French Immersion II Recommended Non-Fiction for Canadian Schools by Diane Melanson Volume 22 Number 2 1994 March/April From ladybird beetles to ecosystems, from science activities to maple syrup, from hockey to Armand Bombardier, it's all here, all in French. In January 1991 CM published what has proved to be our most popular feature bibliography, "French Immersion: Annotated Bibliography of Recommended Canadian Books" compiled by Irene Aubrey. The focus of that bibliography was French-language picturebooks and fiction published in Canada. This month, we are featuring a complementary bibliography of French-language non-fiction material recommended for French Immersion elementary classrooms and libraries. The bibliography is organized by subject/series and reading level. I am indebted to CM Editorial Board member Patricia Cooper, who asked Diane Melanson to compile this bibliography for CM. Ed. Science IMAGES DE CHEZ NOUS (Les éditions du raton-laveur) Junior Kindergarten / Primary Wordless picture-books very good for story starters and vocabulary building. Recommended as a resource for teachers and parents. Benard, C. En éteé 1984. ISBN 2-92066000-4. Lessard, Marie. En hiver. 1984. ISBN 2-920660-01-2. A L'ÉCOLE DES IMAGES (Scholastic Canada) Primary This series is good for beginning readers who would be discouraged by the sight of too much text, yet who can read well enough to be able to do research on their own. The illustrations are bright and colourful and very well laid out on the page. The text is informative, and offers the data in simple, easy-to-read language. Les animataux de la ferme. Translated by Laurence Berrouet. 1991. ISBN 0-59073904-2 (cloth). Les animaux familiers. Translated by Laurence Berrouet. 1991. ISBN 0-590-73907-7 (cloth). Les animaux sauvages. Translated by Laurence Berrouet. 1991. ISBN 0-59073905-0 (cloth). Royston, Angela. Les animaux de la jungle. Translated by Agnes Van de Wiele. 1992 (c1991). ISBN0-590-74335X (cloth). Royston, Angela. Les dinosaures. Translated by Agnes Van de Wiele. 1992 (c1991). ISBN 0-590-74333-3 (cloth). CINÉ-FAUNÉ (Éditions Michel Quintin) Primary/Junior A variety of authors have contributed to this series. Each small book deals with a specific animal and its environment and habits. The text is clear and very easy to read. The most appealing aspect of this series is the illustrations. They are brightly coloured and, while faithful to the appearance of the animal, often place their subjects in a humorous context. Children will find the illustrations attractive and will be drawn to them. Dufresne, Colette. La coccinelle. Illustrated by Lise Monette. 1989. ISBN 2-920438-79-4 (cloth), ISBN 2-920438-28X (paper) L&ecute;vesque, Joseph. Le harfang des neiges. Illustrated by Pierre Jarry. 1991. ISBN 2-920438-37-9 (cloth). Quintin,Michel. Le maringouin. Illustrated by Doris Barrette. 1989. ISBN 2-920438-70-0 (cloth), ISBN 2-920438-30-1 (paper). Quintin, Michel. Le porc-&ecute;pic. Illustrated by Louise Martel. 1987. ISBN 2-92043871-9 (cloth), ISBN 2-920438-15-8 (paper). Quintin, Michel. Le raton laveur. Illustrated by Evelyne Arcouette. 1988. ISBN 2-920438-69-7 (cloth), ISBN 2-92043817-4 (paper). Sylvestre, Louise. La pieuvre. Illustrated by Pierre Jarry. 1989. ISBN 2-920438-29-8 (paper). PELLICULE, PHOTOGRAPHE ANIMALIER (&Ecute;ditions Michel Quintin) Primary/Junior This series by Stéphane Poulin has his signature artwork front and centre. Although there is practically no text, we follow the adventures of "le photographer as he views the animal kingdom through his lens. The illustrations can lead younger children to discuss, question and do more research. To help with the identification of each animal, there is a list at the end of the book. Poulin, Stéphane. Album de famille. 1985. ISBN 2-92043812-3 (paper). Poulin, Stéphane. Les animaux en hiver. 1987. ISBN 2920438-39-5 (cloth), ISBN 2-920438-14-X (paper). Poulin, Stéphane. Les jeux zoolypiques. 