Pierre & Paul: Avalanche! - by Caroline Adderson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Pierre and Paul are neighbors, friends, and explorers. Pierre speaks French and Paul speaks English, but that doesn't stop them from sharing their adventures. The boys imagine everyday situations into grand exploits--today, they are climbing the Himalayas. To fuel their journey, they decide to make a mountainous sandwich. Pierre and Paul add ingredients until the sandwich staggers, topples, and--avalanche!--Publisher marketing.

Book Synopsis

Pierre and Paul are neighbors, friends, and explorers. Pierre speaks French and Paul speaks English, but that doesn't stop them from sharing their adventures. The boys imagine everyday situations into grand exploits--today, they are climbing the Himalayas!

To fuel their journey, they decide to make a mountainous sandwich. Pierre and Paul add ingredients until the sandwich staggers, topples, and...avalanche! Ham and fromage, laitue and cucumber jumble until they become a salad. The boys don't really like salad...but explorers have to be brave.

This story is told half in French and half in English, with simple phrasing and visual cues in the illustrations making the story easy for early readers to decode in both languages. Illustrations in a loose, colorful style make this vocabulary-learning tool also an engaging story of friendship and imagination.

Review Quotes

"I love the book. It strikes a great balance between French and English, and the simple, colourful, and eye catching illustrations reinforce the context. I think this book will appeal to parents who have put their children in French Immersion but who don't speak French because the dialogue is simple enough that a non-French speaker can comprehend it. I think it will help students succeed in French whether immersion or core. The timing is right for a series like this. I will recommend this book."--B. Moore, Library Technician

"The story of two friends, one adventure, and two languages! In a perfect blend of French & English, this gorgeous picture book is accessible to readers of any language! The perfect bilingual book to ease listeners into learning a new language - or just grow those inference skills!"--Mariana Calderon "Second Star to the Right Children's Books"

"Adderson's lively and humorous blending of French and English vocabulary offers a unique invitation to play in two languages - an exploration that young readers et ses parents should find hard to resist."-- "Quill & Quire - STARRED REVIEW"

"Alice Carter's vivacious illustrations are integral to Adderson's quirky narratives... They explain, complement, and reinforce the action of the plot."-- "The Ormsby Review"

"An excellent -bilingual story for children learning French and -English."-- "School Library Journal"

"Colorful illustrations, field notes, and cleverly integrated word keys promote comprehension whether readers are fluent in English, French, both, or neither."-- "Foreword Reviews - STARRED REVIEW"

"This exciting book weaves a single story, with dialogue, lists, and narration in alternating languages, often depending on who is speaking. The effect is wondrous."-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

"Very silly and very smart, this distinctive find is worth checking out."-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Pierre & Paul is a truly delightful story about two friends and their imaginary adventures. Fully bilingual, it tells the tale in two languages, relying on context cues and images to help the reader along. The result is a fresh and playful cross-cultural exchange!"-- "Kirsten Larmon, Munro's Books"

About the Author

CAROLINE ADDERSON is an internationally published, award-winning author of books for readers of all ages. Her children's books have won the Diamond Willow Award, the Sheila Egoff Award, and the Chocolate Lily Book Award. Her books have been nominated for various awards, including the Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award, the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award, and the Rocky Mountain Book Award.
ALICE CARTER is an Ottawa based illustrator and writer. She graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. Alice is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and CANSCAIP. She is inspired by people watching, music and nature. You can visit Alice's imagination at www.alicecarter.com