We are about to embark upon the holiday of a lifetime which
includes four weeks travelling around France. To this end, I
have attended French classes for the past couple of years and although my French
is still, at best, basic I am confident I can at least find my way around a
menu or even a map.
My tutor uses a high school text in class but her
advice was to find some French reading
material; novels, newspapers, magazines, etc. which she said would
help us with our translation and promote our knowledge of nouns. So, I acquired
several books that I have gradually worked through over the months - but
they're probably not quite what she had in mind...
I began with several beautifully illustrated children's
picture books including the classic Blanche-Neige
(Snow White). I then picked up a number of French fairytales including roule galette, a
fabulous story about a rolling pie! Fortuitously and for me
well-timed, our own Anne Morgan produced a French language version of her
book The Sky Dreamer.
The French title is Le
bateau de reves, or The Boat of Dreams, and I have enjoyed
reading Anne's wonderful picture book all over again, this time in a different
language. And then finally I graduated to a novel - one we are all familiar
with: Le magicien d'Oz
(The Wizard of Oz).
I don't know why I thought it would be easier to read
children's books, because it isn't. And I'm still struggling through the novel.
But, I am learning so many new words and also discovering bits and pieces of
the story I had long forgotten. Perhaps one day I'll graduate to
adult novels in French, but for now, I'm just thrilled I have the excuse to
read beloved children's stories once again.
Penny Garnsworthy
P.S.There are a couple of bookshops in Australia that
sell French children's books (as well as adult books).
This blog is very well written and I appreciate your efforts.. Keep up the good work holiday in Australia and want to spend a lot of time in Tasmania....:)
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