Un Dimanche a Kyoto

This vibrant, engaging assortment offers children an entertaining introduction to the French language. From stories of friendship, family, discovery, and self-esteem to silly, snappy songs of one-of-a-kind barnyard animals, lullabies, and segments of classical music, children tune in to a variety of musical styles and multicultural experiences. The accompanying CDs provide children an opportunity to hear the pronunciation of the words and sing along as they learn the language.

The lush, color-washed line drawings in the book focus on the whimsical title-song “Comptine en mode zen” (Nursery Rhyme in Zen Mode) that tells the tale of an improbable group of musicians who come together to play their instruments in old Kyoto. The curious cast includes cane-wielding Joe from Cajun land, his kimono-clad Japanese wife, their Spanish friends, a little boy with a high-pitched voice, and a Buddhist monk. Sixteen additional songs on the accompanying CD introduce zany-crazy characters such as the old lady who snorts like a hog in “La mère à Maillard” (Maillard's Mother) and a rooster who serves eggs for breakfast in “Les quatre oeufs” (The Four Eggs).