Before we go on vacation I try to read a book set in that local. I usually learn something new about wherever we're going and it helps me shift gears. Right now we're getting ready for our trip to France and I decided to have the girls join my vacation tradition. This will be Margot's first trip to France and since Isabelle was only 10 months old the last time we went, it will be the first trip she'll remember. Here's what we've been reading.
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
Adele & Simon by Barbara McClintock
This book is set in 1907 and follows an older sister and younger brother during their walk home from school. Along the way they make many stops at places like the Louvre and Notre-Dame and at each stop Simon misplaces something - from his hat to his backpack. At the very end of the book there is a map of Paris which shows their entire journey. The girls enjoyed it and I feel like we'll probably leave a trail of toys and other belongings through Paris. Not like that's never happened here or anything. Wink, wink.
Belinda in Paris by Amy Young
This is from the Belinda the ballerina series and in this book Belinda is offered the chance to perform in Paris, but when she arrives she finds the airline lost her ballet shoes. Since Belinda has extra, extra large feet, she has to find someone to make her ballet shoes and it takes her all over Paris. The girls love ballet, so we did a lot of dancing after reading this book.
Everybody Bonjours! by Leslie Kimmelman
This book follows a little girls during her trip to Paris where everyone says bonjour! She visits all the sites of Paris and at the end of the book it gives a great description of each - great for the adults.
Flight 1-2-3 by Maria van Lieshout
This isn't about France, but since this will be Margot's first time flying, I wanted to find a book that would help us talk about what an airport is and what the flight might be like. This was perfect for a toddler! A fun note for those that enjoy graphic design - the typeface used in this book is Frutiger by Swiss designer Adrian Frutiger. It was commissioned in 1968 for Charles de Gaulle International Airport in France and has been used at airports all over the world.
ADULT BOOKS:
This book was actually one I read in September for book club. Talk about perfect timing! All the Light We Cannot See is set during World War II and takes place in Paris, Saint-Malo and throughout Germany. It centers around two children growing up during the war - one French and one German - and how the war changed the course of their lives. The detailed writing of this book really pulled me in and reading about occupied France right before visiting the country just reminds me how resilient people are. I highly recommend this book!
Freedom Fries and Cafe Cream by Jocelyn Rapinac
I picked this up at our local bookstore, Prairie Path Books. They had a whole section of books related to France for Bastille Day and when I mentioned we were going there, the shopkeeper recommended this book. It's a collection of 12 short stories that center around France or the French culture and French food - recipes included. I have been saving it for our trip and I can't wait to dig in!
