French Immersion Annotated Bibliography of Recommended Canadian Books By Irene Aubrey Volume 19 Number 1 1991 January Irene Aubrey, chief of the Children 's Literature Service at the National Library of Canada, has selected the best French-language materials published in Canada for children and young people. The following Canadian bibliography was presented at a workshop entitled "Good Books for French Immersion" sponsored by the Canadian School Library Association at the Canadian Library Association annual conference in Ottawa in June 1990. (The bibliography therefore does not include books released during the fall of 1990.) The books were chosen from the separate collection of books for young people held by the National Library of Canada. The selection is limited to books written by Canadians and published in Canada (as opposed to, for instance, books published originally in France and co-edited in Canada). Translations are included. The annotated bibliography, which is divided into four categories (Picture Books, Beginning Readers (Grades 1 to 3), Middle Readers (Grades 4 to 7) and Older Readers (Grades 8 and up)), contains a brief description of the book and suitability (indicated by the appropriate grade levels). PICTURE BOOKS - Anfousse, Ginette. Je boude. illustré par Ginette Anfousse. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1986. 22 p. $5,95. ISBN 2890210618 This story is all about sulking. Jiji passes in review all her blunders and finally admits that she is sulking because she has been punished. The sentences are clear and simple and vary in length--several words are repeated. The pictures are extremely colourful and expressive. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. - Assathiany, Sylvie et Louise Pelletier. Grand-maman; Mon bébé-soeur; où est ma tétine?; Quand ça va mal. illustré par Philippe Beha. Sillery, Quebec: Ovale, 1983. 4 v. 14 p. chaque volume. Collection bébé-livre. $3,95 chaque volume. ISBN 2891860292; 2891860322; 2891860314; 2891860306. These four little books relate incidents in the day-to-day life of very young children, but they can also apply to children in early grades. Grand-maman is about the joy of having your grandmother visit you once a week, Mon bébé-soeur is about jealousy but also about the joy of having a baby sister, Quand ça va mal is about a day when nothing goes right, and 0u est ma tétine? is about giving up a soother. The sentences vary in length; words are fairly simple. Suitable for grades 1 to 2. Aubin, Michel. Bonne fête, Madeleine! illustré par Helene Desputeaux. Montréal: Editions du Boreal, 1987. 23 p. $6,95. ISBN 2890522016. This story is about a special birthday, one that is celebrated every four years on February 29. The story has a wide range of appeal. The text is lively and the illustrations are extremely colourful and crammed with detail. Suitable for readers in grades 2 and 3. - Gay, Marie-Louise. De zéro a minuit. illustré par Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1981. 22 p. $3,95. ISBN 2890210251. A counting book. Numbers 0 to 9 are represented by zany characters who do all sorts of marvellous feats. The text is in verse and it is a fun way to learn the numbers. Suitable for grades 2 and 3. - Gay, Marie-Louise. Drôle d'é (Blanc comme neige; Un léopard dans mon placard; Petit et grand; Rond comme ton visage). illustré par Marie-Louise Gay. Sillery, Quebec: Ovale, 1984. 4 v. 14 p. chaque volume. Collection bébé-livre. $1,00 chaque volume. ISBN 2891860470 (serie). The four books in the series introduce very young children to colours, shapes, contrasts, animals and words. The text in verse is simple and, for the most part, easy to read. One interesting aspect of the books is that the author has chosen her characters from among our various cultural communities. Suitable for grades 2 and 3. - Labrosse, Darcia. où est la pie? illustré par Darcia Labrosse. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1988. 23 p. Collection Coeur de pomme. $5,95. ISBN 2890513467. Vocabulary building and a game at the same time. The illustrations in this book in the series are among the best that Darcia Labrosse has done. The test is to find the words in the sentence that sound like pie. The text is fairly difficult. Suitable for grades 2 to 4. - Luppens, Michel. Mais que font les fees avec toutes ces dents? illustré par Philippe Beha. St. Hubert, Quebec: Editions du raton laveur, 1989. 22 p. $6,95. ISBN 2920660136. Beautiful blend of fantasy and fun. Limited text of a sentence or two accompanies a double-page illustration. Certainly children who have just lost a tooth will be interested in the story. Suitable for readers in grades 2 to 4. - Noel, Michel. Contes amerindiens. illustré par Joanne Ouellet. Montréal: Hurtubise HMH, 1981. 9 v. 20 p. chaque volume. $17,70(serie). ISBN 2890455025 (v. 1-3):1. Les Papinachois. 2. Les Papinachois et la creation du monde. 3. Les Papinachois et le grain de sable; ISBN 2890455033 (v. 4-6): 4. Les Papinachois et les chasseurs. 5. Les Papinachois et les agriculteurs. 6. Les Papinachois et les ancetres; ISBN 2890455041 (v. 7-9): 7. Les Papinachois et le panier d'ecorce. 8. Les Papinachois a la rescousse d'Eskeo. 9. Les Papinachois et la fête des bleuets. The books, in general, describe the habits and customs of the Algonquin Indians in a simple style with ample dialogue. Suitable for grades 2 to 4. - Oppenheim, Joanne. Ah, ces oiseaux! Traduit par Christiane Duchesne. illustré par Barbara Reid. Richmond Hill, Ont.: ScholasticTAB Publications, 1986. 32p. $4,95. ISBN0590716123. A picture-book on birds with outstanding artwork by Barbara Reid. The French adaptation by Christiane Duchesne differs greatly from the English text. As well, most of the birds have been identified. The action and repetition will have wide appeal. Suitable for grades 2 to 4. - Ovale. Automne; Ete; Hiver; Printemps. illustré par Sylvie Talbot. Sillery, Quebec: Ovale, 1982. 4 v. 12 p. chaque volume. $4,00(serie). ISBN2891860101; 2891860098; 289186611X; 289186008X. These four books on the seasons are part of a series called "bébé livre," which is meant to be read aloud to very young children. There is one book for each season. The text is short and rather poetic, but rather difficult. Suitable for grades 2 to 4. - Pare, Roger. L'alphabet (ensemble multi-supports). illustré par Roer Pare. