Monday, December 15, 2014

News from the Bonjour Mama Bookstore

December 14, 2014

Joyeuses Fêtes, Friends of Bonjour Mama!

Things are very festive inside Bonjour Mama and the Kensington Row Bookshop --come in and join the fête!

Whether you are just starting your holiday shopping or putting finishing touches on your wrapping, you are sure to find something très special for the French speakers on your list.  Our shelves are packed with wonderful brand new books, games, gifts, CDs, and more for all ages (we even have Eiffel Tower gift tags!). And we continue to add more unique treasures in our gently used (déjà-lu) section!  Take a look below at some of our new additions and favorites!  And if you're not sure what to give, consider offering a French shopping spree with one of our brand new gift certificates!   Read more.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

News from the Bonjour Mama Bookstore


Bonjour Everyone!  

 
Don't let all those "back to school" signs popping up everywhere fool you.
It's still summer!  For a few more weeks, anyway.  So come in and find lots of great reads --on sale, new or déjà-lu (gently used) --for these heavenly days.

 P.S. Is this balmy weather the new summer in DC? Merci, Mother Nature!

For the little ones / les touts-petits --we have lots of BabarBarbapapa,T'choupi, board books about cars and trucks, and fabulous non-fiction disvovery (art, science, etc.) lift-the flap books in French.  

Families with elementary and middle school-aged children: how is the summer reading going? If you need inspiration, you're not alone! Why not drop by together and have them browse for the perfect book. We have had several elementary and rising middle schoolers this summer who have come to Bonjour Mama and left with a favorite and/or something completely new to try. Whether one of our adventure stories byFrederic Pichon (we have had great feedback so far on these titles!), or the astoundingly popular Tea Stilton: three families with 9-11 year old daughters came in on one day last week and without any prompting made a beeline for Tea!  Also - middle school boys have been buying up Rick Riordan novels, Tolkien and our BDs (graphic novels/comics) like Nate and Asterix.

Grown-up French speakers and Francophiles: we've got many more choices for you in the Déja-lu (gently used) section, and more brand new titles on the way by popular writers like Marc Levy, Katherine Pancol, and more. For language learners and those of us who want to read without a dictionary in tow, try one of our novels in français facile, or a classic: many authors, such as Maupassant and Camus are very accessible.  Just starting out learning French?  We have lots of language-learning products, including puzzles, in addition to complete CD-based learning systems. And don't forget that children's books are a fantastic language-learning resource for adults, too!

Lastly, also don't miss our second fun French storytime with Madame Jackie on Saturday, August 16th at 11am. Ages 3-8.  FREE. RSVP is appreciated.

Have a wonderful rest of your summer and (when the time comes) very bonne rentrée!


Jennifer
(Bonjour Mama)
 

Summer Reading / Lectures d'été




 

Back-to-School  / La Rentrée

(we're not immune to the back-to-school buzz -- we have several school-themed titles in already and many more on the way!)
    

 

"New" in Déjà-Lu* 

(Gently Used Books / Livres d'Occasion)

Our gently used section continues to grow -- check out the latest treasures waiting for you to discover!  We now have more than 150 gently used children's books for sale, and 75+ for adults.  Here are our picks for this week: 

Mon grand livre des Fées, Thomas Jeunesse, $12 (new price is $24.95+) -- Ages 0-3
La Brouille, l'Ecole des Loisirs, $4.50 (new price is $9.95+) -- AGes 3-8
Babar en Amérique, Hachette Jeunesse, $5.50 (new price is $10.95+) -- Ages 3-8
Moi, Felix 11ans Français de papier, Nathan Jeunesse, $4 (new price is $10.50+) -- Ages 9-12
Tea Stilton - sauvetage des bebes Tortues, Albin Michel Jeunesse, $6.50 (new price is $9.95+) - Ages 9-12

And dozens more for lecteurs of all ages! 

Help us keep growing our gently used section by trading in or selling your French books in great condition to Bonjour Mama!  Please drop off your bag/box of books, clearly labeled with your name and contact info, and we'll get back to you within a few business days with an estimate. If you have more then 30 titles in great condition, we may be able to come to you -- call 240-383-9163 or emailbonjourmamadc@gmail.com and let us know what books you have and whether you prefer store credit or cash (we generally offer more in store credit).
 


