Pierre and Paul: Avalanche! by Caroline Adderson and Alice Carter has filled a gap in the offerings available to learners just beginning to learn French. It has long been a problem. There are just not enough books for children in French immersion to access independently, especially those who have just entered the stream and are taking up the French language for the first time.  We need to support these learners in both their French and English reading.

Pierre and Paul are friends and explorers. They are off in the Himalaya’s climbing a very tall mountain. Until they realize they forgot to pack snacks. So they climb down the mountain to make themselves a delicious sandwich. Sandwich building gets a little involved until they have an enormous and very unstable sandwich. When it all comes crashing down they enjoy a delicious salad instead.

The illustrations in this book are so colourful and engaging. They will capture the imagination of all readers. We love how the story is told in two languages, French and English, and very accessible no matter your French comprehension.  Simple sentences and an easy to follow storyline with French and English intermingling to create a fantastic resource for those children who are just beginning their French language journey. Caroline Adderson has brilliantly woven together French and English while Alice Carter brings the ingredients to life with her illustrations.