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1985. $19,95. ISBN 2890210502. Comprend: 1 livre, 1 jeu, 2 casse-tete et 1 guide d'utilization. Kit consists of one book, one game, a couple of puzzles and a user's guide. Each letter is given in capitals and in small letters. A humorous sentence accompanies each picture and includes in bold face three words beginning with the letter cited. The print is large. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. - Pare, Roger. Les chiffres (ensemble multi-supports). illustré par Roger Pare. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1986. $19,95. ISBN289021057X. Comprend: casse-tete, 4 jeux, 1 livre et 1 guide d'utilization. Kit consists of a book, puzzles, games and a user's guide. The book is in small format; the brief text is in verse. Numbers appear at the bottom of the page and corresponding words, once in the text. Some numbers might represent a challenge, like the number six. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. - La Poulette grise. illustré par Louise Methe. Montréal: Lemeac, 1982. 16p. Collection litterature de jeunesse. $5,95. ISBN 2760998479. This reprint is based on a traditional rhyme that originates from an old French lullaby in Perigord. The text is simple and repetitive and has a wide range of appeal. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. - Poulin, Stephane. As-tu vu Josephine? illustré par Stephane Poulin. Montréal: LivresToundra,1986. 24p. $12,95. ISBN 0887761887. The simply written sentences are short but have plenty of dialogue and include some familiar expressions like ma maison a moi. Suitable for grades 1 to 5. - Pratt, Pierre. Peut-il, peut-elle? Illustrd par Pierre Pratt. Montréal: Ovale, 1988. 18p. $7,95. ISBN 2891860632. This vocabulary building book has a very large range of appeal. It is like a game--the reader has to match the top and the bottom of the page. The words are hard, but what a fun way to learn them! I even found myself sounding them out when I was matching them. Figures are exaggerated. This book of careers/professions is non-sexist. Suitable for grades 1 to 7. - Stinson, Kathy. Le rouge Next bien mieux. Adapte par Paule Daveluy. illustré par Robin Baird Lewis. Toronto: Annick Press, 1986. 26 p. $4,95. ISBN 0920303714. The English version Red is Best is well on its way to becoming a classic. Paule Daveluy did the French adaptation in this Canadian edition (there is also an edition published in France). It is a repetitive story--a little girl explains why she likes red better than any other colour. Every word of the text has been chosen with care. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. - Tibo, Gilles. Simon et we vent d'automne. illustré par Gilles Tibo. Montréal: LivresToundra,1989. 24p. $9.95. ISBN 0887762352. - Tibo, Gilles. Simon et les flocons de Beige. illustré par Gilles Tibo. Montréal: LivresToundra,1988. 24p. $9,95. ISBN 0887762190. To paint hes evocative pictures (a Fall setting in Simon et Me vent d'automne and a Winter setting in Simon et les flocons de Beige), Tibo uses the airbrushing technique, whereby a fine spray of paint is applied by means of an atomizer and compressed air. The texts are simple and some words are repeated several times, for instance, "vent" in Simon et le vent d'automne and "compter" in Simon et les flocons de Beige. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. Beginning Readers (GRADES 1 -3) - Anfousse, Ginette. Je boude. illustré par Ginette Anfousse. Montréal: La courte échelle,1986. 22p. $5,95. ISBN 2890210618. (Also on Picture Books list) This story is all about sulking. Jiji passes in review all her blunders and finally admits that she is sulking because she has been punished. The sentences are clear and simple and vary in length--several words are repeated. The pictures are extremely colourful and expressive. Suitable for grades 1 to3. - Aubin,Michel. Bonne fête,Madeleine! illustré par Helene Desputeaux. Montréal: Editions du Boreal, 1987. 23 p. $6,95. ISBN 2890522016. (Alsoon Picture Books list) This story is about a special birthday, one that is celebrated every four years on February 29. The story has a wide range of appeal. The text is lively and the illustrations are extremely colourful and crammed with detail. Suitable for readers in grades 2 and 3. - Chase, Edith Newlin. Quel beau petit! Traduit par Christiane Duchesne. illustré par Barbara Reid. Richmond Hill, Ont.: ScholasticTAB Publications, 1986. 31 p. $4,00. ISBN0590716697. This is the story of Madame Foin, the cow, and Museau, the calf, whom she cares for with tenderness and competence. Throughout the story, one senses the peaceful life on a farm. The text is very simple and repetitive, and the print is large. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. - Gagnon, Cecile. Doux avec des etoiles. illustré par Helene Desputeaux. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1988. 24p. Collection Coeur de pomme. $5,95. ISBN 2890513475. This is a charming story of a young girl who finds an old rag at the bottom of a box and discovers that it once was part of a pair of pyjamas that belonged to her. The text is simple; the sentences are short with some repetition. Suitable for grades 2 and 3. - Gagnon, Cecile. Plumeneige. illustré par Cecile Gagnon. Montréal: Heritage, 1988. 126 p. Collection pour lire avec toi, edition de luxe. $6,95. ISBN 2762544807. This edition of Plumeneige is a collection of short stories. The lead story "Plumeneige" is the same, with minor changes, as the one in the following book. The characters, human and animal, inhabit mythical places called Plumetis and Plumebois. The text is simple, the sentences are short and there is plenty of dialogue. The series "Pour lire avec toi" was first published in paperback. This "de luxe" series is in hardcover. Some older titles have been reprinted in this new series. Suitable for grades 2 and 3 and even 4. - Gagnon,Cecile. Plumeneige. Illustrd par Suzanne Duranceau. SaintLambert, Quebec: Heritage, 1980. 