Bon Voyage: Passport to the Francophone World
Ready to take an imaginary trip around the French-speaking world? Our printable francophone world passport adds joy to the journey!
We suggest some possible ways to use the passport (but your own inspiration is totally okay too!). See our video for a preview of how to use the passport. The printable passport is available on Etsy.
FRENCH CLASSROOMS: If you have a classroom of students, students could be divided into groups and each group assigned a French-speaking country to research. Each group could then present their research to the class. When the presentations happen, the presenters could have the audience pretend to go through customs and “stamp” the passports (with our printable stickers that come with the passport printable) as they begin their presentation. Then the audience could take notes on the presentations in the appropriate passport pages.
HOMESCHOOLERS: If you are a homeschooling family (or a family who just loves to learn together), we suggest (see below) a Charlotte Mason-style feast of books that you can enjoy for 5 different countries in the French-speaking world. Before you begin each country, give your children time to write what they know and what they wonder about the country. Then give your child a passport “stamp” (stickers that come with the passport printable). As you read the books, children can narrate (with drawings or writing) some of the things they remember from the books in the “What I learned” page for each country. You can read as many (or as few) books as you like, and go at your own pace. Enjoy the journey!
FOR EVERYONE: To make your journey even sweeter, consider making a food from each country too. We suggest one food idea for each country. Movies could also add a lot of fun to the imaginary trip. I hesitate to suggest movies, but I am including some. Please do your own research to see if the movies are appropriate for your children before you show them.
Below is our suggested list of books, movies, and foods (with links). Bon voyage!
La France
There are so many lovely books about France, we found it hard to narrow down our suggestions. If you have other favorites, please use those as well. The books we chose have a Paris focus, while the movie takes place in the south of France. (Please use the links to find out more about the books, food, and movies.)
Non-fiction overview book:
France (Enchantment of the World series by Scholastic)
Picture books:
The Girl and the Cathedral: The Story of Notre-Dame de Paris
*Click here for additional free activities related to these books in our post, Paris Picture Books.
Novels:
The Family Under the Bridge A heart-warming story about caring for others that also gives a window into the scenery of Paris.
Family Sabbatical This book is laugh-out-loud hilarious! So much fun as a read aloud!
Food:
Movie:
My Father’s Glory One of my favorite movies, as I spent some of my college days in the south of France. The landscape is beautiful, and the story is endearing as well.
Le Canada (Québec)
Our family has had the opportunity to travel to Quebec in the lovely summer months, but it’s probably no surprise that there are a number of picture books about Quebec in the winter months. (Please use the links to find out more about the books, food, and movies.)
Non-fiction overview book:
Canada (Enchantment of the World series from Scholastic)
Picture books:
F is for French: A Quebec Alphabet
The Lion and the Bird – This book is by a Quebecois author and tells the story of a lion who hosts an injured bird over the winter. Of course you would want to mention that lions don’t live in Quebec, but this books is so lovely, I had to include it in the list. (Our family has this book in French… it’s a great story for children learning French, as there are very few words.)
Novel:
Shadows on the Rock – This book really brings to life Quebec in its early days. I’ve read it and listened to it more than once, and I would read it again!
Food:
Movies:
Blizzard This movie uses Quebec City as the setting for the North Pole.
Le Sénégal (and other Francophone African countries)
Some of the books suggested here are for countries in French-speaking Africa, in addition to Senegal. (Please use the links to find out more about the books, food, and movies.) The novels we suggest here are quite intense, so please preview them to see if they appropriate for your family.
Non-fiction overview book:
Senegal (Enchantment of the World series by Scholastic)
Picture books:
The Red Bicycle My daughter was inspired to donate her bike to Bikes for the World after reading this sweet and inspiring story!
The Water Princess We have free printable activities to accompany this story. Find them here.
Novels:
One Shadow on the Wall This novel has a sad beginning (parents dying) and tells the story of many difficulties faced by children in Senegal. The overarching message of the book is the love of family and community. However, parents should read this book before deciding if it might be appropriate for their older children (not appropriate for younger children). This book could provide an opportunity for great discussions on morals and facing difficult situations.
The Bitter Side of Sweet This novel, about slavery in cocoa production, tells a very important story. However, the violence is graphic and intense (I found I had to skim some parts), so it is definitely not a book for young children. Parents should read it before possibly considering sharing it with teens.
Movie:
Kirikou – Back in my days as an au-pair in Paris, the kids were singing the song from this movie and it still rings in my head, “Kirikou n’est pas grand… mais c’est mon ami…” I have not watched the English version of the movie, but I imagine it still has catchy songs. The movie can be watched for free in French through archive.org.
La Polynésie française
Books that take place in French Polynesia seem to be hard to find, but hopefully these can provide a starting point. Some of the suggestions here are not specifically about French Polynesia, but Polynesian culture and geography in general. (Please use the links to find out more about the books, food, and movies.) If you are looking for books in French that take place in French Polynesia, we suggest looking for books at Lire en Polynésie .
Picture books:
Animals of Tahiti This book is simply contains photographs and names of animals in Tahiti, but my children said they enjoyed it.
The Swimmers: Paper cut-outs with Matisse Matisse spent time in Tahiti, and his time there is said to have inspired the vibrant colors and shapes in his cut-outs. This book does not mention his time in Tahiti, but the reader could add in this information. The book gives directions for how to make cut-out art of your own.
The Brilliant Deep This book is about the corals in Florida, but also about the need to save corals around the world. I am including it here, as there are beautiful corals surrounding Tahiti as well.
Novels:
Call it Courage A Newberry Award classic. Be aware the story begins sadly with the death of the main character’s mom.
Treasure in Tahiti This book is out of print, and we have not had the chance to read it, but we mention it as there are not many books about Tahiti available in English.
Food:
Tropical fruit inspired treats
Movie:
Moana or Moana 2 Animated Disney movies that show the island landscape of Polynesia.
La République d’Haïti
We found many sweet books about Haiti ! (Please use the links to find out more about the books, food, and movies.)
Non-fiction overview book:
Haiti (Enchantment of the World series by Scholastic)
Picture books:
Novel:
Serafina’s Promise This book is lovely and inspiring. It is written in the form of a long poem. Despite very difficult conditions, the story is full of faith and hope in the Lord. My girls (6 and 10) wanted me to keep reading it any time it was time to stop reading… “Just one more page, Mom?”
Food:
Movie:
Egalite for All: Toussaint L’ouverture and the Haitian Revolution This in an informative documentary. I listened to it without watching it, as I can’t handle watching violence.
Ready to travel? You can find our Francophone World Passport in our Etsy shop. It’s an instant download, so you can print as many copies as you need for your family or your classes. Watch the videos below to learn how to assemble and use your passport. If the video images to not load, please use these links:
How to print and assemble the passport
How to use your passport to take an imaginary trip
Bon Voyage!
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