CHILDREN'S BOOKS ABOUT FRENCH CANADIANS OR FRANCO-AMERICANS

[Gerard R. Bourassa]

THE FOLLOWING TWO CHILDRENS' BOOKS HOLD A PLACE OF HONOR

ON MY OVERCROWDED BOOKSHELVES.

ONE IS "THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD-LOUIS CYR" BY NICOLAS DEBRON

PUBLISHED BY GROUNDWOOD BOOKS 2007. IT IS A FASCINATING WORK ABOUT

THE MAN WHOSE FEATS OF STRENGTH ARE UNRIVALED TO THIS DAY. PROFUSELY

ILLUSTRATED IT NOT ONLY DEPICTS CYR AS A MODERN DAY HERCULES BUT

ACCENTUATES HIS DEVOTION TO HIS FAMILY AND HIS NEED TO PROVIDE FOR

THEM.

THE OTHER BOOK IS "THE GOAT LADY' BY JANE BREGOLI PUBLISHED BY

TILBURY HOUSE PUBLISHERS 2004. MS BREGOLI'S AMAZING COLORFUL PAINTINGS

ARE REASON ENOUGH TO BUY THIS BOOK, BUT THE TRUE STORY ABOUT THE

AUTHOR/ARTIST BEGOLI'S CHILDREN BEFRIENDING AN ELDERLY FRENCH-CANADIAN

WOMAN, NOELIE LEMIRE HOULE, WHO TENDS TO HER GOATS WHICH SHE RAISES

FOR THEIR MILK, IS HEARTWARMING AND INSPIRATIONAL.

MY QUESTION TO MY FELLOW FRANCO-AMERICAN BLOGGERS IS

THIS. DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW OF ANY OTHER GOOD CHILDRENS'

BOOKS ABOUT FRENCH-CANADIANS OR FRANCO-AMERICANS?

GERARD R. BOURASSA

[R Bonin]

Thank you Gerard for mentioning these books. They are on my Christmas Wish list.
Roger

[Gerard R. Bourassa]

Roger,

Thanks for responding to the discussion. Let us know if you come

across any other books, especially for kids, that you would recommend

relating to Franco-Americans. Tonight I purchased a book entitled

"Joyeux Noel 'Teach Me' Learning Songs & Traditions in French"

at an area bookshop.

It is a slim volume of about 30 pages but very colorful and with an

accompanying CD. It's authored by Judy Mahoney, Illustrated

by Roberta Collier-Morales and published by Teach-Me Tapes Inc.,

in 2006.

It contains 21 songs, some of which are traditional Christmas

songs of France such as "C'EST BIENTOT NOEL" ," IL EST NE LE

DIVIN ENFANT", and "PETIT PAPA NOEL". Others are more familiar

to me in English but are translated into French like AWAY IN A MANGER,

O CHRISTMAS TREE, AND THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY.

Though the host of traditions and customs contained in

the book are in reference to France and not necessarily Quebec,

it makes fine reading for Franco-Americans anyway.

The music on the CD is very enjoyable.

There is something about childrens' voices that makes Christmas

songs more magical.

Gerard R. Bourassa

[R Bonin]

Gerard,
Thanks again.... These are all wonderful books.

If I come across anything, I will post them.

Roger

[Jeanne-marie Tran]

Dear Gerard,

I am working on a French Canadian Folk Tale about few brothers who are loggers early 1900's, who have a flying canoe to tavel back and forth from the Laurentiens to Old Mont Real to visit home, but there is a twist I shan't tell. Sound interesting, or blah? What do you and other readers think. Just trying to expand French history and culture in an entertaining way for children to enjoy and maybe remember for their children. This is a real folk story but not in printed for, not that I know of anyway. I'm really hoping for comments...Jeanne-marie

[Gerard R. Bourassa]

Jeanne-marie,

Your folk tale about the French-Canadian logging brothers with

the flying canoe sounds really captivating! I hope someday to read

it in print along with any other French-Canadian folk tales that you

decide to write about. The thing about childrens' books is that it allows

us to share our enthusiasm for our heritage with the younger generation,

with our own Franco-American people and with people of other ethnic

backgrounds as well. I'm 48 and I still love kids books myself. I hope that

you include whimsical illustions with your tales. Bonne Chance!

Gerard R. Bourassa

[Jeanne-marie Tran]

Dear Gerard,

Thanks for the generous encouragement. I have written 3 other folk tales from other cultures, but since I am a novice, I don't really know what to do with them. I guess I will keep writing until I get the courage to try to publish.

On another note, I printed a poem I wrote on my mother's death (there is evidence someone in the family has wrapped up tight) that her LeBlanc family background is tied to the Evangeline of the history books. I put it into this site but I cannot find it. Do they not accept literary works on this blog, or can I expect it was not up to their expectations, or how would I find out? Thanks for your help. Bonne matin y auvoir. Jeanne

[Joelle Hoffman]

I really like "The ransom of Mercy Carter", sister of my husband's ancestor: Jean Chartier, who got kidnap by and lived among the native americans.

Joelle Hoffman