1988. ISBN 2920438-23-9 (paper). NATURE (Les éditions Héritage inc.) Primary/Junior The titles listed in this and the two following sections (Expériences and Découverte/Environnement) are books that provide children with a variety of activities to do with easy-to-follow instructions in very clear, straightforward language. I recommend they be used as teacher resources or by students working on their own. Hickman, Pamela. Insectes de A á Zzzz. Illustrated by Judie Shore; translated by Angéle Delaunois, Marie-Claude Parenteau-Lebeuf and Dominick Parenteau-Lebeuf. 1990. ISBN 276256543-X (paper). Hickman, Pamela. Le monde des plantes. Illustrated by Judie Shore. 1992. ISBN 2-7625-6831-5. Hickman, Pamela. Nos amis les oiseaux. Illustrated by Judie Shore; translated by Nicole Ferron. 1989. ISBN 2-7625-5263-X. EXPERIENCES (Les éditions Héritage inc.) Junior Please see under Nature (above) for description. Expériences alimentaires du Centre des sciences de l'Ontario. Illustrated by Linda Hendry. 1987. ISBN2-7625-4785-7. Expériences scientifiques du Centre des sciences de l'Ontario. Illustrated by Tina Holdcroft; translated by Francine de Lorimier. 1987. ISBN 2-7625-4649-4. Gold, Carol. Science Express. Illustrated by Vesna Krstanovich; translated by Nicole Ferron. 1992. ISBN 2-7625-6832-3 (paper). DÉCOVERTE / ENVIRONNEMENT (Les éditions Héritage inc.) Junior Please see under Nature (above) for description. Bourgeois, Paulette. Découvre ce qui se cache sous tes pieds. Illustrated by Craig Terlson. 1991. ISBN 2-7625-6630-4. Grant, Lesley. Décourre les os. Illlustrated by Tina Holdcroft; translated by Nicole Ferron. 1993. ISBN 2-76257135-9. Grier, Katherine. À la découverte des myst&eagrave;res du passé et du présent. Illustrated by Pat Cupples; translated by Claudine Azoulay. 1990. ISBN 2-7625322-4. Love, Ann and Jane Drake. Passe d l'action: la vie sauvage en danger. Illustrated by Pat Cupples; translated by Nicole Ferron. 1993. ISBN27625-7183-9 (paper). Savan, Beth. Cycles terrestres et écosyst&eagrave;mes. Illustrated by Pat Cupples; translated by Nicole Ferron. 1992. ISBN 2-7625-7132-4. Seed, Deborah. La magie de l'eau. Illustrated by Bob Beeson. 1993. ISBN 2-7625-7182-0. Wyatt,Valerie. La météo. Illustrated by Pat Cupples; translated by Dominique Chauveau. 1990. ISBN 2-7625-6563-4. COLLECTION PLUME ET POIL (Editions Michel Quintin) Junior These books explore the world of a specific animal through its own adventures. The text is very clear, with a vocabulary that should be easy for Junior students. As with the other series published by Michel Quintin, the artwork is superb. Students will be captivated by the pictures and will be inspired to read the text. Not all of the text is factual, however. The back of the book provides a short synopsis of the life history of each particular animal. Beaudin, Louise. Au pays des sans chats. Illustrated by Louise Martel. 1985. ISBN 2-920438-06-9 (paper). Beaudin,Louise. L'arbre mort. Illustrated by Francois Caumartin. 1985. ISBN 2-920438-07-7 (paper). Gallichand, Daniéle. Marie Soleil la jeune abeille. Illustrated by Doris Barrette. 1988. ISBN2-920438-19-0(paper). Rousseau, May. Bidule la chaste. 1990. ISBN 2-920438-90-5 (paper). S.O.S. (Scholastic Canada) Junior These books, as the series name suggests, offer their readers food for thought about the environment. The focus of each book is a particular habitat and the endangered species found in those areas. Each book concludes with an animal that has completely disappeared from the environment. These books will provide much material for thought and discussion, especially as the beauty of these environments is illustrated against a rather sobering message. Bailey, Lydia. Les animaux des cours d'eau et des mers. Illustrated by Olena Kassian; translated by Jocelyne Henri. 1992. ISBN 0590730673 (paper). Bailey, Lydia. Les animaux des jungles et des forêts. Illustrated by Olena Kassian; translated by Jocelyne Henri. 