Picture books have come a long way! Before interactive eBooks even existed, paper books had already exploded with creativity. Today, there are many ways that your child can interact with picture books. I wanted to introduce you to a few coups de coeur as well as resources I noticed parents particularly love to read with their children.

Sound Books

You already knew about books with CDs. The sound books I refer to here are adorable little board books with in-built chips which, when pressed, will play sounds or songs. These are really wonderful for toddlers to learn the basics, such as the names of animals.

Touch-and-feel Books

Whatever basic you want to cover with your toddler, from playing to baby animals or daily life situations and items, there is a touch-and-feel book for it! Babies and small children just cannot resist these soft and cute books... and neither can I!

Interactive Storytelling Books

Hervé Tullet has created his own unique world of interactive books which invite storytelling in a new way. The books can be shaken, held as glasses to turn the reader into different characters, or create a theater where your finger is the talented actor of a play!

Pop-Up Books

These will be hard to beat for wow factor with children. Some titles can be handled with an adult as early as preschool, but other more delicate options require the ability to take care of a precious item that a child has acquired towards the end of primary school. These items can be a way to learn that skill of taking care of a delicate item. The trailer below shows you one of our favorite and most incredible recent acquisitions.


 

Circuit Books

What we call "livres-circuit" are books that involve following a path in search of an item on the page. These very interactive adventures are great for kids 7 years old and up.

Have fun!!

Marie Lalevée

Library Director

Marie studied Library Sciences in France. She is passionate about sharing her sense of French culture, as well as a love of beauty in all forms!

See All Posts

Related Posts

"La rentrée littéraire", a French Classic

For any Francophone book nerd there is nothing more exciting than la rentrée littéraire in September – except la rentrée littéraire in January. It’s a…

Read More

Thirty thousand books later...

Sonia says "au revoir"! I first started working for the French Library in the early fall of 2021. Covid variants were still very much making…

Read More

The FL staff's favorite Fables de La Fontaine

Last week, the French Library book club met to discuss some of La Fontaine’s famous Fables. This prompted much discussion among staff members about which…

Read More

Upcoming Events

Friday, September 29, 2023 2:00 PM To 3:00 PM

Seeking opportunities to speak French? Join us online for our popular members-only conversation gathering.

Read More
Friday, September 29, 2023 6:30 PM To 8:00 PM

The French Library is pleased to welcome Lebanese author, Joseph Kai for a discussion of his latest book: Restless (English translation of L’Intranquille). We will dive into Joseph’s own story based in Beirut, Lebanon.

Read More
Story Time

L'Heure du Conte

French story time!

Saturday, September 30, 2023 11:30 AM To 12:00 PM

We invite parents and children to gather in the children's room of our library for a magical story time in French!

Read More