Again, the author uses a clever way to introduce a language (this time French) to children and parents as well. The use of English and French in the story, makes it easier for the reader to understand the story, and to learn the vocabulary. I especially love the use of soft colors and beautiful drawings. I wish I had this book when my children were little, now I recommend books like this one to parents wishing to raise their children's awareness of the many languages and cultures in the world, a must today. I also loved the inclusion of cultural notes about France and French culture, as well as the audio resource available on the polyglottkids.com page. As a bilingual librarian, I highly recommend this book. It is wonderful, let's see what other wonderful book she will do next. I can't wait. Both, this book, and her previous one in Spanish as gifts, and I have added them to the children's library collection, I am delighted to write this review because language learning is a must in today's world, and very important to me.

M.F. Librarian, Amazon

Bonjour!—Judy Martialay 
Review by Virginia B. Levine, Ph.D. 
SUNY Cortland 

Judy Martialay has done it again!  Through the clever framework of an uncomplicated story line, in this case an airplane flight to France, the author/illustrator introduces the readers—children, parents and grandparents alike—to the world of early language learning. 
As a former professor of World Languages, I was quite naturally interested in reading Judy’s latest accomplishment for myself.  Judy graciously sent me a complimentary copy, and after reading it, I offered to submit a review of Bonjour!. 
This book provides far more than an engaging story line for 6-10 year-olds. It is a virtual toolkit for second language acquisition that can be used effectively by all readers and learners.  The juxtaposition of English and French within a straightforward storyline provides an unfettered ease of context as the reader learns to equate vocabulary in both languages.  The audio portion of Bonjour!, (available at: http://polyglotkidz.com), ensures accuracy of pronunciation, and the practice activities reinforce the vocabulary presented.  Cultural nuggets about Francophone countries, French foods, flag, kings, queens and everyday life serve to open the eyes and minds of young learners to another culture.  Judy has even thought to include a brief script to enable student readers to interact using newly acquired French vocabulary.  Colorful illustrations, drawn by Judy, are beautifully executed and represent the Impressionist art exercise perfectly. 
Bonjour! is sure to appeal to the curiosity of those young and old.  Deceptively simple in tone and presentation, the book draws in its readers, enticing them to learn more about the French language and culture. 
Bravo to Judy Martialay for another job well done.  Along with Pete the Pilot, she has successfully taken her readers on a wonderful early language journey.  Bon Voyage to future readers!

Dick Leonardo for Bookroom reviews 11/13/17 Here is something different. Have you ever thought about your child learning a foreign language? If so I have a nice book here for you. Judy Martialay makes learning a new language fun with an easy to read story. Travel to France with Pete the Pilot while learning an assortment of french words. What’s cool is it’s not just new words but little tidbits about the country of France and how they live and a little history. The book is also very nicely filled with colorful Illustrations by the author herself to bring the book to life. I like the little skit written into the book to let the kids practice what they learned. Then there is http://www.polyglotkidz.com/ to visit for the audio. This is great resource not only for the French book but Judy’s other book ¡HOLA! Let’s Learn Spanish

Another fun, educational tool for learning a new language! Judy Martialay makes learning fun with this interactive book. Using food, colors, art, and a story to make learning new words fun and easy for all ages. This book is intended for children ages 6-10 but even adults will find it fun and interesting!

Stephanie Curtnew, Adventuresthrulearning

Bonjour! Let's Learn French, by Judy Martilay, is a children's book that introduced the French language. It includes a story about going to the beach, a list of various illustrated French words, expressions, French Culture, and art.   I found the book to be engaging, colorful and fun. The words speak to the children of elementary age, and help to take away the strangeness of a different language. The art is engaging, drawing interest of new learners, and will help them to associate the pictures with the words. However it is more than just a story about going to the beach. Think of it as a workbook that a young reader can take in bits and pieces. Most likely it will take a bit of practice to learn the words and pronounce them.   Inside the book you will find a link to where you can download the full story on your computer and listen while you read the book. The music in the background makes it sound colorful. A reader (the author) talks through the story in English, while a different reader pronounces the French words. The only thing I found lacking in the book was a proper pronunciation you would typically find in parentheses after each word. This would allow the reader to work on the vocabulary without always needing a device to listen to a device. But overall, Bonjour! Let's Learn French is a charming and fun way for children to be introduced to the French language. Recommended for children ages 6-12.

Bruce Arrington, Goodreads

This forty-page paperback targets children ages six to twelve years old and their parents who want to learn French. With no scary scenes, the book contains some complicated wording for beginner readers. Colorful, simplistic illustrations and photographs are on most pages. A website with a downloadable audio for correct word pronunciation is available. 
This book teaching about France and its culture, people, and language provides a story as well as educational tools. When Pete the Pilot flies the readers to the country, they are introduced to two children making a sand castle at the beach. At night, a snail named Louis resides as king of the sand castle until dogs run by, accidentally destroying it. The next day, the children rebuild the castle for their king snail. 
Other chapters offer conversational French, the culture of France, learning to paint an impressionist painting, and a compilation of the words and phrases used throughout the book. There is an acknowledgment page at the ending. 
~ Why ~I like that this book promotes learning through a story, following it up with reiteration, repetitiveness, and practice. Having all French words in a bold font makes them easy to locate. One of the best features of this is that one can go online and download the audible book, so proper pronunciation is used when reading the French words out loud. 
~ Why Not ~Due to the long paragraphs on the pages, it would best be read to some children as it may frustrate some. Beginner readers may struggle with some of the three-syllable words. Some may find the book either too hard or simple to understand regarding French words, but it would be enjoyed greatly by those trying to learn a new language. 
~ Wish ~While the ending pages have all French words used with the French word first, having an English index alphabetically at the back might be helpful for those who need to look up a word quickly. 
~ Want ~If you are looking for a beginner book on learning French from an English perspective, this may be the ticket, especially if you use it with the audio version. 
Thanks to the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review. 
This product can be purchased at http://www.polyglotkidz.com

