Paris Hop!

While I seriously doubt that you could really get all this done in one day, I really enjoyed this book. I even felt breathless at the end of the book. It was a lot of fun and the kids can actually learn a lot about Paris. The illustrations were perfect for the story--lots of detail and they captured the speed of the day well.

Review will be posted March 13 A cute children's book about a Grandma taking her granddaughter to Paris for the day. The book starts out with some key French phrases and how to pronounce them. The story is told in rhyme, which is extra impressive with the french words thrown in throughout! Super adorable illustrations as well. Now I want to visit Paris!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review, I was not otherwise compensated.

I loved the story and illustrations. I had fun reading the list of words and their meanings/translations- including the way it is suppose to sound out. I learned a few words while getting a snap-shot of Paris.

Awesome book! Kids love to learn foreign languages

I loved the style of the illustrations and the inclusion of the French phrase glossary. Very nice indeed!

My almost 5-year old twin sons highly enjoyed this book.
It gave them an eye opener about European culture and is beautifully written.
See you in "Paree"!

I really liked this book. It starts with a glossary of french words so that when it is randomly dropped into the story, the reader knows what is being said. I really liked that it did more then the basic "my name is", "I see" etc.

This is a really cute book and fun to read. Like that learning French words is integrated into the story. The illustrations are adorable making it a hit with the granddaughter!!

Really cute books that I would consider using for a bilingual French/English story time.

Having visited Paris, I can testify to what a fun and interesting city it is. I've been on the world's largest lightning conductor - La Tour Eiffel - during a thunderstorm which was a fun experience. I can also testify to what a magnificent view it is from there, even partially obscured by rain. Paris isn't - or wasn't, when I was there - a city full of looming and obstructive skyscrapers, so you can on a clear day, as they say, see for miles.

Grandma Goldie and her granddaughter, Aimee (yes, Aimee, you know who you are!), are interested in seeing how the city looks at sunset, and they plan on heading over to the tower in good time to see it. The problem is that there is so much else to see, so many distractions, so many sights and sounds and smells which keep on getting in their way. For the Français-challenged, there is a glossary of French words used in the text.

First there's the boulangerie where croissants, éclairs, and baguettes lure them in. Then there are the street artists and the Punch and Judy puppet show. The Louvre of course, is not to be missed, but having only one day in Paris, I rather suspect at this rate it will take them far longer than one hour to get to the tower!

I also suspect the visit to the dress shop might have been put on the back burner, but then I am not a fashion fetishist, so perhaps it's not for me to judge! La Place de la Concorde definitely beats the dress shop in my book, but it's one more delay.

I like that the itinerary actually makes sense - they're heading west along the Seine pretty much - rather than being an insane random walk. It really doesn't matter that much in a children's book like this but it does satisfy my anal instinct for verisimilitude. There! I knew I'd get a chance to work that word into a review sooner or later! Next up, rectitudinous. If that's even a word!

Yes, all exactitude is lost, in a rectitudinous manner, when the next stop comes up, since they've evidently taken a river boat to the Notre Dame which is pretty much returning them the entire distance back east which they've just traveled west! Our Lady is gorgeous though, so maybe it was worth the effort.

What is without-a-doubt worth the effort in this story is Renee Andriani's art work. I don't think I've seen anything by him before, and while the work is merely functional in some parts of the story, there are illustrations in this, particularly vis-à-vis the river boat trip, which are, mes amis, très belle. You can see a sample on my blog. The colors are quite breath-taking. I recommend this hop across the pond.

Oooh, the marvellous distractions of Paris! The yummy cakes, the gorgeous fashions, the perfect galleries....and we mustn't forget the Eiffel Tower, of course!

What a busy day Grandma and her Granddaughter have when they set off on a trip to see this famous landmark. But there are soooo many other things to see and do on the way. Surely it will be impossible to fit them all in!

With it's wonderful illustrations and charming rhyme (in English mostly and the occasional French word carefully woven into the story), it was a delight to follow their daytrip and all the places they came to visit along the way.

This is a lovely an easy introduction to another language for children. And, it has a glossary included to help with this fun frolic through the streets of 'Paree'.

A very enjoyable read that teaches a new skill, without losing any of the fun along the way.