16 p. $4,00. ISBN 0777325349. This is the charming story of Plumeneige, a magnificent snowman that Stephane builds only to have him walk away when he is completed. The text is simple, fairly short and lively, and it has some repetition. Suitable for grades 2 and 3 and even 4. - Gauthier, Bertrand. Zunik dans le championnat. illustré par Daniel Sylvestre. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1986. 24 p. $5,95. ISBN 2890210588. Zunik dans le championnat is probably one of the best titles in the series featuring Zunik. In this story Zunik is a goalie and he plays in the deciding game of the championship. Zunik is an only child who lives alone with his father. He and his father are supportive of one another. The text is easy and is printed in large letters. Several pages have large speech balloons in the comic strip style. Suitable for grades 2 and 3. - Gay, Marie-Louise. Voyage au clair de lune. illustré par Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Quebec: Heritage, 1986. 32p. $9,95. ISBN2762525713. In this tale, we find ourselves in fantasy land--in dreamland--and we learn, through this trip to the moon with Toby and Rose, that night time and dreams are not necessarily frightening. The story is told in simple verse, using limited vocabulary, and can be used to introduce children to the pleasures of listening to poetry. Suitable for grades 1 and 2. - Hebert, Marie-Francine. Un monstre dans les céréales. illustré par Philippe Germain. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1988. 60 p. Collection Premier Roman. $6,95. ISBN 2890210847. Un monstre dans les céréales is one of the better novels in the series "Premier Roman." The author tells the story of a young girl who, through boredom, enters into a fantasy world in which the I monster on her cereal box materializes. Everything is fine until she realizes that she can't get rid of the monster. She calls upon her father to help her out of her predicament. The text is easy to read and the print is large. Suitable for grade 3 and even grades 4 and 5. - Munsch, Robert. La princesse a la robe de Napier. Traduit par Francoise Marois. illustré par Michael Martchenko. Richmond Hill, Ont.: Scholastic-TAB Publications, 1981. 29 p. $1,35. ISBN 059071127X. This is the French version of an old favourite, The Paper Bag Princess. The text is fairly simple to read but it is written in the past tense. We all know the funny and engaging story of Elisabeth who saves Prince Roland from being devoured by a dragon! Suitable for grades 3 to 7. - Plante, Raymond. Clins d'oeil et pieds de nez. illustré par Johanne Pepin. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1982. 24 p. $4,95. ISBN 2890210359. Clins d'oeil et pieds de nez is a book of ten poems written by Raymond Plante. The poems deal with a wide variety of subjects such as skates, bananas and clowns. The verse is relatively simple. Suitable for grades 3 to 6. - Renaud, Bernadette. Emilie, la baignoire a pattes. D'apres une idee originale de Gertrude Scalabrini. illustré par France Bedard. Montréal: Heritage, 1988. 126 p. Collection Pour lire avec tog edition de luxe. $6,95. ISBN 276254470X. Also in this new series is a reprint of a very popular title, Emile, la baignoire a pattes by Bernadette Renaud. Emilie is an old cast iron bathtub who is thrown out by her owners. She goes in search of a new home and finds one when she becomes a bathtub garden. The theme of recycling is well treated. The text is easy to read, the sentences are short, and there is much dialogue. Suitable for grades 2 and 3 and even grades 4 and 5. - Stinson, Kathy. Le rouge c'est bien mieux. Adapte par Paule Daveluy. illustré par Robin Baird Lewis. Toronto: Annick Press, 1986. 26 p. $4,95. ISBN 0920303714. (Also on Picture Books list) The English version Red is Best is well on its way to becoming a classic. Paule Daveluy did the French adaptation in this Canadian edition (there is also an edition published in France). It is a repetitive story--a little girl explains why she likes red better than any other colour. Every word of the text has been chosen with care. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. - Tibo, Gilles. Simon et we vent d'automne. illustré par Gilles Tibo. Montréal: LivresToundra,1989. 24p. $9.95. ISBN 0887762352. (Also on Picture Book list) - Tibo, Gilles. Simon et les plocons de neige. illustré par Gilles Tibo. Montréal: LivresToundra,1988. 24p. $9,95. ISBN 0887762190. To paint his evocative pictures (a Fall setting in Simon et le vent d'automne and a Winter setting in Simon et les flocons de neige), Tibo uses the airbrushing technique, whereby a fine spray of paint is applied by means of an atomizer and compressed air. The texts are simple and some words are repeated several times, for instance, "vent" in Simon et le vent d'automne and "compter" in Simon et les flocons de neige. Suitable for grades 1 to 3. Middle Readers (GRADES 4 -7) - Anfousse, Ginette. Rosalie s'en va-t-en guerre. illustré par Marisol Sarrazin. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1989. 94 p. Collection Roman jeunesse. $6,95. ISBN 2890210936. This book won the 1990 Mr. Christie's Book Award in the category for best French text. The author develops the theme of racism and portrays the maturing process of Rosalie as she learns to control her impulsiveness and show more respect for the feelings of others. The fairly simple text has some familiar expressions (sapristi de mochete). The style is lively and there is plenty of dialogue. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grade 8. - Bilson, Geoffrey. Adieu, Sarah! Traduit par Francoise Marois. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 1983. 64 p. Collection Kids Canada. $3,95. ISBN0919964486. This historical fiction is about the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 and the possible break-up of a friendship as families take opposing sides and one of the friends moves away. It is a moving story with a mature theme. The text is relatively easy with a lot of dialogue. Suitable for grades 5 and 6. - Carrier, Roch. Le chandail de hockey. illustré par Sheldon Cohen. Montréal: Livres Toundra,1985. 24p. $5,95. ISBN 0887761763. This popular book will probably become a classic. It is the story of a young boy who, through an error in ordering, has to wear the Toronto Maple Leafs sweater in lieu of his favourite Montréal Canadiens sweater. The first-person narrative is direct and easy but the past tenses of the verbs may present some problems. The superb paintings are effective and appealing. The book has wide appeal. