Here are a curated selection of websites which will help you plan and deliver children’s programming in French. The focus is on options in Ontario, Canada. Please note that most resources are only available in French. Anglophones... remember that Google translate is your friend.
Programming ideas
Ideas for library programs, including books, themes, crafts, and activities.
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec Heure de Conte pages Storytime ideas from the Quebec National Library
Club de lecture d’été TD Programming ideas which align with the annual TD Summer Reading Club theme
Educatout Ideas for crafts and activities with free printouts
Livrealire boite à idées Programming and display ideas to encourage reading
Momes.net Ideas for crafts and activities with free printouts
Rendez-vous de la Francophonie NFB screenings Free film screenings from the National Film Board of Canada each year during March
Fun with French program from Vaughn PL Model for a French homework and reading help program staffed by teenage volunteers. Their bilingual application form may help inspire libraries that want to launch their own program.
Songs and fingerplays
YouTube channels
There are a multitude of YouTube channels showing French children’s songs. These are some of the top options for library staff due to their focus on storytime songs or because they were created by publishers.
1,2,3, on chante! The Ottawa Public Library’s channel for French storytime songs etc. Videos are subtitled and the lyrics are included in the descriptions.
Bibliothèque municipale de Lyon A collection of songs and fingerplays in French, Chinese, English, Italian, German, Greek, Spanish, Romanian.
YourKidTV “Jeux de doigts” playlist French fingerplays from YourKidTV
Didier Jeunesse - Des comptines et des chansons Songs and stories from French publisher Didier Jeunesse
Tous les enfants Songs and stories from French publisher Éditions des Braques and music producer Victorie Music
Lyrics only
Mama Lisa Side-by-side French and English lyrics, many accompanied by sound clips or videos
Book recommendations
Communication jeunesse National non-profit for Canadian French-language children’s literature. Some content is restricted to paying members.
Forêt de la lecture Ontario Library Association's annual pick's for each grade (JK-12)
Fous de lire Listings for 1,000 works targeting children from 4 to 18. Each listing includes a book description and other content such as usage tips and cultural references. Note that this site is no longer being updated.
Livres ouverts Run by a Quebec Education department, this database lists many titles, and makes it easy to search for a theme by reading level
Kaledioscope : Livres Jeunesse pour un monde égalitaire. Specific catalogue of ~250 books on social justice topics for children aged 0-12 years. Themes include cultural diversity, family diversity, homosexuality, body image, and immigration.
Ricochet A Swiss site with recommendations and lists of awards. International focus.
Sentiers littéraires pour enfants : Created by the Université Laval with funding from TD. For each title selected, there is a summary, a quote and the qualities that justify the choice of the work.
BD (comic books/graphic novels)
Festival international de la bande dessinée d’Angoulême school awards
Planète BD A site dedicated to the promotion of all BD ([comic books/graphic novels). Tons of reviews as well as industry news and some articles.
Les libraires online store Using the online store, you can sort by most popular or by bookseller recommendations to see the titles kids are reading most and those selected by experts.
Other resources
FrancoLab Junior Educational videos for a young francophone and French immersion audience
Revue (Magazine) Les libraires Quarterly publication from the association of independent Canadian French-language bookstores. It's free and has articles and book recommendations.
Programming in Ontario
French Street A database of French-language activities and programs available in Ontario. Developed and maintained by Canadian Parents for French - Ontario.
Canadian Parents for French Local chapters of this organization can help libraries offer workshops and webinars. They also have information about the state of French Language education in Canada and hold an annual speaking contest.
Tournée Lire à tout vent Subsidised author and illustrator visits during the tournée Lire à tout vent, held annually at the start of November.
Association des auteures et auteurs de l’Ontario français The association provides financial support for author visits.
Lire en Ontario This site makes it easy to study and connect with Franco-Ontarian authors. There's a database of Franco-Ontarian books, pedagogical sheets, author profiles and contact information