For families starting French or French immersion school
Help Your Child Feel More Ready for French School
Starting school in a new language is a big adventure for children and parents alike. How to Have a Bonne Rentrée is a bilingual children’s book that gently introduces families to the French words, classroom routines and big emotions that often come with beginning French or French immersion school. Through Elliott’s first week at l’école, children can build familiarity before they walk through the school doors themselves.
Included inside:
- A bilingual English-French rhyming story
- French school vocabulary introduced naturally
- QR codes to sing along with Madame Amy
- A complete recorded read-aloud for pronunciation support
- Created for families, even if parents don’t speak French
Hardcover copies will be available through Indigo soon!
A gentle start before the first day
Your Child Does Not Need to Know French Before Starting School
Children are not expected to arrive at French or French immersion school already speaking French. Their teachers will help them understand through repetition, gestures, songs, visuals and familiar classroom routines.
You do not need to turn the weeks before school into French lessons. Sometimes, simply helping the experience feel a little more familiar can make a difference.
The Goal Is Familiarity, Not Fluency
Reading How to Have a Bonne Rentrée gives your child a chance to meet some of the words, sounds, routines and emotions they may experience at school, all from the comfort of home.
They do not need to memorize every French word. The story simply gives them a first glimpse of what their school days may look and sound like.
Hear New Words
Meet common French school vocabulary naturally through Elliott’s story.
See Familiar Routines
Discover what arrival, classroom activities and everyday school moments may look like.
Talk About Big Feelings
Use Elliott’s first week to begin conversations about excitement, uncertainty and change.
“I don’t have to understand everything yet.”
That is one of the most reassuring messages a child can carry into their first week.
No French experience is required to enjoy the story together.
Created with parents in mind
Support Their French, Even If You Don’t Speak It
Many parents want to help their child prepare for French school, but are not sure how to begin when they do not speak French themselves.
How to Have a Bonne Rentrée was created so families can explore the language together without needing to translate every sentence or pronounce every word perfectly.
Follow the Story in English
English context and illustrations help families understand what is happening while French words are introduced naturally.
Hear the French Pronunciation
Use the complete recorded read-aloud whenever you would like to hear the French words before reading them yourself.
Learn Through Songs
Scan the song QR codes so your child can sing along with Madame Amy and revisit the classroom language through music.
You do not need perfect pronunciation. You only need a willingness to explore the story, listen together and show your child that learning French can be something your family shares.
More than a storybook
Read, Listen and Sing Along
QR codes inside the book give families access to extra support from Madame Amy, so children can hear the French, join in with the songs and revisit the story whenever they like.
Song QR codes
Sing Along with Madame Amy
Children can scan the QR codes and sing the songs featured in the story, just as Elliott does in Madame Amy’s classroom.
- Hear the French words clearly
- Learn through rhythm and repetition
- Move from reading the story to joining in
Complete read-aloud
Listen to the Story Together
The complete recorded read-aloud helps families hear the French pronunciation and gives children another way to enjoy Elliott’s first week at l’école.
- Follow along with your own copy
- Hear every French word and phrase
- Listen again whenever your child asks
The QR codes are included inside the book. There is no additional purchase required to access the songs or recorded read-aloud.
Ready to Have a Bonne Rentrée?
Bring Elliott’s first week at French school into your home and help both you and your child feel more prepared, one page at a time.
Prefer a hardcover edition? Hardcover copies will be available through Indigo soon!
Made for real families and classrooms
Who Is How to Have a Bonne Rentrée For?
This bilingual picture book was created for children and grown-ups preparing for the transition into French or French immersion school.
Children Starting French School
A gentle introduction for children beginning kindergarten or their first year in a French-language school.
Children Entering French Immersion
Helpful for families who want to prepare for French immersion kindergarten without turning home into a classroom.
English-Speaking Parents
Designed for parents who want to support French at home, even when they do not feel confident speaking the language themselves.
Children Feeling Nervous
Elliott’s experience can help begin conversations about uncertainty, excitement and the emotions that come with starting somewhere new.
Teachers and Educators
A useful addition to kindergarten classrooms, school orientation events, daycare programs and French immersion collections.
Libraries and Community Programs
A welcoming bilingual resource for school libraries, public libraries, family literacy programs and French-language events.
Continue Elliott’s bilingual adventure
Discover How Elliott’s French Story Began
How to Have a Bonne Rentrée is Elliott’s second bilingual adventure, but families can enjoy each book on its own.
Book One
How to Make Un Ami
Elliott first becomes curious about French after hearing a little girl speaking it with her dad in a café.
The two children begin sharing words from their languages. Before long, the whole café joins in, and Elliott discovers that learning another language can open the door to new friendships.
The first story introduces Elliott’s curiosity about French. How to Have a Bonne Rentrée continues his journey as he begins school en français.
You do not need to read Book One first. Each story stands on its own, but reading both lets children follow Elliott from his first encounter with French to his first week at l’école.