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 to 10. - Clark, Joan. La main de Robin Squires: le mystere de Iile aux Chenes. Traduit par Claude Aubry. illustré par William Taylor et Mary Cserepy. Montréal: P. Tisseyre,1984. 179p. Collectiondes deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890511588. The discovery of a mysterious hand in a well on Oak Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia, inspired this excellent adventure tale set in the eighteenth century. It is also the story of a friendship between a white boy and a Micmac boy. This gripping story is told in the first person and is fairly easy to read. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8. - Constantineau, Celine. Olivier le forgeron. illustré par Dominique Laquerre. Montréal: Quebec/Amerique, 1985. 21 p. CollectionJeunesse. $7,95. ISBN 2890372383. This is the story of Olivier, a blacksmith who makes a weathercock for the steeple of the village church. Before he dies, he knows that the weathercock is imbued with a little bit of his own life. The vocuabulary is simple, very similar to spoken language, and the sentences are short. Suitable for grades 5 and 6. - Cote, Denis. Le voyage dans le temps. illustré par Stephane Poulin. Montréal: La courte échelle,1989. 92p. Collection Roman Jeunesse. $6,95. ISBN 2890210952. This fantasy story has an intriguing plot. Two children are transported back in time to the year 1889. They find themselves in the city of Quebec, where they encounter misery and superstition. The conditions lead the children to ponder the existing conditions one hundred years later. The story is well written and contains descriptive passages. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 and 9. - Gagnon, Cecile. Alfred dans le metro. illustré par Cecile Gagnon. Montréal: Heritage, 1988. 122 p. Collection Pour lire avec toi edition de luxe. $6,95. ISBN 2762544718. Alfred is a rabbit. He and three children have a series of adventures in the Montréal subway. The sentences are short, the vocabulary is easy, and the text has a lot of lively dialogue. Suitable for grades 4 to 6. - Gagnon, Cecile. L'ascenseur d'Adrien. illustré par Philippe Germain. SaintLambert, Quebec: Heritage, 1986. 54 p. Collection libellule. $4,95. ISBN 2762540100. L'ascenseur d'Adrien is a story with a recycling theme. Two children, with the help of adults, recycle an elevator discarded when an old hotel was renovated. Again, this is a first-person narrative with descriptive passages and limited dialogue. Suitable for grades 5 and 6. - Gagnon, Cecile. Plumeneige. illustré par Cecile Gagnon. Montréal: Heritage, 1988. 126 p. Collection pour lire avec toi, edition de luxe. $6,95. ISBN 2762544807. (Also on Beginning Readers list) This edition of Plumeneige is a collection of short stories. The lead story "Plumeneige" is the same with minor changes as the one that appears in the picture-book edition (see above under Picture Books). The characters, human and animal, inhabit mythical places called Plumetis and Plumebois. The text is simple, the sentences are short and there is plenty of dialogue. The series "Pour lire avec toi" was first published in paperback. This "de luxe" series is in hardcover. Some older titles have been reprinted in this new series. Suitable for grades 2 and 3 and even 4. - Gilliland, Jillian Hulme et Mary Alice Downie. Artisan de la nature. Traduit par Martine Connat. Richmond Hill, C)nt.: Scholastic-TAB Publications, 1984. 65p. $2,50. ISBN 0590711927-s. This is a crafts book, using, for the most part, nature objects such as dandelions, which may or may not be easy to find. The layout is good, the instructions are quite simple, and the illustrations complement the text. Suitable for grades 5 to 7 and even grade 8. No index. - Gryski, Camilla. Jeux de ficelle. Traduit par Marie-Andree Clermont. illustré par Tom Sankey. Saint-Lambert, Quebec: Heritage, 1988. 2 v. 47 p. chaque volume. $6,90 chaque volume. ISBN 2762552060 (v. 1); 2762552079 (v. 2). Everyone knows Camilla Gryski and her popular book on string games Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes, which is available in French in two volumes. Some of the information from volume one is repeated in volume two (introductory notes and the last twelve pages), but there are games in volume two not included in volume one. The instructions are clear and the illustrations are easy to follow. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grades 8 to 12. No index. - Hebert, Marie-Francine. Un monstre dans les cireales. illustré par Philippe Germain. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1988. 60 p. Collection Premier Roman. $6,95. ISBN 2890210847. (Also on Beginning Readers list) Un monstre dans les céréales is one of the better novels in the series "Premier Roman." The author tells the story of a young girl who, through boredom, enters into a fantasy world in which the monster on her cereal box materializes. Everything is fine until she realizes that she can't get rid of the monster. She calls upon her father to help her out of her predicament. The text is easy to read and the print is large. Suitable for grade 3 and even grades 4 and 5. - Houston, James. Les casse-cou de la riviere Koksoak. Traduit par Claude Aubry. Montréal: Fides, 1984. 167 p. Collection des mille iles. $6,95. ISBN 2762112346. The story is set in the far north, a region that James Houston knows very well. It is a story of survival and a story of friendship between a white boy and a Nascapi boy. The language is simple, direct and picturesque. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 to 10. - Julien, Susanne. Les memoires d'une sorciere. illustré par Helene Boudreau et Francois Lachapelle. Montréal: Heritage, 1988. 123 p. Collection Pour lire avec toi edition de luxe. $6,95. ISBN 2762544661. This first-person narrative is a charming fantasy about a young girl who is a witch, but not a very good witch--she forgets the magic potions, but she solves the problem with the help of her parrot. It has more and longer descriptive passages and less dialogue than other books in the same series. Suitable for grades 6 and 7. - Legault, Mimi. Le robot concierge. illustré par Stephane Poulin. Montréal: Heritage, 1984. 