1992. ISBN 0-59073073-X (paper). TRANSLATIONS OF THE "LOOKING AT" SERIES Primary/ Junior/ Intermediate These books can be used by the teacher as resources for experiments in the classroom, or by students who love to experiment. Full of information and activities, this series invites children to question, explore and play with science. The instructions for the experiments are easy to follow with material accessible to most children without having to go to a lot of expense. Suzuki, David and Barbara Hehner. L'environnement. Translated by Dominique Chauveau. Les éditions Heritage, 1991. ISBN 276256407-7. Suzuki, David and Barbara Hehner. La temperature. Translated by Dominique Chauveau. Les éditions Heritage, 1991. ISBN 2762564069. Suzuki, David and Barbara Hehner. Les insectes. Translated by Marie-Claude Désorcy. Éditions etudes vivantes, 1986. ISBN 2-7607-0302-9. Suzuki, David and Barbara Hehner. Les plantes. Translated by Marie-Claude Desorcy. Éditions études vivantes, 1986. ISBN 2-7607-0301-0. Suzuki, David and Barbara Hehner. Les sens. Translated by Marie Claude Désorcy. Éditions études vivantes, 1987. ISBN 2-7607-0313-4. Suzuki, David and Barbara Hehner. Ton corps. Translated by Dominique Chauveau. Les éditions Héritage, 1991. ISBN 2-7625-6405-0. COLLECTION DES PETITS DÉBROUILLARDS (Québec-Science Éditeur) Junior/ Intermediate This latest addition to the "Collection des petits débrouillards" will not disappoint those already familiar with previous titles. The style has remained the same, with instructions and information laid out in a predictable manner. The line drawings continue to provide a touch of whimsy and humour. The language, however, is better suited to children who have had several years of French-language instruction. Richards, Robert. L'animalerie des petits débrouillards. Illustrated by Jacques Goldstyn. 1986. ISBN2-920073-40-0. Biographies COLLECTION DÉCLIC (Les Editions de la Cheneliere Inc.) Junior This translated collection addresses th need for biographies that ar informative, straightforward and easy to read. The selection of individuals in this series: is quite varied, with different professions being represented. The text is accompanied by either a photograph or illustration on every page, so that reluctant researchers will feel motivated to dip in. Alexander Graham Bell: I'inventeur du téléphone. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-137-2 (paper). Armand Bombardier: I'inventeur de la motoneige. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN2-89310-138-0(paper). Frederick Banting: la découverte de l'insuline. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-136-4. Webb, Michael. Alice Wilson: I'histoire de la terre. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN2-89310-147-X(paper). Webb, Michael. David Suzuki: lagrande vedette de la science. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN2-89310-141-0 (paper). Webb, Michael. Helen Sawyer Hogg: au cceur des étoiles. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-140-2 (paper). Webb, Michael. Louis Pasteur: le détective des maladies. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-145-3 (paper). Webb, Michael. Marie Curie: la découverte du radium. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-139-9(paper). Webb, Michael. MaudeAbbott: les bébés bleus. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-142-9 (paper). Webb, Michael. Norman Bethune: un médecin au front. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN2-89310-155-0 (paper). Webb, Michael. Roberta Bondar: une scientifique dans l'espace. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-156-9 (paper). Webb, Michael. Sandford Fleming: le bâtisseur de chemins defer. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-157-7 (paper). Webb, Michael. Thomas Willson: Monsieur Carbide. Translated by Lise Malo. 1993. ISBN 2-89310-146-1 (paper). Information Pot-pourri BRICOLAGE (Les éditions Héritage inc.) Junior A variety of titles and subjects is covered in this series. Many are translated works by authors who have specialized in a particular field or domain. What they all have in common is an informative, clearly written text. For children interested in making objects, there are easy-to-follow instructions with step-by-step illustrations. For those wanting to perform experiments, there are a variety to choose from, with, again, a procedure that is easy to follow using materials accessible to children. Informative texts can help children to research and to discover. All of the texts I perused had black-and-white illustrations, which might deter some children who are accustomed to colour ones. Encourage them to look beyond that. These books are a treasure trove of information, activities and discovery. Boucher, Hél&eagrave;ne and Henriette Major. La magie du maquillage. Illustrated by Mich&eagrave;le Devlin. 