Paris-Chien: Adventures of an Expat Dog

by Jackie Clark Mancuso

Overview

Book 1 of 3: A Paris Chien Adventure Series

"Take one incredibly cute dog to Paris. Beautifully illustrate him and scenes around Paris in gouache. Voilà! You have a fun and engaging masterpiece." —The Picture Book Review

When Hudson, an adventurous Norwich Terrier, moves to Paris, he loves the new sights and smells. But when he tries to make friends, he discovers Parisian dogs only speak French! Though initially discouraged, little Hudson’s desire to make friends and thrive in his new environment is so strong that he learns a new language. Paris-Chien strikes a universal chord as it shows how it feels to be the new or different kid in any situation. Hudson’s successful experience will be comforting to any child set down in a new country, city, or school.

"A lovely book. Mancuso caught the vibe of the city perfectly." —The Bark

"The author paints a diverse picture of Paris, with people of different ethnicities and cultures." —Kids Books Without Borders


 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780615545424
Publisher:	La Librairie Parisienne
Publication date:	06/05/2013
Series:	Paris-Chien Adventure Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.20(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	5 - 7 Years

About the Author

Following a career as an art director and book designer, Mancuso transitioned into doing her own art, becoming a painter and author/illustrator of children's books. She enjoys travel, particularly to France, where she can improve her shaky grasp of the French language.
jackieclarkmancuso.com
@jackieclarkmancuso on Instagram

What People are Saying About This

Children's Librarian, Goodreads - Amy Adams

"Think of it as Me Talk Pretty One Day from the point of view of a dog and written and illustrated for children."

Award-winning children's book author - Monica Kulling

"LOVE this book. The illustrations are especially warm and wonderful."

Children's Librarian, Goodreads - Margo Tannenbaum

"Children and adults alike will enjoy the 'fish out of water' story.... The gouache artwork is particularly charming, and the color palette and stylized technique evoke 20th century artists such as Matisse."

Editorial Reviews

Hudson, a plucky terrier, can't wait to meet some French dogs while spending a year in Paris with his owner, a writer. Though Hudson sees many other dogs running errands with their owners, everyone is "so busy going places" that he isn't able to make friends. When he finally finds a dog park, another obstacle arises: the dogs only speak French ("Oh great," Hudson thinks. "I thought all dogs spoke Dog"). Hudson slowly absorbs the French language (thanks to lessons from—who else?—a French poodle), and debut author Mancuso includes a sprinkling of French words throughout, which are defined in a glossary. The story feels designed largely to showcase Mancuso's playful, rough-hewn gouache paintings of Paris and its human and canine denizens (Hudson appears in roughly half of the images). Still, she gives Hudson a bold, amusing narrative voice tinged with self-righteousness ("Are you kidding me?" he grumbles, seeing a no-dogs sign at one park), and he ends the story on a droll note, announcing that he's becoming a real Parisian—"I mean Paris-chien." Ages 3–6.

Publishers Weekly

"Paris-Chien showcases Mancuso’s playful gouache paintings of Paris’ human and canine denizens, and gives Hudson a bold, amusing narrative voice . . . Determined to make friends, Hudson eventually learns a new language, thanks to lessons from—who else?—a French poodle. A petit dictionnaire serves as an introduction to learning French.”   —Publishers Weekly

“A fun tale of adapting to life in Paris. The colorful gouache illustrations of dogs, people and city scenes have loads of personality and emotion... strikes a universal chord as it shows how it feels to be the new or different kid in any situation.” —Common Sense Media

“Children and adults alike will enjoy the ‘fish out of water’ story…. The gouache artwork is particularly charming, and the color palette and stylized 20th century French artists such as Matisse.” —Margo Tannenbaum, Children’s Librarian

“Take one incredibly cute dog to Paris. Beautifully illustrate him and scenes around Paris in gouache. Voilà! You have a fun and engaging masterpiece.” —The Picture Book Review

“From home sickness to French lessons to the struggle to make Parisian friends, this book carries a message for children about how to cope with change in their lives.” —Paris Voice


“Caught the vibe of the city perfectly.” —BARK magazine


“Think of it as Me Talk Pretty One Day from the point of view of a dog and written and illustrated for children.” —Amy Adams, Children’s Librarian


“Delightful!” —Travel for Kids

From the Publisher

"Delightful!"

Travel for Kids

"Take one incredibly cute dog to Paris. Beautifully illustrate him and scenes around Paris in gouache. Voilà! You have a fun and engaging masterpiece."

The Picture Book Review

"A fun tale of an English-speaking dog adapting to life in Paris works on several levels. The colorful gouache illustrations of dogs, people and city scenes have loads of personality and emotion...strikes a universal chord as it shows how it feels to be the new or different kid in any situation."

Common Sense Media

"From homesickness to French lessons to the struggle to make Parisian friends this book carries a message for children about how to cope with change in their lives."

Paris Voice