Bonjour Mama Events

Saturday 8/16 
11am: French Storytime with Mme Jackie!   RSVP appreciated, not required. Cost: Free

Also, the Kensington Row Bookshop is hosting a new (English-language) weekly Chess Club on Thursdays from 6pm-8pm.  Feel free to stop by and play a game! Ages 10+.

+ More events coming soon! 


Deals! Les bonnes affaires!


Summer Clearance!! We have lots of great books on the way and need your help to clear out our current stock. Look at our new clearance section online -- and many more items at discounts of up to 75% off at our Kensington, MD store.

Everyday deals: Check out our big box full of books outside the store for $2 or less, and another inside with more newly discounted books up to 75% off!  

 

Libros, الكتب, Libri, 书

Did you know Bonjour Mama carries a growing selection of new and used books in Spanish and even other languages?  We currently have several great picture books and chaper books in Spanish (Captain Underpants , Harry Potter...), plus picture dictionaries, in Italian, Arabic and Chinese. Also, the Kensington Row Bookshop has a great selection of gently used adult books in Spanish and Catalan upstairs. Polyglots big and small are welcome!!


English-language Usborne/Kane Miller Books 

Did you know that Bonjour Mama also carries award-winning Usborne English-language children's books? They are available on www.zachsbookstore.com and at local community events. And don't miss the wonderful selection of used English-language books at the Kensington Row Bookshop!

A lively story with irresistible illustrations, this book is a delight to share with very young children. It can also be enjoyed by children who are beginning to read for themselves. The simple rhyming text is a great way to develop essential language and early reading skills, and there are guidance notes for parents at the back of the book.

Usborne Phonics Readers series, $6.99


 
For the latest updates please check Facebook or Twitter

 
Bonjour Mama Bookstore
Location:  3786 Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895 
(Inside the Kensington Row Bookshop)
240-383-9163, bonjourmamadc@gmail.com

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sundays from 12pm-5pm
We are also open until 8pm on Thursdays!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

News from the Bonjour Mama Bookstore




For the latest updates please check www.bonjourmama.comFacebook or Twitter.

Bonjour Everyone and Joyeux Printemps!
There is so much going on at Bonjour Mama it's hard to know where to begin, but here's a start:

We have expanded our store hours to Saturdays from 10-6
and we are now open from 10-6 on weekdays! 
Thanks to our partnership with the Kensington Row Bookshop, you can come in anytime they are open --just bring your books to the front of the store for purchase. Our new, expanded hours are:
Tuesday: 10-6
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-6
Friday: 10-6
Saturday:10-6
Sunday: 12-5 



We have added many more titles in all categories!

We have more audio books, lots more teen fiction, more 9-12 series like Geronimo & Tea Stilton, Nate the Great, classic and contemporary novels in simplified French (Français Facile), non-fiction science & discovery books, lift the flaps, board and toddler books, and more on the way!    Did you come in to the store awhile ago store and not found what you were looking for?  We just may have it now!  Please bear with us as we build our stock. We are listening to everyone's requests -- we just don't have the funds to purchase a large inventory all at once. Feel free to stop by and see us and/or email us at bonjourmamadc@gmail.com to confirm whether we have what you are looking for. And remember, we can specal order almost any title -- just ask!

Our Déjà-Lu (gently used) section is also growing, thanks to those of you who have traded in books for store credit, and several donations as well (merci!).  Just a few adult authors we've added in the past several days: Philippe Labro, Muriel Barbery, Félicien Marceau, Amelie Plume, Hervé Guibert, Hugo, Camus Chateaubriand. And dozens of kids titles: Ma sorciere, mon ange et moi, Jour de Lessive, Le dîner (Ecole des Loisirs); La légende de l'etalon noir, les six compagnons aux cours hippique (Bibliotheque verte) Martine prend le train, le petit monstre du matin; and many more -- all at fantastic gently used prices (most under $5!)!

Please note: we did order in several Asterix and Tintin books and have a few Asterix books left but Tintin sold out AGAIN -- we promise to have more available in the next few weeks!




