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.
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.
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.
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.
Don't let all those "back to school" signs popping up everywhere fool you.