This was such a cute book! My husband and I love to travel. Sometimes we go places as a couple and leave the kids behind, but they are always on our minds. Since we also both love to read, if we go somewhere without them we get them a book about the area we were in. After we started that tradition, the kids also have a serious case of wanderlust and a fascination with geography, so sometimes we buy books about different places just for fun. One of my favorite places I have ever been is Paris and I love this little book. It is a great way to introduce children to the French language and to some of the historical and popular parts of Paris. It is cute and easy to read and the pictures are adorable. I know my little ones would pick this book to read often. I absolutely recommend Paris Hop! to parents of pre-school or young elementary aged children. Paris Hop! will broaden your children's horizons and open up a passion for other places and cultures. Links

Lots of fun - great for use with French language classes for map activities, etc.

This is a fun little book following a girl and her grandma on a day's touring in Paris. It starts with them already in Paris and as you read through and see the illustrations, it really gives you the atmosphere of walking through Paris: the bakeries, the street artists, the parks, the streets, the fountains, the people, the Seine, the Louvre, Notre Dame and of course the Eiffel Tower.

* About the writing: It's written in a fun rhyming text that has a good rhythm. At times rhyming took precedent over the clarity of the text, but I didn't mind that too much and I don't think it would matter to children who would enjoy the rhythm and rhymes. The text also includes a few French words which provides a fun way to teach children a little bit of the language (and also contributes to the French atmosphere of the book). A little dictionary is provided to explain what all the French words in the book mean.
The story ends with "Bonne nuit Paree, Good night" so I think this would make a good bedtime book.

* About the artwork: Really lovely artwork by the talented Renee Andriani. It really captures the spirit of Paris well and almost makes you feel like you're there as you read. The style of drawing of the people is really cute and there are plenty of bright vibrant colours and a few particularly beautiful scenes like a picture of the Seine river at sunset with the majestic Notre Dame and pink tree blossoms; or the picture of the Eiffel Tower at twilight. Gorgeous. Makes you want to visit Paris!

A wonderful introduction of Paris, France, and the French language to children. A lot of information and illustrations provided. Introductions to simple french phrases and their english translations help begin the bilingual lifestyle for children. I can't wait to read to all of my nieces and nephews and help jumpstart their education in a fantastic, fun, and exciting way.

This fun book is about a grandmother and granddaughter who travel to Paris. This story takes you on their journey. You get to see the French culture and popular tourist sites. This book includes French words, so it is educational in that way as well. The illustrations are bright and cheerful.

This book is like Madeline meets Flat Stanley. As a family in love with foreign languages, especially French, I adore this book. I love that they are all over the place seeing as much possible, it is kind of the way I am when I go places, I never seem to have enough time! I think this would be a great introduction to a foreign city and a few foreign words.

A sweet story for children interested in Paris or travel. The illustrations of Parisian tourist highlights are darling, and the rhyming story is sweet. The font was distracting to me.

Grandmother and grand daughter have just one day to see Paris. The goal is to make it to the Eiffel Tower before sundown, but with so many sights to see, can they squeeze it all in? Paris Hop by Margie Blumberg is full of rich illustrations as well as a glossary of the numerous French words peppered throughout the book (including the correct pronunciations). The entire story is written in rhyme - a little off meter but still charming. The activities are perfect for the two generations including having their "portrait" painted by street artists and enjoying a view of the Notre Dame Cathedral while on a boat ride down the Seine. Must "to do's" include a visit to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and a stop at a boulangerie to grab a baguette for breakfast. Trying on gowns at a boutique and watching an outdoor Punch and Judy puppet show at the park are two other fanciful activities to be enjoyed. When they finally reach the Eiffel Tower, the sun is setting, but the bright lights of Paris become a special bonding memory for grandmother and grandchild to share, rounding out the perfect day.

While Blumberg has written a cute picture book highlighting the sights of Paris, it is the illustrations by Renee Andriani which steal the show. Andriani's phenomenal representations of Paris are finely detailed and almost fool the reader into believing that they have been transported overseas and are touring the city along with the grandma and child. Unfortunately, the illustrations simply overwhelm the text, making me wish that there was a little more substance to the story. I will be on the outlook for future artistic endeavors by this illustrator. Three stars for the written portion, five stars for the art work, leaving an averaged total of four stars.

A thank you to Netgalley and MB Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Paris Hop! is like a double-dream-come-true for a child (or anybody else for that matter), 'cos this is the story of a little girl who goes hopping across Paris for a day with her Grandma!
Ah, some people have all the luck!

This rhyming tale features plenty of French words, and also an immensely helpful appendix at the beginning of the book, which not only lists out all the words with their meanings, but also a super easy guide to pronouncing them right.
The book offers gorgeous illustrations and will surely be a delight for children!