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Noteworthy Books on the Family

French Titles - continued

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

Une bonne et heureuse année

Roch Carrier
Illustrations: Gilles Pelletier
Montreal: Livres Toundra, 1991
24 p. ISBN 0887762689
Ages 6 to 10.

In this book, Carrier has given the reader a large and nostalgic glimpse of 1940 in his small village of Ste. Justine, Quebec: a large glimpse, because the preparations for New Year's Day start the summer before when "grandmother picked the cherries for the New Year's Day wine"; nostalgic, because it is a remembrance for family and community relationships that are universally valued today.

In early December the real preparations began. Then the house was filled with smells of tourtières, fruit pies, cookies and candies. After the opening of the gifts, the Carriers visited the grandparents and the feasting, fiddling and dancing continued throughout the day. More gifts were exchanged; and the jugs and bottles were opened. For one four-year-old who fell asleep, the day ended in a cavern among the mountain of fur coats.

With his folk-art illustrations (acrylics), Pelletier also provides an in-depth glimpse of the times. His detail, minute and accurate, embellishes the text with its own colour and humour.

© 1991 text: Roch Carrier, art: Gilles Pelletier, published by Livres Toundra

Câlinette

Michel Luppens
Illustrations: Béatrice Leclercq
Saint-Hubert, Quebec: Éditions du Raton Laveur, 1991
24 p. ISBN 2920660217
Ages 3 to 8.

Célinette tells the beautiful story of a little frog who, feeling bored, asks the various members of her family to play with her. Unfortunately, they are all busy that day because -- surprise! -- her mother is giving birth to four more cute little frogs. The story is told in a very appealing way and it is easy to make the link with the human world.

The imaginative illustrations complement the well-written and easy-to-read text.

Courtesy of: Éditions du Raton laveur

Cassiopée ou L'Été polonais

Michèle Marineau
Montreal: Éditions Québec/Amérique, 1988
Collection Jeunesse / Romans plus
195 p. ISBN 289037386X
Ages 12 and up.

Cassiopée, who is 14, lives with her mother. Her parents are divorced and she refuses to accept both her mother's new boyfriend and her father's new wife. To avoid going to summer camp, Cassiopée runs away.

This is a novel charged with atmosphere, depicting the changing world of a teenage girl: her rebellion, her running away, her self-discovery, and the expression of her first love. The situations and feelings are described with realism. The characters, including the adults, are shown in a sympathetic light. Cassiopée becomes more mature, finally coming to appreciate those around her who love her.

Courtesy of: Éditions Québec / Amérique

C'est pas juste!

Dominique Jolin
Illustrations: Dominique Jolin
Saint Hubert, Quebec.: Éditions du Raton Laveur, 1993
22 p. ISBN 2920660233
Ages 3 to 8.

"It's not fair!" says the little girl. All her friends seem to have so many things that she doesn't have. Her dad listens patiently to her complaints and gradually helps her realize that she has something that the others will never have.

Children will cherish the illustrations and humorous details in the story.

Courtesy of: Éditions du Raton laveur

Le Ciel croule

Kit Pearson
Translation: Michelle Robinson
Montreal: Éditions Pierre Tisseyre, 1991
355 p. ISBN 289051440
Ages 10 to 13.

World War II has reached the English shores. Norah Stoakes is horrified when her parents tell her that she and her five-year-old brother Gavin are to be evacuated to Canada. Her denial, anger and resentment are immediate and profound and directed towards everyone. Only at the end as she learns acceptance of others from Gavin and, ironically, acceptance of wrong in herself from her Canadian hostess, Aunt Florence Ogilvie, does she recognize the morass she has let herself sink into. The story unfolds like a historical tapestry of personal and social conflicts. The translation reads very well.

Courtesy of: Éditions Pierre Tisseyre 1991