125 p. Collection Pour lire avec toi. $4,95. ISBN 2762544459. Children who like stories about robots will like this one. A school caretaker is tired of doing the same work day after day and he is replaced by a robot. A happy solution, however, is found to accommodate the robot and the caretaker. The vocabulary is simple, the chapters are short, and the text is uncluttered. Suitable for grades 5 to 6. - Little, Jean. Maman va t'acheter un moqueur. Traduit par Paule Daveluy. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1986. 260 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $10,95. ISBN 2890513092. This is a beautiful book about the acceptance of the death of a loved one and the effect of the loss on a very warm and closely knit family. The translation is excellent and many parts are written in dialogue form. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grades 8 and 9. - McConkey, Lois. La mer et le cedre: Ainsi vivaient les Indiens de la Cote du Nord-Ouest. Traduit par Danielle Thaler. illustré par Douglas Tait. Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre, 1983. 31 p. Collection Ainsi vivaient les IndiensduCanada. $6,95. ISBN 0888943733. A good introduction to the seven tribes of the Northwest Coast Indians. The information is given in a simple, clear style, the pages are well laid out, and the illustrations enhance the text. Suitable for grades 5 to 7 and even grade 8. - Martel, Suzanne. Surréal 3000. Version simplifiée par Daniele Geoffrion et ltric Martel. Montréal: Heritage, 1984. 151 p. Collection Galaxie. $4,95. ISBN 0777330296. This simplified version of Suzanne Martens original story published in the 1960s is a science-fiction story about an underground community in Montréal that survived a nuclear war. The style is lively and there is a good blend of dialogue and descriptive passages. Suitable for grades 6 and 7. - Montogmery, Lucy Maud. Anne . . . la maison aux pigeons verts. Traduit par Henri-Dominique Paratte. Charlottetown, I.-P.-E.: Ragweed Press, 1986. 278p. $12,95. ISBN0920304508. Anne of Green Gables is a perennial favourite. Montgomery's text is not easy to translate, but in this particular instance--the first French-Canadian translation since its first appearance in 1908--the language is rich. It is a book that should be in all public and school libraries. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grades 8 to 12. - Muller, Robin, adaptateur. La princesse Souillon. Traduit par Fransoise Marois. Richmond Hill, Ont.: Scholastic-TAB Publications, 1984. 36 p. $3,95. ISBN 0590714120. La princesse Souillon is a traditional tale in which Souillon rescues her sister Bellinda from an evil spell cast upon her by witches. It is also a story about the power of love. The language is simple and descriptive; the illustrations are finely detailed and brightly coloured. Suitable for grades 4 and 5. - Munsch, Robert. La princesse a la robe de papier. Traduit par Fransoise Marois. illustré par Michael Martchenko. Richmond Hill, Ont.: Scholastic-TAB Publications, 1981. 29 p. $1,35. ISBN 059071127X. (Also on Beginning Readers list) This is the French version of an old favourite,The Paper Bag Princess. The text is fairly simple to read but it is written in the past tense. We all know the funny and engaging story of Elisabeth who saves Prince Roland from being devoured by a dragon! Suitable for grades 3 to 7. - Plante Raymond. Clins d'oeil et pieds de neat. Iilustre par Johanne Pepin. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1982. 24 p. $4,95. ISBN 2890210359. (Also on Beginning Readers list) Clins d'oeil et pieds de nez is a book of ten poems written by Raymond Plante. The poems deal with a wide variety of subjects such as skates, bananas and clowns. The verse is relatively simple. Suitable for grades 3 to 6. - Professeur Scientific et Bernard Larocque. Encore des experiences. illustré par Jacques Goldstyn. Sillery, Quebec: QuebecScience,1985. 119p. Collection despetitsdebrouillards. $8,95. ISBN 2920073354 This excellent book covers sixty interesting experiments not included in the earlier books in this series. The text is nicely laid out and is easy to follow, and the illustrations enhance the text. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even 8 and 9. No index. - Renaud, Bernadette. Emilie, la baignoire a pattes. D'apres une idee originale de Gertrude Scalabrini. illustré par France Bedard. Montréal: Heritage, 1988. 126 p. Collection Pour lire avec toi edition de luxe. $6,95. ISBN 276254470X. (Also on Beginning Readers list) Also in this new series is a repririt of a very popular title, Emilie, la baignoire a pattes by Bernadette Renaud. Emilie is an old cast iron bathtub who is thrown out by her owners. She goes in search of a new home and finds one when she becomes a bathtub garden. The theme of recycling is well treated. The text is easy to read, the sentences are short, and there is much dialogue. Suitable for grades 2 and 3 and even grades 4 and 5. - Richards, Robert. L'animalerie des petits debrouillards . illustré par Jacques Goldstyn. Sillery, Quebec: Quebec Science,1986. 92p. Collection des petits debrouillards. $8,95. ISBN 2920073400. This is an excellent book on how to choose, purchase and care for a house pet (cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and birds). It also deals with the responsibilities of each owner toward his pet. The simple illustrations complement the text and are often quite humorous. The text is clearly laid out and easy to follow. Suitable for grades 5 to 7 and even grade 8. No index. - Sanschagrin, Joceline. La fille aux cheveux rouges. illustré par Pierre Pratt. Montréal: La courte échelle, 1989. 90 p. CollectionRomanJeunesse. $6,95. ISBN 2890210960. In this story--part fantasy, part reality--the main character Wondeur continues the search for her father. This time, her search takes her underground, where she discovers a community in which some citizens are concerned about the environment. Wondeur does not find her father--this might mean that another book is in the offing. The style is simple, the sentences are quite short, and there is much dialogue. Suitable for grades 5 to 7. - Schinkel, David et Yves Beauchesne. Aller retour. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1986. 143 p. Collection Conquetes. $10,95. ISBN 2890513211. Aller retour is the story of thirteenyear-old Martin who lives with an uncle, an alcoholic who beats him. Martin runs away to Montréal where, for a time at least, he must survive on his own. The story, which has a happy ending, is well told and the dialogue is lively. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 and 9. - Smucker, Barbara. Un monde hors du tempts. Traduit par Paule Daveluy. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1985. 224 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890512835. Because of an accident, Ian McDonald is forced to spend some time in a rural Amish community in Ontario. There he comes to respect Amish customs and finds friendship and affection. A well constructed novel with a brisk style. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 and 9. - Le Sport et toi. Traduit par Nicole Ferron. illustré par Pat Cupples. SaintLambert, Quebec: Heritage, 1989. 96 p. $9,95. ISBN 276552621. Le sport et toi describes the scientific side of sports (for instance, the question of balance) and includes some experiments. The layout and illustrations are similar to the layout and illustrations in the series "Collection des petits debrouillands." Includes a lot of easyto-follow information. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grades 8 to 12. Includes index. - Truss, Jan. Jasmine. Traduit par Marie-Andree Clermont. Montréal: P. Tisseyre,1986. 247p. Collectiondes deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890513084. Jasmine is the oldest of a family of seven who live in Alberta. When her brothers destroy her science homework and throw her notes in the outhouse, Jasmine is convinced she will fail her year and she runs away to the woods. Eventually, she is rescued and comes to terms with her situation. The translation, which is very successful, incorporates some familiar expressions and a little dialect, which might present a problem for some readers. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 to 10. - Turcotte, Diane. Le double dans la neige. Montréal: Paulines, 1987. 103 p. Collection Jeunesse-pop. $5,95. ISBN 2890391272. Le double dans la neige is a good mystery story, the kind of book you might offer to a reluctant reader. Two teenagers unravel a kidnapping and save a handicapped boy. The text is moderately difficult, but there is a good dose of dialogue mixed in with the descriptive passages. Suitable for grades 7 and even grades 8 to 10. - Vachon, Helene. Livres a fabriquer soimeme. En collaboration avec Arlette Lefrancois. illustré par Gilles Tibo. La Pocatiere, Quebec: Documentor, 1985. 93p. $8,95. ISBN 2891231066. The spiral binding might be a deterrent to its purchase, but this is a good book on how to make a book. The materials needed are inexpensive and readily available. The easy-to-understand instructions are short and to the point. The drawings are simple and illustrate very well the parts of the book to be made. Suitable for grades 5 to 7. No index. - Wilson, Eric. Terreur au bivouac. Traduit par Michelle Tisseyre. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1987. 163 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $10,95. ISBN2890513319. This easy-to-read story with a smattering of suspense and a lot of lively dialogue is set in a summer camp for disabled children. Suitable for grades 6 and 7. OLDER READERS (GRADES 8 -12) - L'Affaire Léandre et auks nouvelles policieres. Denis Cote et al. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1989,1987. 180 p. Collection Conquetes. $10,95. ISBN 2890513343. Five writers contributed to these well-written, suspenseful mystery stories, which include themes on theft, blackmail, fraud, espionage and harassment. Readers who want to be entertained will be tempted to try this book. The writing styles vary; some are more easy than others. Suitable for grades 10 to l2. - Clark, Joan. La main de Robin Squires: le mystere de l'ile aux Chenes. Traduit par Claude Aubry. illustré par William Taylor et Mary Cserepy. Montréal: P. Tisseyre,1984. 179p. Collectiondes deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890511588. (Also on Middle Readers list) The discovery of a mysterious hand in a well on Oak Island, off the coast of Nova Scotia, inspired this excellent adventure tale set in the eighteenth century. It is also the story of a friendship between a white boy and a Micmac boy. This gripping story is told in the first person and is fairly easy to read. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 to 10. - Clermont, Marie-Andree et Frances Morgan. Jour blanc. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1986. 183 p. Collection Conquetes. $10,95. ISBN2890513165. Four teenagers from different regions of Canada, all winners of a national competition on an exploration to the Arctic, join a group of scientists in Sinnitavik, where they discover a terrorist plot. The story begins slowly, but gains momentum and ends with a high-speed snowmobile chase. Some passages in this well-researched novel may be difficult. Suitable for grades 9 to 11. - Collura, Mary-Ellen Lang. Les vainqueurs. Traduit par Marie-Andree Clermont. Montréal: Fides, 1987. 213 p. Collection des mille iles. $7,95. ISBN 2762113628. This is the story of a contemporary fifteen-year-old Black foot boy. He survives terrible tragedies in his personal life and learns to readjust to life on a reserve with his grandfather. The narrative is natural and brisk, the sentences are fairly short, and the dialogue is lively. Suitable for grades 8 to l2. - Doyle, Brian. En montant a Low. Traduit par Claude Aubry en collaboration avec Danielle Aubry. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1986. 98 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890513033. Tommy, a teenager, is both the narrator and hero of this novel set in a small town in the Gatineau Hills during a summer vacation in the 1950s. The style is simple and direct and the book is not long--about ninety pages. Suitable for grades 8 to 12. - Gagnon, Cecile. Chateaux de sable. illustré par Cecile Gagnon. Montréal: P. Tisseyre,1988. 