From the L’Alliance Library: The 5 Best Books for Learning French

Whether you’re new to studying en français or you’re looking for more hands-on practice, the library at L’Alliance New York has an expansive collection comprised of carefully-curated books for readers of every age and learning level. In fact, the John and Francine Haskell Library earns the distinction of being one of the largest private French libraries in the country—you’ll find 25,000 books, 100 newspapers and magazines, research resources for students and teachers, 1,500 DVDs, and more within its stacks. The location also houses a study center and holds storytime events for families and toddlers.

With so many incredible options to choose from, we understand it’s easy to get a bit overwhelmed—which is why L’Aliance’s friendly library team is always on hand to help guide you. Better yet, you can leave comments on what you’ve read in L’Alliance’s online catalog—just click “reader reviews” and “add review” under any record. Not only will you help others find their next favorite book, but scrolling feedback is another great way to discover new reads. To get you started, L’Alliance’s librarians hand-picked these five titles, which are among their most popular books for learning French.

1. The T’choupi Series by Thierry Courtin This picture book series featuring lovable penguin-like character T’choupi has maintained its popularity since the 1990s, selling millions of copies and inspiring an animated series and feature film. Through the select titles in L’Alliance’s collection, children and parents are prompted with their own line readings to learn about vocabulary, emotions, animals, professions, nature, food, and more.
2. The Learn to Read with Sami and Julie Series This collection is perfect for children who are beginning to read independently. Each story contains thought provoking-questions about preparation, problem-solving, communication, friendship, and acceptance, and features a set of comprehension-strengthening questions at the end.
3. Around the World in 24 Markets written by Maria Bakhareva and illustrated by Anna Desnitskaya Library Services Manager Ronda Murdock says of her selection, “I like this non-fiction book, filled with enriched vocabulary based on several markets around the world. We discover twelve countries, their culinary traditions and customs, as well as their currency and languages. The magnificent illustrations allow the reader to interact with the book through seek-and-find activities. With each turn of the page, the reader discovers a new, vibrantly colored market.”
4. The Little Nicolas Series written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé These are classic books for learning French for all ages—funny and moving, they’ve delighted readers of all levels since their initial publication in the late 1950s. Told through the voice of sensitive, quiet eight-year-old Nicolas, the reader experiences all the confounding questions of adulthood through his wholesome eyes.
5. The Practice Makes Perfect Series Aimed at adult learners, these books help tackle any angle of French language-learning you’d like to dive deeper into—from pronouns to prepositions to verbs, and more. It offers clear explanations on all aspects of French, making it a favorite of L’Alliance New York students.

You’re now one step closer to finding more books for learning French to add to your reading list! Library borrowing and Culturethèque Digital Library archive access is open to all L’Alliance members—learn more and sign up for an account here, or email library@lallianceny.org with any questions.