The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères
This story serves up a delightful recipe for a children’s book: take one adorable tale of Parisian mice who want to win the prize for the best cheese soup in France, add a full serving of the whimsical illustrations of Marie Letourneau, mix in a dash of French language and a sprinkling of Parisian café culture, and voilà! We have The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères (Bistro of Seven Brothers).
With many basic French words cleverly woven into the story, readers will absorb the language without even realizing it. A pronunciation guide is included at the book’s beginning, and the famous cheese soup recipe is shared at the end (click here for the recipe)!
Picture Book | Ages 4 – 7
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-9749303-6-7 | 32 pages | $15.95
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-933718-18-7 | 32 pages | $7.95
Ebook ISBN: 978-1-933718-44-6 | $7.95
Lexile Level: 590 | Guided Reading Level: M | Grade Level: 2-3 | Reading Recovery Level: 20
Meet the Author
Marie Letourneau is a full-time illustrator and graphic artist, with a BA in Fine Arts from Hofstra University’s New College on Long Island. Marie illustrated Is a Worry Worrying You?, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids, and is the author and illustrator for Argyle Fox. She and her family live in New York.
Danielle Reed-Baty is a New York City based journalist who has written for the Wall Street Journal, the New York Daily News, and the New York Observer. She is a former resident of Paris and is married to French furniture maker Jean-Philippe Baty. They live in New York with their daughter, Julie.
The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères Reviews
“The illustrations are wonderful, the reader will pick up a few words of French, and there is a feminist-mouse (femousenist?) point made.”
—Books Worth Giving By Daniel Pinkwater, Wondertime Magazine
“With fanciful illustrations, an amusing gastronomical story and everyday French words and phrases effortlessly incorporated into a primarily English text, this is an engaging introduction to French culture and language. There’s even a pronunciation guide and, on the publisher’s website, a recipe for Chef Marcel’s delicious cheese soup. Ooh la la!”
—50 Must Read Books for Kids, Atlanta Parent
“Budding foodies will salivate, and the Gallic touches add a droll flavor.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“With her lively text and expressive illustrations, Marie LeTourneau has created the recipe for a winning picture book, liberally spiced with French phrases and sprinkled with a helpful pronunciation guide.”
—Washington Parent