watercolour picture book features 24 simply worded songs that invite children to go on a wild musical odyssey through the letters A to Z. Every letter of the alphabet has its own song on the accompanying album, reinforcing pronunciation, recall, and of course: fun!
Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Faites de la musique
A collection of six popular songs that have stood the test of time, brought to life through the vocal talent of Carmen Campagne and cheerful illustrations by Montreal-based Marie-Ève Tremblay. A joyful album to awaken children's musical curiosity.
Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Un dimanche à Kyoto
Now available in a new format with an accompanying digital album, Un dimanche à Kyoto is a curious tale of a banjo-playing Cajun musician’s life in Kyoto, Japan. Old Man Joe, as he is affectionately called, and his Japanese wife often spend lovely Sunday afternoons drinking tea and collaborating musically with friends from distant lands.
Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Le chat musicien
Le chat musicien is an exceptional selection of songs written for children over 60 years ago by Joseph Beaulieu, a folk composer from North Bay, Ontario. Funny and tender, the musical pieces have not aged a day. In the book, each illustration is a merry menagerie of animals and colours. Now available in the digital audio format.
Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Pyjama Party
For his birthday, a little boy receives a skunk as a present. As a formidable duo, they organize a pyjama party to which all the animals of the forest are invited! From rock & roll to funk, hip-hop and disco, the adventures of these colourful characters are recounted by Bïa and her band of musicians. Singalong to the videos on YouTube.
Les Libraires | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Gaya et le petit désert
This wonderfully environmental tale by legendary Quebecois songwriter Gilles Vigneault follows the adventures of Gaya, an inquisitive little girl who tries to find out why the well near her grandfather's house has run dry. To find the answer, Gaya explores the surrounding forest, questioning a hundred-year-old oak, an outraged squirrel, a dignified Great Horned Owl and a busy beaver.
Bookshop | Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Grand tintamarre
A traditional songbook featuring warm voices from the Canadian Maritimes, Grand tintamarre! is a testament to a lively, poetic heritage, drawing on the roots of French chanson. Winner of Best Children’s Album at the Canadian Folk Music Awards (Prix De Musique Folk Canadienne).
Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Tam ti delam
The perfect collection for a deep dive into the rich past of Quebec’s “chansonniers” and musical traditions. Tam ti delam is an insightful journey into the wonderful world of seven great Quebec singer-songwriters with 10 rhyming, easy-to-perform songs that invite children to celebrate nature in all its splendour.
Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Le vieillard et l’enfant
Based on a tale by Manitoba’s Gabrielle Roy, Le vieillard et l’enfant tells the story of Christine who lives in a small town, where time passes as slowly as possible in the heat of summer. One morning, under the leaves of a small maple tree, she meets an old man, Monsieur Saint-Hilaire, who invites her to spend the day on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. A universal, poetic story about childhood, friendship and the great outdoors.
Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Charivari – Où es-tu, papa ?
Eight-year-old Abel lives with his dad in a big city that looks like a snail. In his neighborhood, his favourite landmarks are the grocery store and little canteen. The family that surrounds Abel makes for a happy, gentle childhood. But Abel would like his father to rediscover his childlike spirit, so that work, responsibilities and daily chores don't become the pitfalls that would sink him into dullness.
Bookshop | Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Le petit chien de laine
Available in a new digital audio format, this classic tale, based on a song by Quebecois baritone and composer Lionel Daunais, tells the story of Chiffon, a little wool dog with a cotton tail. One day, his parents lock him in the bathroom closet before quietly heading off to a human exhibit. But the closet is inhabited by many hungry moths… Luckily, his mom returns in time to bring him back to life! The zany story is followed by 12 imaginative songs packed with animals and funny characters.
Bookshop | Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Un canard à New York
Follow a little duck with a big dream on his lonesome journey to New York City in hopes of bringing his ducky dance to the Broadway stage. This never-give-up-on-your-dreams narrative offers a French vocabulary for courage, persistence and determination. The album includes 12 happy-go-lucky songs such as “Quack, Quack, Quack” and “I Love Tomatoes.”
Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Un concert d’été au clair de lune
One hot summer evening, when the power goes out in their apartment, Xiaomi convinces her parents to play a concert. As her father plays the erhu and her mother the accordion, their neighbours join them. In this community-centered story, learn about the power music has to bring people together.
Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Amazon
Les quatre saisons du pipa
On a cold winter night, a young girl dreams of visiting her faraway grandfather in Kunming, a magical place in China known as the city of eternal spring. As gusts of snow blow outside her window, the gentle sound of her mother plucking the pipa in the family room wraps around her like a warm blanket. The intricately illustrated story is accompanied by 11 stirring instrumental performances by world-renowned pipa master Liu Fang.
Bookshop | Les Libraires | Barnes & Noble | Indigo | Renaud-Bray | Amazon
Petites histoires de grands compositeurs
Travel back in time with the “Petites histoires de grands compositeurs” collection, and meet composers Mozart, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Haydn, Schubert and Paganini as you follow the adventures of Minim, an adorable little mouse who loves cheese and music.
See more
Nous sommes les opossums musiciens
Available in French and English, the We’re a Possum Family Band series follows Mama and Papa Poss on their travels that bring them across North America to the birthplaces of Cajun, jazz, country, rock’n’roll, blues, and traditional Quebecois music. At the end of each story, explanatory notes delve into the key figures, instruments and customs behind each genre.
See Book 1 and Book 2
Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to stay informed about our new releases and events and for a chance to win our subscriber giveaway. To order books for your library or bookstore, please contact Hornblower Books/University of Toronto Press (Canada, United States) and MMS/BookSource (United Kingdom). For additional information, email info@thesecretmountain.com.