We are still here (
Evidemment)!  
We committed to staying open through the end of April 2014 after our initial holiday pop-up last December. Now it's the end of April, and we can't possibly stop just yet! despite the fact that we are still very much a fledgling start-up the feedback from our wonderful community fo French speakers and Francophiles (Merci!), has just been too positive to call it quits.

That said, we need to do MUCH better.  Does your school or other organization you belong to know about us? If not, please tell them!  We are working with lots of partners to spread the word, but there is nothing like hearing about something great from your friend, colleague or neighbor. Please continue to spread the word (and if you haven't already, please don't forget to like us on Facebook and/or follow us on Twitter!).  Merci beaucoup!   

We are also working on a program of business sponsorships! If you are a business owner or are affiliated with or an organization that may be interested in sponsoring/advertising at a local, mom-owned, independent bookstore with a hyper-targeted audience of French, language and book lovers please get in touch at bonjourmamadc@gmail.com or 240-383-9163 to discuss opportunities.

Répondez, S'il Vous Plaît! 
Last but not least, please give us your feedback!  What are we are doing right (and you'd like to see more of!?)  Do you have constructive criticism for us but prefer to give it anonymously?  We have created a beta account with "Suggestion Ox" -- a completely anonymous way for you to give us feedback - so please feel free to share any ideas you have for what you would like Bonjour Mama to be doing, or doing better.

Merci beaucoup!   

À bientôt!

Jennifer
Owner, Bonjour Mama


In-Store Events

We are doing regular informal French playdates (reading stories, playing games, encouraging general fun en français) for ages 2-5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am, and on Sundays at 3pm.  Also, we're doing "Fun French Fridays" (games, music, etc. for Ages 5+ ) after school at 4pm on Fridays. We continue to plan official storytimes whenever possible, and are planning more programs soon, including a book club for indpendent readers ages 7-10. Please email bonjourmamadc@gmail.com if you are interested in the book club!  

For the latest updates please check www.bonjourmama.com.
Thursday, 4/24
11am: French-language playdate for ages 2-5: play, read, speak in French! Nothing formal, just fun en français.

Friday, 4/25: 
4:15-5:30pm: Fun French Friday for ages 5+. After school, come to the store for games, music, fun. Nothing formal, just fun en français.

Sunday, 4/27:
11-4pm: Come see Bonjour Mama at the Kensington Book Festival!  (see below for details)

Tuesday, 4/29
11am:  French-language playdate for ages 2-5: play, read, speak in French! Nothing formal, just fun en français.

Thursday, 5/1
11am: French-language playdate for ages 2-5: play, read, speak in French! Nothing formal, just fun en français.

Friday, 5/2
4:15-5:30pm: Fun French Friday for ages 5+. After school, come to the store for games, music, fun. Nothing formal, just fun en français.

Sunday, 5/4
3pm: French-language playdate for ages 2-5: play, read, speak in French! Nothing formal, just fun en français.

Check www.bonjourmama.com for additional events in May!

Do you love to read to children? We welcome storytellers in the store anytime! Bring your own book, or choose anything in the store to read. If you don't mind us announcing it ahead of time and drumming up a captive audience, please contact us at bonjourmamadc@gmail to confirm a date and time. Merci!

 

Kensington Book Festival

Sunday, 4/27 from 11am-4pm!

Now in its ninth year, the Day of the Book has grown to be "one of the top literary festivals in the Washington DC area" (Washington Post), with over 100 participants and an expected 5,000-6,000 visitors. The event is geared toward book lovers of all ages and is organized as a street festival with author tables, poetry and author readings, artist displays, children's activities, food, music, and more.    Here a are a few highlights; see the full program of events here.