116p. Collection Conquetes. $10,95. ISBN 2890513424. Set in the Magdalen Islands, Chateaux de sable is a well-structured novel about the sea. Madeleine and Simon, who hold opposing views of the sea, discover more about each other in their first exchanges and experience the stirrings of a first romance. This fairly short novel, which may have limited appeal because of its subject matter, is well written but the vocabulary is sometimes difficult. There is enough action to sustain the reader's interest. Suitable for grades 11 and 12. - Gryski, Camilla. Jeux de ficelle. Traduit par Marie-Andree Vermont. illustré par Tom Sankey. Saint-Lambert, Quebec: Heritage, 1988. 2 v. 47 p. chaque volume. $6,90 chaque volume. ISBN 2762552060 (v. 1); 2762552079 (v. 2). (Also on Middle Readers list) Everyone knows Camilla Gryski and her popular book on string games Cat's Cradle, Owl's Eyes, which is available in French in two volumes. Some of the information from volume one is repeated in volume two (introductory notes and the last twelve pages), but there are games in volume two not included in volume one. The instructions are clear and the illustrations are easy to follow. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grades 8 to 12. No index. - Halvorson, Marilyn. En toute libate. Traduit par Marie-Andree Cermont. Montréal: Fides, 1987. 288 p. Collection des mines iles. $9,95. ISBN 2762113458. Told in the first person, this is the story of two teenagers--Lance, who learns to live with an authoritarian parent, and Rouquin, who learns to forgive a mother who deserted him. An absorbing and wellwritten novel with a lot of dialogue. Suitable for grades 10 to l2. - Hewitt, Marsha et Claire Mackay. Un ete inoubliable. Traduit par Francine Pominville. Montréal: Editions du remue-menage, 1983. 186 p. $9,95. ISBN 2890910466. In the summer of1946, the workers at the Montréal Cottons Mill went on strike. The events of that summer are seen through the eyes of thirteen-yearold Lucie, who exhanges books for bobbins. There is plenty of action, which is reflected in the lively dialogue. The text flows smoothly. Suitable for grades 8 and 9. - Houston, James. Les casse-cou de la riviere Koksoak. Traduit par Claude Aubry. Montréal: Fldes, 1984. 167 p. Collection des mille iles. $6,95. ISBN 2762112346. (Also on Middle Readers list) The story is set in the far north, a region that James Houston knows very well. It is a story of survival and a story of friendship between a white boy and a Nascapi boy. The language is simple, direct and picturesque. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 to 10. - Hughes, Monica. Mike, chasseur de tenebres. Traduit par Paule Daveluy. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1985. 208 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN2890512991. At the age of sixteen, Mike is dying of leukemia. His reaction to this reality forms the plot of this gripping story, which is also a story of survival in the wilderness. There is abundant dialogue and short descriptive passages. Suitable for grades 8 to 12. - Kurelek, William. Les bucherons. illustré par William Kurelek. Montréal: Livres Toundra,1983. 48p. $9,95. ISBN 2887761585. In this book, Kurelek recounts some of his memories from the time he spent working in lumber camps in 1946 and 1951. The style is simple and direct. the vocabulary, at times, is somewhat difficult. Suitable for grades 8 to 12. - Lienhardt, Jean-Michel. La memoire des hommes. Montréal: Paulines, 1988. 133 p. Collection jeunesse-pop, science-fiction. $6,95. ISBN2890391752. In this science-fiction story twelve-year-old Daniel survives a nuclear explosion. He meets other survivors, lives with them, and learns that, human nature being what it is, there will always be some forms of violence. It is not an easy text, but there is much suspense. Suitable for grades 10 to 12. - Little, Jean. Maman va ttacheter un moqueur. Traduit par Paule Daveluy. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1986. 260 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $10,95. ISBN 2890513092. (Alsoon Middle Readers list) This is a beautiful book about the acceptance of the death of a loved one and the effect of the loss on a very warm and closely knit family. The translation is excellent and many parts are written in dialogue form. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grades 8 and 9. - Mackay, Claire. Le programme Minerve. Traduit par Marie-Andree Clermont. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1987. 195 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $11,95. ISBN 2890513297. Anyone interested in computers will enjoy reading this story which revolves around Minerve who is wrongly accused of using a computer to falsify documents. The translation is good and reads easily. Suitable for grades 8 to 12. - Major, Kevin. Tiens bon. Traduit par Michelle Robinson. Montréal: P. Tisseyre,1984. 210p. Collectiondes deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890511081. The story is set in Newfoundland. Michel is fourteen when his parents die in a traffic accident and he must learn to cope with his new life. The translation is excellent. The language, which is sometimes colourful and graphic, expresses the anger and bitterness that Michel feels. Suitable for grades 9 to 12. - Marineau, Michele. Cassiopde, où L'ete polonais. Montréal:Quebec/ Amerique, 1988. 195p. Collection Jeunesse/ romans plus. $6,95. ISBN 289037386X. Set in New York, this novel is about a teenage girl who spends the summer months with a Polish family. She meets Marek, a teenager like herself, and they experience the pangs of first love. The novel is written in the form of a diary, with limited dialogue. Suitable for grades 11 and 12. - Montogmery, Lucy Maud. Anne . . . Ia maison aux pignons verts. Traduit par Henri-Dominique Paratte. Charlottetown, l.-P.-E.: Ragweed Press, 1986. 278p. $12,95. ISBN 0920304508. (Also on Middle Readers list) Anne of Green Gables is a perennial favourite. Montgomery's text is not easy to translate, but in this particular instance--the first French-Canadian translation since its first appearance in 1908--the language is rich. It is a book that should be in all public and school libraries. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grades 8 to 12. - Montgomery, Lucy Maud. Emilie de La Nouvelle Lune. Traduit par Paule Daveluy. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1983. 318 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890510905. This classic, originally published in 1923, is about Emily, a teenager who must make a way for herself. After the death of her father, Emily is adopted by her relatives, a tradition-bound Emily who owns a Arm on Prince Edward island. Emily keeps a diary in which she writes to her deceased father, but there is enough dialogue, action and humour to suit the tastes of very good readers. The translation is excellent. Suitable for grades 11 and 12. - Plante, Raymond. Le dernier des raisins. Montréal: Quebec/ Amerique, 1986. 163p. Collection Jeunesse/ romansplus. $6,95. ISBN 2890373126. Francois is a teenager. He is a good student, loves classical music, is rather shy and is madly in love with Anik, another student. How the two of them finally get together is the gist of the novel. The text is humorous and sprightly but some of the verb tenses may pose some difficulty. Suitable for grades 8 to 12. - Professeur Scientifix et Bernard Larocque. Encore des experiences. illustré par Jacques Goldstyn. Sillery, Quebec: Quebec Science,1985. 119p. Collection des petits debrouillards. $8,95. ISBN 2920073354. (Also on Middle Readers list) This excellent book covers sixty interesting experiments not included in the earlier books in this series. The text is nicely laid out and is easy to follow, and the illustrations enhance the text. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even 8 and 9. No index. - Richards,Robert. L'animalerie des petits debrouillards. illustré par Jacques Goldstyn. Sillery, Quebec: Quebec Science, 1986. 92 p. Collection des petits debrouillards. $8,95. ISBN 2920073400. (Also on Middle Readers list) This is an excellent book on how to choose, purchase and care for a house pet (cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and birds). It also deals with the responsibilities of each owner toward his pet. The simple illustrations complement the text and are often quite humorous. The text is clearly laid out and easy to follow. Suitable for grades 5 to 7 and even grade 8. No index. - Schinkel, David et Yves Beauchesne. Aller retour. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1986. 143p. CollectionConquetes. $10,95. ISBN 2890513211. (Also on Middle Readers list) Aller retour is the story of thirteen-year-old Martin who lives with an uncle, an alcoholic who beats him. Martin runs away to Montréal where, for a time at least, he must survive on his own. The story, which has a happy ending, is well told and the dialogue is lively. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 and 9. - Smucker, Barbara. Un monde hors du tempts. Traduit par Paule Daveluy. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1985. 224 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890512835. (Also on Middle Readers list) Because of an accident, Ian McDonald is forced to spend some time in a rural Amish community in Ontario. There he comes to respect Amish customs and finds friendship and affection. A well constructed novel with a brisk style. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 and 9. - Soulieres, Robert. Casse-tete chinois. illustré par Serge Rousseau. Montréal: P.Tisseyre,1985. 180p. Collection Conquetes. $9,95. ISBN 2890512878. Casse-tete chinois is a mystery story in which a client of a detective agency asks the co-owners to undertake the mission of finding her missing nephew. The tone is very informal, the dialogue is lively, and the humour engaging. Suitable for grades 9 to 12. - Le sport et toi. Traduit par Nicole Ferron. illustré par Pat Cupples. SaintLambert, Quebec: Heritage, 1989. 96 p. $9,95. ISBN 2762552621. (Also on Middle Readers list) This book does have an index! Le sport et toi describes the scientific side of sports (for instance, the question of balance) and includes some experiments. The layout and illustrations are similar to the layout and illustrations in the "Collection des petits debrouillands." Includes a lot of easyto-follow information. Suitable for grades 6 and 7 and even grades 8 to 12. Includes index. - Truss, Jan. Jasmine. Traduit par Marie-Andree Clermont. Montréal: P. Tisseyre, 1986. 247 p. Collection des deux solitudes, jeunesse. $9,95. ISBN 2890513084. (Also on Middle Readers list) Jasmine is the oldest of a family of seven who live in Alberta. When her brothers destroy her science homework and throw her notes in the outhouse, Jasmine is convinced she will fail her year and she runs away to the woods. Eventually, she is rescued and comes to terms with her situation. The translation, which is very successful, incorporates some familiar expressions and a little dialect, which might present a problem for some readers. Suitable for grade 7 and even grades 8 to 10. - Turcotte, Diane. Le double dans la neige. Montréal: Paulines, 1987. 103 p. Collection Jeunesse-pop. $5,95. ISBN 2890391272. (Also on Middle Readers list) Le double dans la neige is a good mystery story, the kind of book you might offer to la reluctant reader. Two teenagers unravel a kidnapping and save a handicapped boy. The text is moderately difficult, but there is a good dose of dialogue mixed in with the descriptive passages. Suitable for grades 7 and even grades 8 to 10. Villeneuve, Jocelyne. La princesse a la mante verte. illustré par Luc Robert. Sudbury, Ont.: Prise de parole, 1983. 95 p. Collection contes et legendes. $5,95. ISBN 0920814549. This sad story was inspired by an Ojibway legend. The only daughter of an Ojibway chief is kidnapped by the Sioux. In trying to save her tribe, she leads the Sioux to their death and her own as well. The use of the present tense brings the text to life, but it does include certain difficult expressions. Suitable for grades 8 to 12. Irene E. Aubrey heads up the Children's Literature Service at the National Library of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. In 1989 she received the Claude Aubry Award from the International Board on Books Canada for her distinguished contribution to Canadian children's literature.