Connie Withay, Connie Withay Blog

uthor publishes second bilingual children’s book 
Author Judy Martialay 
Local children’s author and linguist Judy Martialay recently published her second book, presenting a new opportunity to teach children to become bilingual. Her latest book, Bonjour! Let’s Learn French, is a follow-up to the award-winning ¡HOLA! Let’s Learn Spanish, and gives children ages 6 to 10 a fun way to learn basic French words and phrases at home. 
“More parents are realizing that an early start to learning a foreign language has great advantages,” said Martialay, a resident of Sea Cliff. “But, only 25 percent of elementary schools, public or private, offer any kind of foreign language instruction.” 
And, she added, when budgets are cut, “foreign languages are always the first thing to go.” 
A retired foreign language teacher from the Bethpage School District, where she taught for more than 30 years, Martialay has been using her skills to inspire students for decades and has devoted many years to public advocacy for the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers. 
Martialay has written drafts for five books in the series, which began with her two strongest foreign languages, Spanish and French. Each book takes about two years to produce, since they include Martialay’s illustrations, recipes, activities and a downloadable audio component. She has drafts of books for learning Italian, Arabic and Chinese that she hopes to “dust off and update” but for now is happy to promote the finished products. 
“Children love a story,” said Martialay. “The book captivates kids with an entertaining story that teaches French and introduces them to the culture of France. There is a variety of activities that encourages them to use the French that they learned, including a skit, Culture Corner and a song.” 
She said the book is written in a way that makes it easy for anyone interested in learning French, for both the children as well as the parents, grandparents or other care givers reading to them. 
“I want [readers] to have a pleasant experience and get a taste for the language so that they want to continue learning,” said Martialay, who said she believes language learning in this country has “gone backwards” since she was a child. 
“It’s just not a priority in this country,” she said, noting that only 16 states require high school students to study a foreign language, and many only have a two-year minimum requirement. 
“Two years is not long enough to produce marketable skills,” said Martialay. “When kids learn early, they truly have a chance to become proficient.” 
She believes that part of the problem could be the false perception that the rest of the world speaks English; however, she said, while millions around the world may be learning English, as much as 75 percent of the world does not speak or understand English proficiently. And she stresses that going beyond basic phrases and reaching proficiency has important benefits, including getting to know someone from another country. 
“It’s very rewarding to form a personal relationship with someone—you can’t do that through an interpreter,” she said. “Having a personal bond is the basis of a good business relationship, plus when you learn a language, you learn about the customs and culture of that country.” 
Down the line, she said, having proficiency in a second language can put a candidate ahead in a job, as it is one of the top eight qualities employers look for upon hiring. And, starting young is also important. 
“Children up to age 12 have the capacity to acquire native pronunciation of words,” said Martialay. “And when we learn other languages, our English improves and we become smarter, with increased concentration and enhanced problem-solving skills. Also, it helps to stave off dementia by five years because the executive function [of the brain] gets a workout.” 
Martialay noted that when parents show an interest in what their children are studying, it can further enhance their learning. The book comes with downloadable activity sheets, recipes and a craft, in order to help create a deeper connection to the language. 
Bonjour! Let’s Learn French is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble for $16.99. Visit www.polyglotkidz.com to download the audio version.

Jill Nassa, Glen Cove Record Pilot

When I was a Latin student in high school, my teacher had a favorite coffee mug with the slogan, "Monolingualism can be cured" on the side. It always made me laugh, the idea that only being able to speak one language was some sort of illness that could be cured. But the idea is true, especially with tools like Martialay's book. Written for elementary school students, the book takes readers on an imaginary trip to France. The characters Pete the Pilot and Louis l'escargot help bring the story to life and make the learning fun. Each section of the book has a different focus, with phrases that fit the situation provided. Helpful words to introduce oneself and meet new people are followed by words one might use on a trip to one of France's lovely beaches. After the story are lists of colors, days of the week, and people and things.To help practice, there is a play that young readers can perform. Instructions for using pastels to create an impressionistic picture, the music and lyrics to the song "Ah! Mon beau chateau!" and even a "Coin de culture" with details of French culture all work to present words and phrases in ways that capture the imagination and give them a context. At the back is a list of all the words, organized in order of their appearance in the book. There is also extended support from the website, http://www.polyglotkidz.com, which offers an audio version of the book, advice for parents, articles on learning foreign languages, activity sheets, recipes, a video to go with the art activity, and a game.Whether you are a parent hoping to broaden your child's linguistic skills, or a teacher studying other cultures with your class - you will find Bonjour! Let's Learn French (and it's companion book, Hola! Let's Learn Spanish) a painless way to begin your journey. I received a copy of the book from the author for review purposes.

Suzanne Costner, The Fairview Review Writer

I greatly appreciate this French language learning book for children. French words are intricately woven into the charming stories in a way that gives children comprehensible bits of new language. There are engaging and relevant questions, activities, and exercises included throughout the book to help children practice their new French words and phrases in interesting ways. In addition, there are rich and interesting cultural points about geography and food in France which children will be intrigued by. Moreover, the colorful paintings, photos, and images provide a very attractive visual stimulation for the child or adult alike, and they are wisely placed throughout the book. This book leaves you wanting yet another story with more images, language, and cultural points!

Jessica Nkouaga, Amazon