French musical children's entertainer, Beatrice Winter!
12:30 - 1:00 | Location: Children's Stage
MusicalFrench is a fun, interactive, and musical French-learning time for young children. Come watch Madame Beatrice tell silly stories, sing songs and play games... in French! Because using music as a stimulus makes information easier to remember, reduces stress, increases interest, and sets the stage for learning... because learning a new language is child's play, child's song...let's celebrate the French language and Music together.
For more information: MusicalFrench@Gmail.com  

Meet local French author Bernadette Brodsky, author of "Ici et Ailleurs -Parisienne dans le Maryland".  Buy a copy of her book at her table or chez Bonjour Mama, and ask Bernadette to sign it for you toute de suite! Here is the book's description:

Jeune, on rêve de voyager mais on pense généralement revenir au pays de ses racines. Qu'arrive-t-il lorsque tout change et que l'on s'installe sur un autre continent ? Comment s'adapter dans le pays d'accueil sans oublier pour autant le pays natal ? Ses fréquents séjours en Provence, à Paris, sa vie aux Etats-Unis, près du Potomac, ont inspiré ce récit à l'auteur.   

Visit the Bonjour Mama table!  
We will have lots of new and used books in French for all ages for sale on Howard avenue both at our booth and inside the store. You can find us in the children's section at the corner of Fawcett St. and Howard Ave from 11am-4pm.  
Also -- Usborne Books will be right next to us!


Other Festival Highlights:

The Great Zucchini
11:30 - 12:30 | Location: Children's Stage
The Great Zucchini has been Washington DC's #1 children's entertainer for over 15 years. He has performed at the White House, Vice President's House, 11 embassies, and is the only children's entertainer to grace the stage of The World Famous DC Improv. The wonder of magic, silliness of comedy, and interactive nature of The Great Zucchini's show keeps children on the edge of their seats. Come watch this staple of the DC metropolitan area!
www.thegreatzucchini.com

For the Irish Program, The Limerick Pub presents...

Alice McDermott 
12:30-12:45 | Location: Howard Ave. at Armory Ave.
Alice McDermott was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in the suburban community of Elmont, Long Island, New York. Her first novel was 1983's A Bigamist's Daughter, followed by 1987's That Night, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, the PEN Faulkner Award and the Pulitzer Prize. 1992's At Weddings and Wakes was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize as well as her first novel to be a New York Times bestseller. That was followed by 1998's Charming Billy, which won the National Book Award for fiction. After This (2006) was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Her most recent work, Someone, was a finalist for the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Ms. McDermott has written for The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Washington Post. Her articles range from personal essays to book reviews. She is now the Richard A. Macksey Professor of Humanities at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and in the past she has taught at University of California San Diego, American University, Lynchburg (VA) College and Hollins College in Virginia. She has three children and lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband.

Scavenger Hunt for Kids of All Ages 
Time/Location: All day on Howard Ave; Pick up bags and info at the Welcome Table.
Follow a list of clues to the final and win a prize!

Kid Storytellers
1:00 - 2:00 | Location: Children's Stage
The Twinbrook Tellers are from Storytellers' Club which meets monthly during the school year at Twinbrook Library in Rockville, MD. At Storytellers' Club, children ages 5-14 are invited to tell stories (only if they want to), listen to stories and play storytelling games. Children who are comfortable telling tales for a more public audience are invited to join the Twinbrook Tellers in performances at area libraries, story swaps, and festivals. Over the past six years they have performed at the Glen Echo Folk Festival, Montgomery County Harvest Festival, Takoma Park MiniFest, and, of course, The Kensington Day of the Book Festival.
More information


 

Usborne/Kane Miller Books (English-language)

Did you know that Bonjour Mama also carries award-winning Usborne English-language children's books? They are available on www.zachsbookstore.com and at local community events. 

This collection of the best-known of the Greek myths has been carefully written to appeal to young children who will find these stories of gods, mortals and monsters irresistible. Beautiful illustrations by Linda Edwards perfectly capture each story and will bring the myths to life for children of all ages. The stories have been specially written for reading aloud and there is also a pronunciation guide at the back of the book which will help with the pronunciation of the Greek names.



Looking for extra income AND free books? Become an Usborne publisher's representative, and sell books in your community or local schools and libraries in your spare time!  This is a fantastic opportunity for SAHMs to earn extra income and a steady supply of amazing free children's books!  We are recruiting someone to register as a rep and help with several events this spring and summer. Training and support will be provided - all you need to have is a love of children and books!  Find out more here.