Want to see where Elliott’s story begins? Read Book One: How to Make Un Ami
Everything included
A Bilingual Story Designed to Support the First Week of School
Every part of How to Have a Bonne Rentrée was created to help children become more familiar with French school while giving parents the support they need to enjoy the experience together.
Bilingual Rhyming Story
Follow Elliott through his first week at French school in a story where English and French flow naturally together.
Two Interactive Songs
Scan the QR codes to sing along with Madame Amy and revisit the language through rhythm and repetition.
Complete Read-Aloud
Listen to every page whenever your family would like extra support with the French pronunciation.
French School Vocabulary
Children meet useful classroom words and routines naturally through Elliott’s first-week experience.
Gentle Emotional Support
Elliott’s story creates opportunities to talk about excitement, uncertainty and the big feelings that can come with starting school.
Created for the Whole Family
Written for children beginning French school and the grown-ups supporting them through the transition.
No French Experience Required
English context, illustrations and audio support help families follow along even when the parent does not speak French.
A Story to Keep
Read it before the first day, revisit it during the first week and keep it as part of your family’s bilingual story.
Here's to a wonderful first week at l'école. ♥️
What families are saying
A Story Families Can Read Before the First Bell Rings
Hear from parents, educators and early readers who have shared How to Have a Bonne Rentrée with the children in their lives.
★★★★★
“In the excellent follow-up to How to Make Un Ami, in How to Have A Bonne Rentrée, little Elliot is back and getting ready for his first day of kindergarten in French. This is a great book for families with children who are preparing to start school in a French Immersion or French Language setting. In addition to helping little ones learn what to expect on day one, it also provides parents with common French vocabulary. Readers will be saying encore!”
Dr. Colin Campbell
Registered Child Psychologist
★★★★★
“The world needs more stories like How to Have a Bonne Rentrée! I just love the inclusivity within the books images and messages. This is the perfect story for educators (and not only French ones!). I will be using this every year within my programming. ”
Jill V.
Elementary School Teacher
★★★★★
“As an elementary principal for over 20 years, I frequently witnessed the trepidation children often experience with the beginning of school life. This sensitive story of Elliott and friends addresses their apprehensions through the safe space of storytelling in a very gentle and comforting manner. I highly recommend it for all parents of children entering French immersion schools and as an excellent addition to every kindergarten library!”
Darroll Salmon
Elementary Principal
Frequently asked questions
Questions About How to Have a Bonne Rentrée
Everything families need to know before choosing the book for their child, classroom or library.
What age is How to Have a Bonne Rentrée for?
The book was created primarily for young children preparing to begin kindergarten, French-language school or French immersion. It may also support older children who are new to French or feeling nervous about starting a new school.
Recommended age range: 3-9 years
Does my child need to know French before reading the book?
No. The story was created for children who may be completely new to French. English context and colourful illustrations help children understand what is happening while French words are introduced naturally.
Does my child need to speak French before starting French immersion?
No. French immersion programs are designed for children who are learning French. Teachers help children understand through repetition, songs, gestures, visuals and familiar classroom routines.
The goal of this book is not to make children fluent before school. It simply helps some of the words, routines and emotions feel more familiar.
Can I read this book if I do not speak French?
Yes. The English storyline helps families follow the meaning, and the recorded read-aloud lets parents hear the pronunciation of every French word and phrase.
You can listen first, follow along with the recording or enjoy the story while learning alongside your child.
Is the book written entirely in French?
No. It is a bilingual English-French picture book. The two languages are woven together throughout the rhyming story so children can follow the meaning while becoming familiar with French vocabulary.
What is included with the book?
Every copy includes the bilingual story, French school vocabulary, two song QR codes and access to the complete recorded read-aloud.
There is no additional purchase required to access the songs or read-aloud.
What is the difference between the hardcover and paperback?
Both editions contain the same complete story, illustrations, song QR codes and recorded read-aloud experience.
The hardcover is available through Indigo, while the paperback is available through Amazon.
Do we need to read How to Make Un Ami first?
No. Each Elliott story can be enjoyed on its own.
Reading Book One introduces children to how Elliott first became curious about French, but it is not necessary to understand How to Have a Bonne Rentrée.
Can teachers, schools and libraries use this book?
Yes. The book can be shared in French immersion classrooms, French-language schools, kindergarten orientation programs, daycares, libraries and family literacy events.
For classroom sets, school visits or larger orders, please contact us directly.
Where can I order the book?
The hardcover can be ordered through Indigo, and the paperback can be ordered through Amazon.
You will find both purchase options directly below this FAQ.
We Can’t Wait to Support Your Family’s Rentrée
We hope Elliott’s story brings reassurance, French learning and a little excitement as your family begins this new chapter together.
Hardcover copies will be available through Indigo soon!
Thank you for supporting independent Canadian authors and helping us
share a love of bilingualism with more families. ♥️