Un Deux Trois: First French Rhymes

This is a selection of traditional children’s songs and rhymes from France with a CD in a pocket at the back. It includes dipping and counting rhymes, singing games (on the lines of ‘Oranges and lemons’), tickling rhymes, riddles and sayings. There are some brief but very good notes on each rhyme at the back of the book, highlighting a few ‘useful phrases’ and giving background information and/or a simple description of the games involved. In some cases the notes are just a translation of the rhyme as appropriate. I like the format of the book and the way the accompanying CD is produced – a number of different voices, children and adults, singing or saying each item at an ‘authentic’ sounding pace rather than being slowed down to a rate that sounds unnatural. As such, it makes for a useful resource for anyone teaching their children French. A large format book or posters and friezes might make it more accessible for use with larger groups of children.