Guest Post: The Three Sisters Books Introduce Children to French

Posted by Diane

July 28, 2009

I recently discovered a fun and charming book series that is sure to create a few new Francophiles out there! The Three Sisters series, written by Nancy S. Pruett, Ph.D., will both educate and entertain. Nancy’s daughter, Elizabeth, is one of “the three sisters.” It is my pleasure to welcome her as a guest blogger to tell you more about these delightful books. Take it away, Elizabeth . . .

In The Three Sisters series, the reader is brought along on an adventurous journey and learns many interesting facts about French history, culture, geography, food and language. Foreign language is introduced in a fun manner as the books contain a peppering of French and a “Dictionnaire” to learn and pronounce French words “with care” and the required “Parisian flare.”

The Three Sisters: Elizabeth Goes to Paris follows the exploits of Elizabeth, a true Francophile. The adventure begins when she goes to Paris to meet her aunt who is the American Ambassador to France. For better or for worse, her aunt is otherwise busy, which leaves Elizabeth under the care of her aunt’s ever-snappy staff. The staff consists of Doodle (short for “Yankee Doodle,” the French-American standard poodle), Madame de Sigy (the trusted bespectacled housekeeper) and Monsieur Duquette (the responsible chauffer/guide/friend). One day, Doodle runs away, and Elizabeth must follow the rhinestones from his broken leash to find him. Elizabeth follows “The Sparkling Trail” amidst famous monuments, parks, gardens and even the Louvre.

In The Three Sisters: Katherine Has a Ball, the eldest sister Elizabeth is joined by her middle-sister Katherine, a “soccer star,” to visit Paris as France wins the soccer World Cup. While staying with their aunt, who is the American Ambassador to France, they experience incredible escapades in Paris. They venture through the grand city while chasing a rolling soccer ball. They follow “The Soccer Trail” amidst famous monuments, parks and gardens in their effort to find their ball.

In The Three Sisters: Charlotte’s Christmas Château, Charlotte, the youngest sister, goes to France with her sisters to meet her aunt who is the American Ambassador to France. Their aunt is once again absent, so the girls go to a grand party at the Palace of Versailles for Christmas where there are festivities and food galore. While touring the splendid gardens, they lose a special and beloved Christmas decoration – the Golden Bell. They must find it in order to celebrate Christmas and decorate the Christmas tree. Join the Three Sisters as they follow “The Golden Bell Trail” amidst the famous monuments and gardens of Versailles in their efforts to find it.

Nancy S. Pruett, Ph.D. fell in love with France and all things French during her first trip to Paris as a young teenager. Born and raised in the United States, she has lived in Paris twice and has traveled extensively throughout France over the past two decades. Outside of Paris, her favorite regions are Provence and the Dordogne. Dr. Pruett loves French food, especially foie gras, pungent cheese and escargot. Professionally, Dr. Pruett earned her B.A. in Psychology at Trinity College in Hartford, CT where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and earned the Presidential Fellowship in both General Academics and Psychology. She received her doctoral degree from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, IL where she was a Northwestern University Scholar. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA where she held a position as Associate Psychologist in Clinical Psychiatry at Harvard University Medical School. There, she was awarded the Harvard University Medical School Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Dr. Pruett has had private practices in Paris and the United States. She is currently in a practice where she primarily conducts neuropsychological evaluations. Although she has published in refereed professional journals, this is her first attempt at fiction and indulging in her nearly lifelong Francophilia. Dr. Pruett wrote these books for three daughters, Elizabeth, who was born in France, Katherine, and Charlotte. She also has a standard poodle named Louis whom her daughters have nicknamed Louis Vuitton. Vive la France!

Merci, Elizabeth! To learn more or to order your copy of The Three Sisters, visit the author’s web site or Amazon.com

Children's Books, Foreign Language Fun, French

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