"Colorful illustrations, field notes, and cleverly integrated word keys promote comprehension whether readers are fluent in English, French, both, or neither."
Foreword Reviews – STARRED REVIEW
"Adderson’s lively and humorous blending of French and English vocabulary offers a unique invitation to play in two languages – an exploration that young readers et ses parents should find hard to resist."
Quill & Quire – STARRED REVIEW
"I love the book. It strikes a great balance between French and English, and the simple, colourful, and eye catching illustrations reinforce the context. I think this book will appeal to parents who have put their children in French Immersion but who don't speak French because the dialogue is simple enough that a non-French speaker can comprehend it. I think it will help students succeed in French whether immersion or core. The timing is right for a series like this. I will recommend this book.
Toronto Catholic District School Board - B. Moore
"The story of two friends, one adventure, and two languages! In a perfect blend of French & English, this gorgeous picture book is accessible to readers of any language! The perfect bilingual book to ease listeners into learning a new language - or just grow those inference skills!"
Second Star to the Right Children's Books Mariana Calderon
Pierre & Paul is a truly delightful story about two friends and their imaginary adventures. Fully bilingual, it tells the tale in two languages, relying on context cues and images to help the reader along. The result is a fresh and playful cross-cultural exchange!
Munro's Books Kirsten Larmon
"This exciting book weaves a single story, with dialogue, lists, and narration in alternating languages, often depending on who is speaking. The effect is wondrous."
Canadian Review of Materials
04/01/2020
Gr 2–5– Paul and Pierre are best friends and explorers who decide to climb a grand mountain but forget the most important item for traveling: snacks! The two friends then go on a different journey to create a sandwich fit for young mountaineers, exploring French and English words as they go about their task. Instead of simply telling a story in English and then translating the French words underneath, Adderson uses a combination of English and French sentences, dialogue, and everyday words. Typically, Pierre speaks in French and Paul in English, with different actions or items being repeated in both languages so readers understand what is happening. Carter's illustrations also help readers understand the story by providing visuals with both types of words, so that it is generally clear what word goes with what object or action. The illustrations are colorful and fun, filled with details that are humorous and imaginative. Together, Adderson and Carter have created a blend of two languages and an adventure. VERDICT An excellent bilingual story for children learning French and English.—Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign, IL
2020-01-12
"Paul and Pierre are great explorers. Ils sont aussi des amis. Friends and explorers." Instead of presenting a bilingual story with line-by-line translation, this book alternates entire sentences in each language for a unique structure that keeps readers on their toes. When Paul gets hungry, they leave their (imagined) Himalayan trek to see what's in Pierre's kitchen, where they begin stacking all sorts of ingredients into a tall sandwich: "Ham, cheese, mayonnaise. Du beurre, de la laitue, un concombre." Between the illustrations and the English clues, English-speaking readers are bound to pick up a few words and phrases in French, but only the very curious will be up for the multiple readings that will truly bear fruit in that regard. Paul, a pale boy with red hair and freckles, speaks English, while Pierre and his mother, both black, speak French—but all characters understand one another. The childlike illustrations combine the boys' imaginations with their real world: The sandwich becomes a mountain, which finally topples in the titular avalanche, becoming Paul's least favorite meal (salad!). While the correspondence between pictured items and their words is not always perfectly obvious, the goal here prioritizes fun over explicit instruction.
Very silly and very smart, this distinctive find is worth checking out. (Picture book. 4-9)
