The author of La Lumière Allumée, winner of the 2023 Prix Albertine Jeunesse, visited two DC area elementary schools.

Two French-English bilingual immersion schools in the greater DC area received a special visitor in June, author Richard Marnier. Recipient of the Prix Albertine Jeunesse for his book La Lumière Allumée, or Who Left the Light On? in English.  

Marnier arrived in DC following stops in Ottawa and New York City as part of an author tour that has allowed him to connect with students who voted him winner of the Prix Albertine Jeunesse. The prize, which is awarded annually to authors with titles published in both French and English, is open to all accredited French and dual language schools in North America. Throughout the school year, students work with a selection of French/English books selected by the Prix Albertine Jeunesse committee, and subsequently  vote for their favorite book. The prize is in its sixth year and has created many collaboration opportunities for francophone and anglophone classrooms. In 2023, over 6,000 students voted for the prize.

Marnier was welcomed by Elsie Whitlow Stokes Community Freedom Public Charter School, a bilingual elementary school in Washington DC noted for its diversity and active immersion programming. Approximately 23 2nd grade students participated in a workshop with the author, where they had the chance to ask questions and draw pictures inspired by his book. In the afternoon, Marnier continued his tour with workshops at Maryvale Elementary School, a bilingual elementary school in Rockville, Maryland. Nearly 150 young learners aged 5-8 greeted him with questions and listened eagerly as he read aloud from La Lumière Allumée.  

The two schools were selected because of their LabelFrancEducation, a prestigious label granted to institutions that promote French language and culture as part of their curriculum. The label is a mark of distinction for all those who receive it and gives schools the opportunity to connect further with the francophone community.