Customer Reviews

Joyeux Noel: Learning Songs and Traditions in French (Teach Me) (Book & Audio CD) (French Edition)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There were no reviews so I took a chance and am so glad I did. There are 21 songs with lyrics written in French; the audio CD is very lovely and the audio is clear. Because the lyrics in French are included, we can sing along. The audio CD also includes the written passages in the book, which are descriptions of the author's advent and Christmas traditions. The illustrations are very lovely. The songs include: The Advent Song, What did you see Sheperdess?, Away in a Manger, Saint Nicholas Poem, Deck the Halls, O Christmas Tree, The Little Drummer Boy, Joy to the World, Bring a Torch, He is born the Holy Child, O Holy Night, Gloria, The Ox and Grey Donkey, Father Christmas, Pat-a-pan, Silent Night, Auld Lang Syne, Jingle Bells, March of the Kings, Let There be Peace on Earth. The only disappointment I have is that the lyrics are not translated into English for a few of the songs, but that is a something I can overlook when I love the book and CD overall.

I have looked at a LOT of products for children & French and I have to say that this CD/book combination is really tasteful and enjoyable. It tells about French Christmas traditions from the point of view of a person's memories about advent, shopping, the Saint Nicolas, getting a Christmas tree, the Christmas eve dinner, New Years, Epiphanie and so on. The narrator speaks slowly and clearly in French. The brief narrations are interspersed with songs. The songs are nice, slightly contemporary arrangements of traditional Christmas songs with an adult and chorus of children. I don't think it is just for K-4th grade though and that older kids could relate to it, too.

For French teachers teaching about French Christmas traditions, this book would be a wonderful resource. For someone learning French or who has family or friends in France, it is a beautiful window into the French Christmas tradition. One of the nicest products about France for an American market that I have seen.

Since I am currently studying french, I bought this audiobook in order to improve my pronunciation as I learn christmas songs, which I love, but in the french language. I simply LOVE IT! It has been a great help!