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Who Says Poo
Who Says Poo is a delightful and hilarious story that’s sure to capture the attention of younger readers. Adam Gaudreault brings a truly original narrative that plays on words from different languages, each sounding like “poo,” but with entirely distinct meanings. On each page, Gaudreault introduces these words, guiding readers through their pronunciation and then cleverly incorporating them into simple sentences. Through this engaging approach, the story of Sally—a cheerful girl searching for her doll before heading outside to play with her dog—unfolds, while introducing children to new languages and cultures in a fun and approachable way.
What makes Who Says Poo stand out is its inventive combination of humor and learning. I particularly admire how Gaudreault seamlessly weaves foreign words from places like Greece, Japan, and France into the narrative, making them feel familiar and accessible. This clever strategy not only sparks children’s curiosity about language but also encourages them to think critically, making connections as they follow along. The repetition of new words serves as a gentle memory exercise, while the storyline itself is playful and relatable. Sally’s simple adventures—searching for her doll and playing with her dog—are presented in a humorous, light-hearted way that resonates with young readers.
The book’s format is another highlight. Each new word is bolded, followed by its pronunciation in parentheses and a brief definition that explains its origin, all wrapped up in a short sentence that moves Sally’s story forward. This layout is both engaging and easy to follow, providing structure while keeping the story lively. Visually, the illustrations are colorful and vibrant, adding to the humor with characters pulling funny faces, especially in the scenes that involve mentions of farts and poop. Though these topics can be tricky to handle, they’re presented in a way that’s playful and child-appropriate, sparking laughter rather than discomfort. The only minor downside is the use of white backgrounds on the text pages. While there are small illustrative details scattered throughout, colored backgrounds could have made the pages more visually dynamic. That said, the overall design is still very appealing, especially with the foreign words written in their original alphabets, giving young readers a glimpse of different scripts and writing systems.
In the end, Who Says Poo offers more than just entertainment. It’s a short, simple story packed with value, introducing children to new languages, promoting critical thinking, and making the learning process enjoyable. For parents and educators alike, this book is a charming and effective tool to engage young readers while teaching them something new.
Pages: 35 | ASIN : B0DCQ5MR7W
Igniting a Love for Languages
Nuestra Hermosa Familia follows two siblings who take readers on a bilingual adventure to meet their family and celebrate diversity. What was the inspiration for your story?
Several things that I’m passionate about inspired this story: my family, my love of the Spanish language and my love of reading, teaching and learning. I firmly believe that in today’s world, being multilingual is a big advantage if not a necessity and according to experts the best time to introduce a foreign language is when a child is between three and seven years old. Being trilingual has enriched my life; it has expanded the conversations I can have, the people I can interact with, the places I can navigate; it has allowed me to gain an understanding of other cultures in a way only understanding the language can. My hope with Nuestra Hermosa Familia (and others to come) is to ignite a love for languages, culture and learning in young people.
The art in this book is fantastic. What was the art collaboration process like with illustrator Medie Big?
The collaboration with Medie Big was an amazing experience. I start by creating a dummy book complete with character profiles, indicating who’s on which page, what they are saying and what the scenes look like in my head. From these Medie does their magic, they are genius at turning my stick people and mishmash ideas into something special. They begin with several initial sketches to ensure we’re on the same page, once we agree on a direction, all the sketches are created and approved before Medie does the colouring. The whole process is very collaborative, Medie is a very talented artist who is also great at receiving and acting on feedback and delivering for her clients, wait till you see what she’s done for my new book!
What were some educational aspects that were important for you to include in this children’s book?
This book was written around one of the units in the English KS1 & 2 Spanish national curriculum – (for children aged 4+ to 7 years old). I learnt (and continue to learn) Spanish as an adult. Drawing from this experience and from my experience as a teacher, I didn’t want my readers to simply have a compilation of pictures and words; I wanted them to understand and be able to use these words in context. There’s a lot of subtle repetition, keywords are used in sentences and then highlighted within the sentences, the illustrations really help bring it all to life. I have also created a several resources, including a read along video, flashcards and worksheets to complement the book. These are all available for free on my website: www.missjoseph.com
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes, Nuestra Hermosa Familia is the first of twenty planned books. My next book, Pelotas Deportivas, is all about sports and colours and it’s fab. Look out for it from July 2024. In this next book, you can expect more fun adventures with Juan and Maria as they explore the world of sports and learn about different colours in both English and Spanish. And of course beautiful illustrations from Medie!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Pinterest
‘Nuestra Hermosa Familia – Our Beautiful Family’ is a charming picture book that celebrates language diversity and the special bond of family.
This bilingual book features:
✓ Full sentences in context – not just a list of words,
✓ Engaging storytelling, and
✓ Lovely, vibrant pictures that capture the love and happiness of a family.
Open the door to a bilingual journey that fosters language proficiency and offers the priceless advantages of bilingualism such as cognitive growth, better academic performance, and Cultural awareness.
Buy ‘Nuestra Hermosa Familia – Our Beautiful Family’ today and give your child the gift of a brighter future!
Nuestra Hermosa Familia
Nuestra Hermosa Familia, by Miss Ayoku Joseph, is a bilingual picture book that deftly interweaves Spanish and English, presenting a valuable tool for young readers embarking on language acquisition. The book celebrates family ties through engaging storytelling and vivid illustrations. It distinguishes itself with an interactive method of introducing family member names in both languages, providing an enriching experience for young learners.
Readers meet Mary and her relatives, ranging from her brother to her grandparents, with names presented in both English and Spanish. This approach not only expands the vocabulary of young readers but also enhances their appreciation of diverse family dynamics. The artwork in Nuestra Hermosa Familia merits particular attention for its warmth and charm, capturing the essence of familial joy and intergenerational bonds. The combination of expressive illustrations and bilingual narrative makes this book an excellent selection for bedtime reading, educational activities in classrooms, and engaging family reading sessions. It also serves as an effective educational resource, fostering cognitive development within a multicultural framework.
For parents and educators looking to bolster a child’s linguistic abilities and expose them to cultural diversity, Nuestra Hermosa Familia offers a delightful and instructive addition to any young reader’s collection.
Pages: 26 | ASIN : B0CQGWXXNS
LITERARY TITAN 