I am from a french background. My grandparents moved here when my dad was little. They speak with these luscious french accents, rolling their ‘r’ and sounding romantic, even when telling me off!
My sister, my cousins, my aunts and uncles speak french. They converse with our overseas cousins with ease and I am struck dumb, impressed with the accents and punishing myself for not paying attention when my Grandma tried to teach me when I was a child.
When we found out that Poss’ school was a french language school, it was just another reason to send her there. And she loves it, picking the language up quickly and confidently. After two years of french lessons, she counts to 20 without thinking, sings french christmas carols and tells me jokes in a dodgy french accent.
So when I was approached to review some of the french language books from Glottogon, we jumped at the chance.
We received a parcel with a fabulous DVD (which Poss has actually taken into school to proudly show her french teacher – hence no picture!) and some great books about french speaking characters in different countries. While I can’t read them, she is certainly loving them, picking out the words she knows and I know she is just waiting for Aunty Claire to come back home again to read them with her!
Along with the fabulous language books, Glottogon have a wonderful range of early language books and resources for those just learning to read, as well as those who are developing their second language skills.
And just because they are really nice people, they have given me a $50 voucher to giveaway so that you can try their books for yourself!
Drop by their store (here) and check it out, then come back and tell me what you would spend your $50 voucher on.
My sister, Claire will pick the answer that appeals best to her (just because she speaks THREE languages fluently, so I figure she knows about these things!).
You have until Monday 14th at 9pm to enter and she will pick it overnight on the Monday (because she is in Denmark, time differences and all) and I will announce on Tuesday 15th May. Judges decision (Claire) will be final and no debate will be entered into (or whatever that disclaimer should say) and it is open to Australian residents only.
I would like to give my answer in French…but can’t speak any other languages…I need the books for me!
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Love it Claire! Good luck!
Mr 3 is quite taken with French, even though husb and I both only speak school French! With no foreign blood for at least three generations back we have no multi-linguals in our family. We would love for our kids to grow up with another language but are not sure which one… I speak a bit of Russian and would love them to speak that but wouldn’t it be a bit weird!? I can just imagine them at their first job interview… ‘Yes, I speak another language, my Mum made me learn Russian.’ ‘Why?’ “I don’t know, she’s just like that…’
I like the bi-lingual books and would definitely buy I’m not Scared! – Meme pas Peur! with a voucher. Mr 3 is scared of lots of things. Maybe talking about it in another language might make it easier?
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I love the idea of the kids speaking Russian, yep – you should totally go with that! The girls would love them for it!
I too have a sister that speaks fluent French (tres jealous!) and was fortunate enough to also be 7 when she lived overseas. I still have my copy of Le Petit Prince that was sent to me so many years ago, so I think it only fitting to get a copy each for my niece and nephew. I have very fond memories of singing nursery rhymes in French, although I’m not entirely sure how accurate my renditions are, I still remember them to this day!
Oh I love that book and have a copy my grandma bought back for me from one of her trips back to France. Love it – I am sure your niece and nephew would love it too! Good luck!
Oh gosh, there are so many I would love for Indi. We have a collection of traditional Maori stories (we’re from NZ and she has a close but extend Maori family!) for her and want to add to that with Australian Aboriginal (her Paternal Grandmother is Australian) and Canadian Indian (her Paternal Grandfather was Canadian). Native stories had a huge influence on me as a child and I want Indi to grow to love and respect traditional cultures as I do. Their history, understanding of nature and story telling ability is so rich.
So I guess with that said I would have to start with ‘W is for Wombat’ (given that Indi is only 15mnths old) and I love the sound of ‘Original Girl’ so this would be one I would read to her. Then I like ‘Our weather’ – it’s bright and it’s a board book (perfect for little hands). That leaves us with $15.05, so I would add to that and get ‘Toys- Les Jouets’ – it’s a French pop-up book – how fun!
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Wow Kate – there is such a great mix there for you to chose from! I love the idea of building that respect for indigenous stories, there are so many wonderful ones out there and it builds on so much history and culture.
Good luck!
Oh damn those fancy Europeans and their romantic ‘r’ rolling! I’ve had lessons in Italian but my in-laws put me to shame. Would love to impress them with some Italian children’s books, at the moment my three year old’s repertoire only extends to Italian words for bum (don’t ask).
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I know right?! No matter how much I practise, my ‘r’s will always be clumsy!
Good luck!
My little girl is 50% Chinese, 50% Anglo, 100% Australian. So I’d love to get her this Chinese DVD where she can learn all about Australian animals in Mandarin! http://www.glottogon.com/shop/chinese-books-for-children/ages-2-4/wink-to-learn-animal-dvd-asian-rep-australian-wildlife-chinese/
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Love that idea! Good luck for the competition!
Hi! Firstly I’d just like to thank you for this amazing opportunity; I am a very passionate bookworm and am doing my best to try and instill a love of reading to my three beautiful daughters (and it’s working!)
I would choose an assortment of Greek and Indigenous books.
My husband is of Greek background, and it would be a beautiful way for hubby to bond with the girls; they could all curl up on the couch and have daddy read to them.
I would choose the Indigenous ones as I believe it is really important for the girls to learn about Aboriginal culture and their traditional stories, and see how they’ve been part of our wonderful country’s history, and future too.
Thanks Michelle!
Sounds like a wonderful plan – good luck with the competition!
Well done Michelle – Claire has picked you as the winner of this competition! Please drop me an email to renee @ aboutabugg.com and I will organise to get your voucher to you!
Wow – what a fantastic resource and giveaway.
I am an American married to a Brit living in Australia, but that Brit has parents and an Aunt and Uncle who have settled in France, and that Brit’s brother and his wife have settled in Spain! We visited all in 2010 and the kids picked up some of the language but I would love to get some of the DVDs for French and Spanish for us all to learn more together before the next European adventure. Love it!
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