1990. ISBN 276255251-6. Cailloux, Michel. J'apprends la magie avec Michel-le-magicien. Illustrated by MichàleDevlin. 1991. ISBN2-76256836-6 (paperbound boards). Dubuc, Suzanne. De drôles de masques. Illustrated by Philippe Germain. 1991. ISBN 2-7625-5250-8. Dubuc, Suzanne. Des costumes en papier. Illustrated by Mich&eagrave;le Devlin. 1991. ISBN 2-7625-6738-6. Dubuc, Suzanne and Henriette Major. De fêtê en fêtê. 1990. ISBN27625-52524. Dubuc, Suzanne and Henriette Major. Marionnettes, sansftls, marionnettesfaciles. Illustrated by Mich&eagrave;le Devlin. 1991. ISBN 27625-5253-2. Major, Henriette. En criant ciseaux! Illustrated by Mich&eagrave;le Devlin. 1988. ISBN 2-7625-5088-2. ACTIVITÉS (Les éditions Héritage inc.) Junior Bourgeois, Paulette. La magie du papier. Illustrated by Linda Hendry; translated by Claudine Azoulay. 1990. ISBN 2-76256316-X. Francis, Neil. Super objets volants. Illustrated by June Bradford. 1989. ISBN 2-7625-5247-8. Gryski, Camilla. Jeux deficelle. Illustrated by Tom Sankey; translated by Marie-Andree Clermont. 2 vols. 1988. ISBN 276255206-0; 2-7625-5207-9. Gryski, Camilla. Mains habiles, doigts agiles. Illustrated by Pat Cupples; translated by Dominique Chauveau. 1991. ISBN 276256835-8. Irvine, Joan. Bricolons avec des boîtes. Illustrated by Linda Hendry; translated by Sylvie Prieur. 1992. ISBN 2-76257133-2. Irvine, Joan. Fabrique en 3 dimensions: cartes et autres objets. Illustrated by Barbara Reid. 1988. ISBN 2-7625-5188-9 (paper). Jenkins, Patrick. Les secrets de l'animation et création de dessins animés. 1993. ISBN 2-7625-7134-0. Kaner, Etta. Ballons en folie. Illustrated by Louise Phillips; translated by Nicole Ferron. 1991. ISBN2-7625-6576-6. Kaner, Etta. Le monde des sons. Blustrated by Louise Phillips; translated by Nicole Ferron. 1992. ISBN 2-7625-7181-2. Reid, Barbara. Jouons avec la plasticine. Translated by Mcole Ferron. 1989. ISBN 2-7625-5246-X. ALIMENTATION (Les éditions Héritage inc.) Junior Bourgeois, Paulette. La magie de la pomme. Illustrated by Linda Hendry; translated by Claudine Azoulay. 1989. ISBN 2-7625-6313-5. Bourgeois, Paulette. La magie de la pomme de terre. Illustrated by Linda Hendry. 1991. ISBN 2-7625-6840-1. Griffin, Margaret and Deborah Seed. La Magie de l'oeof. Illustrated by Linda Hendry; translated by Claudine Azoulay. 1990. ISBN 276256315-1. Linton, Marilyn. Le sirop d'érable. Illustrated by Lesley Fairfield; translated by Claudine Azoulay. 1990. ISBN 2-76256321-6 (paper). Ross, Catherine and Susan Wallace. Le lait, un aliment étonnant. Illustrated by Linda Hendry; translated by Mcole Ferron. 1991. ISBN 2-7625-6834-X. SPORT (Les éditions Héritage inc.) Junior/Intermediate Le sport et toi. Illustrated by Pat Cupples; translated by Nicole Ferron. 1989. ISBN2-7625-5262-1. McFarlane, Brian. Le hockey pour les jeunes. Illustrated by Bill Slavin; translated by Dominique Chauveau. 1991. ISBN 2-7625-68331 (paper). Addresses Les éditions Héritage inc. 300, rue Arran Saint-Lambert, Qué. J4R 1K5 Les Éditions de la Cheneli&eagrave;re inc. 215, rue Jean-Talon est Montréal, Qué. H2R 1S9 Les Éditions du raton-laveur C.P. 300, Succursale Lafl&eagrave;che St-Hubert, Qué. J4T 3D2 Éditions études vivantes 8023, rue Jarry est Montréal, Qué. H1J 1H6 Éditions Michel Quintin 4818, rue Foster C.P. 340 Waterloo, Québec. JOE 2N0 Québec-Science éditeur 2875, blvd Laurier Ste-Foy, Québec. G1V 2M3 Scholastic Canada 123 Newkirk Rd. Richmond Hill, Ont. L4C 3G5 Diane Melanson was a French Consultant and currently teaches a French Immersion class at St. Raphael Secondary School in Malton, Ontario. Her hobby is reading.