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French Titles About Magic
Margot is invited to visit her friend Simone, a spoiled little girl whose parents bought her a mare that has just had a foal. One day, when Simone is trying to lead the foal out of the stable by its mane, the mare nudges her gently to make her stop. Following this incident, Simone's parents decided to sell the mare. On her way to her friend's house, Margot has a strange dream: she is wandering around a magic castle inhabited by animals that can speak. One of them, a horse, approaches her and gives her a mission, to discover a magic ring that will prevent the foal from being separated from its mother. After extraordinary adventures, Margot succeeds. The detailed, expressive black-and-white illustrations help us to better understand the story. CM
Élisabeth feels abandoned by her "second family" when her best friend moves to Toronto. She is only twelve years old and her real family has almost ceased to exist. It has been four years since her mother left and her father hardly bothers with her now. She wants to shake him to show him that she is still there. Élisabeth is so bored that she decides to become a fortune-teller. She wants to make people happy and decides to tell them only good things. She finds a crystal ball, adopts the exotic name Zaza and makes a fortune-teller's costume with some of her mother's old clothes. Every day, she goes to the subway station where she plies her new trade. She makes a new friend, Georges, the station's caretaker. One evening, while her father is drunk, she runs away from the house to spend the night in the subway station. That night, with her "imitation crystal" ball, Élisabeth comes to the aide of the caretaker. She warns him of an incident and, because of it, he is able to avoid serious danger. Georges, for his part, saves her life too; he helps her to reconnect with her father. This is Louise Champagne's first book. Zaza's story is full of imagination, courage and hope. ACM
Rose Latulipe adores dancing. For several days she torments her father about throwing a party for Mardi Gras. Rarely able to refuse his darling Rose's requests, he agrees but only on condition that tradition be followed, that is, that the celebrations be over by the first stroke of midnight. Whoever dares to dance on Ash Wednesday risks serious punishment. Rose accepts right away; at last she will be able to dance for a whole evening. The arrival of a stranger late in the evening turns everything topsy-turvy, and Rose ends up defying the taboo. An adaptation of the legend of Rose Latulipe which emerged in the 1700s in a small village in the Rimouski area, this tale is described with the simplicity of a storyteller who whisks us into Rose's universe where the sudden developments are as delightful as they are unexpected. The colourful and expressive illustrations are a marvellous addition to the text; they project the characters' joy and liveliness. The text by Robert Soulières captivates from beginning to end, making us want to find out about other forgotten legends. PB
This is the tale of the destiny of two children from two different countries, Pierre from the Brittany region of France and Ahonque, a young Aboriginal girl from Canada. The time is that of the discovery of New France by Jacques Cartier. Our two young heroes meet when the ship from France arrives in the New World, and a friendship forms between the two. Told in the fashion of a historical novel and a legend, this tale will initiate young readers in the history of Canada and familiarize them with tales of Aboriginal culture. The novel is written simply and eloquently, like the stories our grandmothers might have told, incorporating magic and adventure. The illustrations by Francis Back enhance André Noël's story beautifully. LL
Klonk is a most unusual character. He has the power to move objects with his mind. When you have a friend like Klonk, you have to be ready for anything. In this third book in the series, Klonk invites Lance for a walk in a cemetery. Why does he want to meet him in such a sinister place? Klonk wants to die to see what happens on the other side. Lance thinks it's madness. What will happen if the experiment goes wrong? Klonk takes Lance on a dark and mysterious adventure that will make him break into many cold sweats. AC
Zachary dreams of having a dog and has been begging his parents for one for months. He always sleeps with his eyes open so he can see his dreams in the dark. Very early one morning, he thinks he sees a big dog and two zebras outside. He follows them, but can't catch them. He meets a man called "the Dream Collector." The Collector collects everyone's dreams before the sun comes up. But once the sun is up, the dreams are there to stay. This time, he hasn't finished collecting the dreams. Dreams are everywhere; he has to clean up the street and it's an emergency. Zachary helps him catch the dreams. His truck repaired at last, the Dream Collector is getting ready to go. He leaves the dog with Zachary -- his dream dog has become reality. His parents won't believe their eyes! A nice story about dreams for children. The water-colour illustrations add another dimension to the text and enhance the reader's pleasure. ACM
In the middle of the forest lives Verrue (also known as Wart), an ugly and not very nice witch who amuses herself by concocting evil potions. Belzébuth, her cat, is in love with Angélique, the cat belonging to the magician Melchior, who invents delicious remedies. This is a forbidden love since Verrue and Melchior hate each other and will not allow their cats to see one another. However, the mischievous Belzébuth takes advantage of a sorcery festival to prepare a love potion. When she returns from the festival, a tired and feverish Verrue accepts the care of the magician. Subtly, the cat Belzébuth manages to swap his flask with Melchior's. Naturally, Verrue falls in love with Melchior and, surprised by this strange behaviour, he too tastes the potion. We can imagine the rest. The colour illustrations cover almost the entire surface of the pages and work well with the text. A story to be told any time. CM
Gustave has a very special friend, Clémentine, a tiny little sprite who possesses the power to imitate any sound or noise. Clémentine has an adventurous spirit and wants to climb aboard Gustave's new kite to see the city from way up high. Gustave thinks the idea is too dangerous but Clémentine manages to climb onto it without his knowledge. Gustave's worst enemies, Horace and his dog Tyran, arrive in the park. Gustave is so frightened that he lets go of the string, and the kite crashes into a linden tree. Gustave is worried; he will do anything to get his sprite back. After many attempts, he finally finds her. This is a very lovely story about friendship. AC
Casimir Menhir and Ninon Carton: what strange names… and what a strange adventure await you! Their curiosity takes them into the depths of the sewers where they meet a terrifying witch. She keeps children prisoners and uses them as brooms, chairs and tables. This text, full of witch terms like sour-mouse soup, sewer-rat stew, bat pee, skin of a smelly toad, will make young readers laugh. Will our young heroes succeed in freeing all the little children? Discover how a magic potion made of children's tears and a magic fertilizer will enable them to expand like popcorn and free themselves. The superb illustrations by Dominique Jolin are a marvellous addition to this witch story! DSH 
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