Crepes by Suzette
Written and illustrated by Monica Wellington
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
In this picture book, readers are taken on a whirl-wind journey through the streets of Paris, France, as they accompany Suzette. Suzette sells all different kinds of crepes from her little cart. We first go to the market with Suzette where she buys the fruit for her crepes. We then travel with her to the Luxembourg Gardens, along the River Seine, to the Louvre Museum, the Tuileries Gardens, the Opera, and the Eiffel Tower as she sells her crepes. This book has so many layers that it takes more than a quick reading to appreciate them all. First, the pictures in this book are mixed-media collages that consist of actual photographs, memorabilia including stamps and maps, as well as illustrations. The kids really enjoyed looking at the pictures and all that was going on. There’s a French phrase on each page with a glossary at the end that tells what the words and phrases mean. While my high school French finally came in useful, the book unfortunately does not provide a pronunciation guide for those unfamiliar with the language. The scenes in all the pictures of this book are based on real places in Paris, which are noted in the back of the book. The illustrations of Suzette’s customers are all based on figures from famous paintings and sculptures by French artists and artists who lived and worked in France. These include Vincent van Gogh’s “The Postman” Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” as well as Pablo Picasso’s “Three Musicians” among many. A recipe for crepes is also included if you are interested in trying out these delicious treats! The author was clever with the title of her book, naming the main character Suzette, one would assume after the famous French dessert Crepes Suzette. This book really takes the reader on a cultural tour of Paris in a fun and engaging way. The whole family read this book together and really enjoyed it.
*This book was borrowed from the library.
Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link.