| RUOI Home | Back |

Noteworthy Books on the Family

French Titles - continued

Denotes that the book is either a translation or is available in translation.

Des photos qui parlent

Jean-Marie Poupart
Illustrations: Francis Back
Montreal: Éditions de la courte échelle, 1991
93 p. ISBN 2890211622
Ages 9 to 12.

This story, narrated by the 12-year-old hero, features brilliant, humorous dialogue that always rings true. The boy is precocious, and his lively, pointed observations about adults and the world around him are accurate and telling.

His mother is concerned that the boy has no father and no male role model in his life, and he agrees to be matched with a "big brother". The latter turns out to be a detective, who involves the boy in an investigation he is working on and soon realizes that the boy and his friends have a talent for shadowing people. In hospital, following a mishap, the detective learns that the boy has taken photographs that will provide convincing evidence in court. The boy is proud of his mentor and is proclaimed a hero.

The characters in this detective story are presented in black and white drawings that are integrated in a lively way into the text.

Courtesy of: Éditions de la Courte Échelle

Pourquoi les vaches ont des taches?

Geneviève Lemieux
Illustrations: Julie Garneau
Saint-Hubert, Quebec: Éditions du Raton Laveur, 1993
22 p. ISBN 2920660268
Ages 3 to 6.

A very curious little boy asks his father questions. Patiently, his father gives rational answers. Each answer makes the boy think of new questions, which always start with "why?". After answering complex questions about jungle animals, the father is stumped when he is asked why cows have spots.

This amusing story, with rich and colourful illustrations, will give parents ideas for coping with children at the "why?" stage.

Courtesy of: Éditions du Raton laveur

Sophie et le supergarçon

Henriette Major
Illustrations: Michel Garneau
Saint-Lambert, Quebec: Héritage jeunesse, 1992
125 p. ISBN 2762570190
Ages 8 to 10.

This story, which combines vampires, a lovable witch, a guitar, a walkman and a drum set, is hard to put down even after reading, especially for teenagers. One wants to flip through it, re-reading various passages and studying the black and white drawings, which are so lively and evocative, in order to relive the beauty of the story.

This novel deals with the special camaraderie and closeness that exists between child and parent in a single-parent family. The children share the joys, happiness, pain and heartbreaks of their parents, sometimes encouraging them in forming new adult relationships, sometimes reproaching them for breaking up the friendships that have just started to form between the children of each partner.

In spite of everything, the children in the story seem to have a normal young adolescent life -- inventive, mischievous, determined, independent and full of plans and dreams for the future. Their innocent scheming and the ways they involve their elders in their plans give them a stronger sense of identity.

Courtesy of: Héritage jeunesse

Les Vainqueurs

Mary-Ellen Lang Collura
Translation: Marie-Andrée Clermont
Montreal: Fides, 1987
213 p. ISBN 2762113628
Ages 12 to 16.

After enduring 11 foster homes in eight years, Jordy Threebears now lives with his grandfather, Joe Specklehawk, on a reserve in Alberta. Jordy feels abandoned and lonely and finds it hard to adjust to life on a reserve. His self-esteem and confidence begin to grow as he learns to train a racing pony, given to him by his grandfather, and as he develops new friendships.

Social, racial and personal issues are all the focus of this story of a contemporary, 15-year-old Blackfoot Indian boy.

Courtesy of: Éditions Fides

Zunik

Bertrand Gauthier
Illustrations: Daniel Sylvestre
Montreal: Éditions de la courte échelle, 1984-1994
24 p. ISBN 289210464, 2890210464, 2890210588, 2890210685, 2890210693, 2890211010, 2890211029, 2890211525, 2890211533, 2890212165
Ages 3 to 6.

This excellent series of brief stories features an imaginative and energetic little boy named Zunik. He lives with his father and has a very frank and open relationship with him. His mother lives in New York. Combining humour and realism, the books tell the adventures of Zunik at home, at school, at the store, at the arena and so on. They present everyday situations and focus on Zunik's relationships with those around him, such as his father, his father's girlfriend and his friends. Each story ends on a positive note (I love my father when he is funny, when he encourages me, when he is worried about me, etc.).

The colourful illustrations are full of action, reflecting little Zunik's lively nature.

Courtesy of: Éditions de la Courte Échelle