Finding French kids novels without spending tonnes of money!!

[BLAZEY]

My daughter is in French Immersion ( Grade 4 )and I am looking to expand her French library without breaking the bank. Our public library is dismal for material for her reading level, the school library is wonderful however, with over 50% of the school being FI, all the kids are fighting for the same popular books.

I did order some through Scholastic reading club before Christmas, only to have them out of stock and those removed from my order! GRRR! Due to major renovations to the school library the entire collection was moved from the library to a smaller resource building and we did not have the Scholastic Book Fair scheduled for before the holidays.

She wants popular books (Amulet, Le Journal d'une Grosse Nouille, Dogman, Geronimo /Thea Stilton). I don't want to buy book without her at least being able to test out the series first. Even Amazon.ca and indigo have limited selections. If I'm searching wrong any suggestions?

My question is, where can I find these types of books without paying like $25/book plus shipping? She did get a Kindle Fire for Christmas so I'm hoping to be able to get e-books to help reduce cost. Any help or hints would be greatly appreciated. For the record I'm in Victoria BC, almost as far from the francophone population you can get in Canada.

 

[star72232]

Looks like the Geromino Stilton are at Chapters - $9.95/book or $6.99-7.99 for Kobo editions (look under Geromino Stilton, then pick French on the left side bar). Some of the Amulet books are there, but they are more expensive ($17 each).

Have you tried any used book stores?

 

[prairiesarah]

Have you tried Russell Books on Fort? I am not sure if they carry any kids French novels but I would give them a call if you haven't checked there. I know they have a pretty fantastic selection. (Used to live in Victoria and Duncan but now in SK - was looking for a rare book for my son for Christmas and they had it so was able to get my mom to get it for me thankfully).

 

[isabellea]

Have you inquired about inter-library loans with your public library for digital books?

My oldest is in 4th grade and she mostly read in French. Her favourite series are The LOL series, Mini Maude, Fanny, Mortelle Adèle, Mon mini BIG à moi collection and Lili B. Brown. Chapters and Amazon are not very good for books in French imo. When buying her books online I almost always buy them from Renaud-Bray or Archambault.

If Canada Post wasn’t so expensive I could loan you some by mail...

 

[BLAZEY]

Looks like the Geromino Stilton are at Chapters - $9.95/book or $6.99-7.99 for Kobo editions (look under Geromino Stilton, then pick French on the left side bar). Some of the Amulet books are there, but they are more expensive ($17 each).

Have you tried any used book stores?

I love used books!
I have scoured all the used books stores locally plus varagsale.
She just seems to read them faster than I can source them, which is a blessing and a curse. I'll try the used book section on amazon!

 

[BLAZEY]

Have you tried Russell Books on Fort? I am not sure if they carry any kids French novels but I would give them a call if you haven't checked there. I know they have a pretty fantastic selection. (Used to live in Victoria and Duncan but now in SK - was looking for a rare book for my son for Christmas and they had it so was able to get my mom to get it for me thankfully).

Yes, great selection of everything BUT French Kids books, Walked out of there with many of her favourites in English!

 

[BLAZEY]

Have you inquired about inter-library loans with your public library for digital books?

My oldest is in 4th grade and she mostly read in French. Her favourite series are The LOL series, Mini Maude, Fanny, Mortelle Adèle, Mon mini BIG à moi collection and Lili B. Brown. Chapters and Amazon are not very good for books in French imo. When buying her books online I almost always buy them from Renaud-Bray or Archambault.

If Canada Post wasn’t so expensive I could loan you some by mail...

Oh, GREAT Idea on the interlibrary Loans! I'll try that! Thanks for the names of some other series and shops to try as well.

 

[hdrolfe]

My son's school offers a couple different apps/websites for books. Perhaps your school does the same? Or could? Sora, Raz-Kids are the two I can think of. I am not 100% sure they have french books but they are another option, or perhaps there are others? He has Voila website for french homework help too.

 

[Madame]

I order classroom novels (secondary level) through Archambault https://www.archambault.ca/
If you order enough delivery is free. I order several over the summer to try & find new novels to interest my Immersions. I always look up reviews beforehand.

 

[BLAZEY]

HI, OP here. I just wanted to come back and thank you all for you suggestions. I have a couple of books requested through inter-library loans and going to have DD9 look at some of the titles on the Archamault website. I am also going to encourage her NOT to get English books from the school library, just French ones and I'll take her to the public library if she wants English books to read.

 

[alohamom]

I am just discovering Facebook Marketplace and selling groups in my area. My cousin buys most of her kids clothes through a local FB mommy to mommy selling group and it makes me wonder if you might find used FI books for sale that way? Just a thought.

 

[SaraMc]

The samko and miko website often has a good selection. Friends of ours who have kids in French immersion have ordered from them.