Bonjour Mama Bookstore
Location:  3786 Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895 
(Inside the Kensington Row Bookshop)
240-383-9163, bonjourmamadc@gmail.com

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sundays from 12pm-5pm

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

News from the Bonjour Mama Bookstore

For the latest updates please check Facebook or Twitter

Thank you so much all of you who have come to the store over the past several weeks, whether to browse or buy books, and/or for one of our storytimes or events.  It is so exciting to see people of all ages who love to speak French coming together!  This has always been my wish for Bonjour Mama (and by the way, now it's official: check out the article about us in the current issue of Bethesda Magazine!).  

We've had wonderful storytellers/Mamans including Jacqueline and Claire, and Stephanie Berthier from Français a la Mode, and several parents have said they would like to read stories, so we will continue to plan more. [By the way, for the latest updates--including last minute events--please check Facebook or Twitter!]  We wlll also begin hosting free, informal playdates every Tuesdays and Thursday at 11am for Moms, Dads and caregivers who just want to come and play in a French environment.  There are toys in the kids' corner (between Tinker Toys and Magna Tiles I've seen some very impressive constructions!). We almost always have French music playing, and you never know when people will spontaneously break into song (like on Sunday everyone was comparing notes on children's music CDs and we all sang "Jean Petit qui Danse, avec sa main il danse...."). And last but not least -- les livres!  

We are also opening up to any groups who would like to use our space for French-language activities (book club coordinators, conversation group leaders, vous etes les bienvenues!).  Elisenda Sola-Sole (isn't that a poetic name?) --owner of the Kensington Row Bookshop --is extremely welcoming of our growing community of French speakers at the store, and has graciously offered to share her two very cozy meeting spaces with tables to any of us who would like to use them--for free!  In the works: monthly book club for 3rd graders, possibly beginning with Tintin books.  A very nice mom of a third grader at Sligo Creek immersion has offered to help organize this but we need a fluent French speaker to lead the discussions.  Please get in touch if you are interested in leading this or another activity: bonjourmamadc@gmail.com.

Last but not least, we've moved! Not far: we're still at 3786 Howard Ave, inside the Kensington Row Bookshop, but we are now downstairs in our own room at the back of the store. It is also prime real estate, right next to the English kids section with the gorgeous dollhouse that many of your little ones have discovered wandering through the store. 

Spring must be just around the corner, n'est-ce pas? In the meantime, I hope you are all getting a chance to curl up with a great book on these freezing evenings. And during the day, come cozy up with us: we have tea (please be green and bring your own mug!) --in addition to a steady stream of wonderful stories --on tap for all comers!

A bientot!

Jennifer
(Bonjour Mama) 

 

Brand New Titles Just In!



Very cute stories by one of our favorite publishers (Usborne)- perfect for naptime or bedtime!  $22.95


New in Déjà-Lu (Gently Used Books)
 


Lots of old J'aime lire and Moi je lis magazines for $2 each! Fantastic magazines with a mix of comics, chapters, and activities.  

Please trade in your books! We offer credit (generally about 25% of the cover price) in store credit toward new books. You can use credit to pay for up to half of the price of your purchase of old or new books. 


Upcoming Events

For the latest updates - including events planned last minute!  please checkFacebook or Twitter!

Tuesday, 3/11
11am - Songs and stories with Beatrice Winter of Musical French!  Recomended for ages 5+.
Space is limited - please RSVP to bonjourmamadc@gmail.com or via Facebook

Thursday, 3/13
11am: French-language playdate: play, read, speak in French!

Tuesday, 3/18
11am: French-language playdate: play, read, speak in French!
Thursday, 3/20
11am: French-language playdate: play, read, speak in French! 

Tuesday, 3/25
10:30am: Storytime with Jacqueline!
11am: French-language playdate: play, read, speak in French! 

Thursday, 3/27
11am: French-language playdate: play, read, speak in French! 

Sunday, 4/27:
The Kensington Book Festival is on Sunday April 27, 2014 and Bonjour Mama is honored to be part of the organizing committee.  Now in its ninth year, the Day of the Book has grown to be "one of the top literary festivals in the Washington DC area" (Washington Post), with over 100 participants and an expected 5,000-6,000 visitors. The event is geared toward book lovers of all ages and is organized as a street festival with author tables, poetry and author readings, artist displays, children's activities, food, music, and more.   Are you an author or poet, or do you know someone who is? All languages welcome! Visit the web site for more information, or contact kensingtonbookfestival14@gmail.com!  

