Alysha Allen 

Learn French with the animals in Strike at Charles' Farm (Grève à la ferme de Charles) by esteemed Quebec children's author, Dr. Nicole Audet, and striking visuals by Mylène Villeneuve. Intent on having easier working and living conditions, the animals protest with a strike until their demands are met, namely to barely work at all and to play more. But, before any resolution can be achieved to the satisfaction of everyone, the animals and the farmer must learn to compromise for the happiness of all involved. For children interested in developing their French reading skills or parents desirous of their children to acquire the rudiments of a new language, Strike at Charles' Farm is the perfect starter.

The French text precedes the English translation, so that children may actively test their knowledge of words before reading the English equivalent afterwards. As I read through the book, I myself attempted to translate French expressions as well as pronounce them accurately. Indeed, parents who are familiar with the French language can instruct their children as to correct pronunciations as they read. On that note, it would be beneficial if a pronunciation guide and a dictionary of important words were included for those not as well versed in reading and speaking French. Such a guide would be greatly informative for a child, teen, or adult's language acquisition. Furthermore, a questionnaire at the end of the book in English and French tests engagement while teaching even more French words, a boon to the intellectually curious. Overall, Audet's lively writing paired with the playful and humorous, vibrantly colored illustrations by Villeneuve will surely put a smile on any reader's face.