Promoting French Literature Through Book Fairs: A Bridge Between Cultures And Communities

Clotilde (left) and Sylvie (right)

I recently had the chance to visit the French book fairs organized by Clotilde French Bookstore in the Seattle area. They took place in the three bilingual schools - the French Immersion School of Washington (FISW), the French American School of Puget Sound (FASPS), and the North Seattle French School (NSFS).  

Book fairs are much more than just a chance to buy books. They represent a celebration of cultural and linguistic diversity, an essential element in bilingual education. These events allow children to immerse themselves in other cultures, improve their language skills, and strengthen their multicultural identity.

Here’s how these fairs and access to French books can benefit our children: 

Reading books in French offers a window into Francophone cultures, allowing children to explore customs, stories, traditions, and ways of life from French-speaking countries all around the world. By reading classic tales, modern stories, or French comic books, students can better understand and appreciate the diversity of the world around them. This fosters open-mindedness and acceptance, essential values in our society. 

For example, works by great authors like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, with Le Petit Prince, or the humorous adventures of Asterix le Gaulois, created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, give children a unique and entertaining perspective on culture and history. Beyond classic books Clotilde Delestre who develops book fairs on the West Coast of the United States was the perfect guide for French-speaking children's literature, inviting young people to open their reading horizons. For instance, she presented the opportunity for the students discover her favorite books like: Coucou ! by Gwé for the youngest students, Filou et Pixie by Mellow, or, Les histoires pressées by Bernard Friot for the oldest. 

Books in French, whether fiction or non-fiction, encourage children's imagination and creativity. Fantastic stories, adventure tales, comic books and even Mangas transport them to new and exciting worlds. This allows them to dream, create their own stories, and develop narrative skills. In addition, illustrated books and comic books are particularly effective in encouraging young readers. Captivating visuals associated with French texts help children understand the context and emotions of the characters, facilitating a more inspiring and engaging reading experience. For example, the texts and illustrations of books published in France differ from those published in North America. We can take for instance this book that I saw at the Clotilde French book fair: Comme un million de papillons noirs by Laura Nsafou. This book is deeply poetic and invites the reader to ask questions about diversity and inclusion. I’d like to mention here that the author will be touring the Pacific-Northwest and will meet FISW students in March 2025. After reading her books, it will be the perfect opportunity to meet the author. This had already been the case during the recent visit of Achdé, the comic book illustrator of Lucky Luke. 

Reading in French helps children develop their sense of identity and connect to their cultural roots, especially those who come from Francophone families or who have French-speaking ancestry. It could reinforce their sense of belonging to a larger community and could help to maintain their linguistic and cultural heritage. 

The French book fairs in the FISW, FASPS, and NSFS schools are not just educational events; they are also moments of celebration and conviviality. These fairs offer families, teachers, and students the chance to come together and discover new books. They create lasting memories and strengthen the links between school community members around their love for the French language. I witnessed the impact of these events on the students themselves, and, as a youth literature advocate, I am grateful to all those who support this valuable initiative: Clotilde Delestre CEO of Clotilde French Bookstore, FASPS Parent Committee, NSFS team, and Christelle Caron (FISW). Your commitment is invaluable to the community. 

The funds of the rare libraries or bookstores that offer books in French are very limited in King County and almost inexistent in Washington state. It is important to share the pleasure of reading and mixing with all communities by opening these fairs to all.  

I dream that this kind of event —French book fairs or book clubs— will one day open to all Francophone families and French-learners in Seattle, the Eastside, and beyond. 

More interesting ressources:

• "Lire, un moyen exceptionnel d'apprentissage des langues étrangères" (Reading: An Exceptional Way to Learn Foreign Languages);

• Reading guide from "Lire et Faire Lire" (article in French);

• Conférence BNF : La littérature jeunesse, continent sans frontières ? | Assises de la littérature jeunesse (BNF Conference: Children's Literature, a Borderless World? | Children's Literature Symposium - video in French)

Sylvie Joseph-Julien 

Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters 

Founder & Director Sjj agency – a nonprofit organization that promotes French language and Francophone cultures through comic arts and youth literature in the United States and in Europe.