 

English-Language Usborne/Kane Miller Books



Did you know that Bonjour Mama also carries award-winning Usborne English-language children's books? They are available on www.zachsbookstore.com and at local community events.  Also, are you interested in becoming a publisher's representative, supplying books in your community or local schools and libraries in your spare time?  This is a fantastic opportunity for SAHMs to earn extra income and a steady supply of amazing free children's books!  We are recruiting someone to register as a rep and help with several events this spring. Training and support will be provided - all you need to have is a love of children and books!  Find out more here.


Bonjour Mama Bookstore
Location:  3786 Howard Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895 
(Inside the Kensington Row Bookshop)
240-383-9163, bonjourmamadc@gmail.com

Hours: Tuesday-Friday from 10am to 3pm and Sundays from 12pm-5pm

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Enough of the Snow Already! Ça suffit!

Quoi? Another snowstorm is on its way? Ca suffit! Enough!  Although personally, I strongly prefer a snowy 30+degrees to that biting, icy cold that leaves you scowling and hunched over, willing it not to enter your skin. Et vous?

Good thing there are lots of things to keep us occupied indoors when it's too cold to be outside.  Like tonight we can nestle in for the big game! Check out last year's post for some essential Super Bowl vocab en français. Although apparently "chicken wings" does not always translate as "ailes de poulet". I watched a movie the other night on Netflix with one of my favorite actors, Fabrice Luchini, and Kristen Scott Thomas (I swear she's made more French-language movies than English!) and in the scene where they sit down to watch basketball, they are eating "pizza et chicken wings"!  

Hope you are all staying au chaud.  Check out the latest happenings at the bookstore. We hope to see you TRÈS bientôt!

Jennifer
(Bonjour Mama) 


Brand New Titles Just In!

We have dozens of new titles in. Here is just a sample:


Pour les tout-petits, wonderful touch-feely book by Usborne -a pink one for baby girl,  blue one for baby boy. Trop mignon. $13.95. Board book, Ages 0-2.



Anyone love Super Fly Guy?  En français, he's Super Zig-Zag. A funny series that is very popular with early elementary kids. $7.99, Ages 2-7.

Lots  of other great Scholastic titles for all ages including graphic novels and picture books, plus the popular Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce. Tout en français.



New Favorites / Coups de Coeur
 


Connais-tu? biography series - fantastic black & white graphics with short texts to introduce history's real-life heroes.  We have one on Marie-Curie another on Jacques Cousteau. More coming soon!  $9.95, Ages 7+



Upcoming Events




Friday, February 7th - Storytime by Français a la Mode
1:15-2pm (Ages 3-5) and  4:15-5pm (Ages 5+)

We are excited to have Stéphanie Berthier of Français à la Mode, a Silver spring based French tutoring service, come to do not one, but TWO, FREE storytimes. One for the little kids (3-5) at 1:15pm and another for the bigger kids (5+) after school at4:15pmVenez nombreux! 
Free. RSVP via bonjourmamadc@gmail.com or Facebook.


SAVE THE DATE + CALLING ALL AUTHORS (English or French-language): Kensington Day of the Book is Sunday, April 27th!

The Kensington Book Festival is on Sunday April 27, 2014 and Bonjour Mama is honored to be part of the organizing committee.  Now in its ninth year, the Day of the Book has grown to be "one of the top literary festivals in the Washington DC area" (Washington Post), with over 100 participants and an expected 5,000-6,000 visitors. The event is geared toward book lovers of all ages and is organized as a street festival with author tables, poetry and author readings, artist displays, children's activities, food, music, and more.  

We are building a Francophone author section at this fantastic event and are calling all local French-language authors to participate! Are you an author or poet, or do you know someone who is?  Please get in touch with us!  English and other languages are welcome, too!  Visit the web site for more information, or contact kensingtonbookfestival14@gmail.com!  


All Day, Every Day
Audiobooks and musique en Francais!
Live stories and/or French practice with Bonjour Mama upon request!
Free.