A Look Back at the Third Annual My French Book Fest
Drawing in an impressive 3,500 attendees, this edition of My French Book Fest marked a significant milestone as the largest French-language children’s literature festival in the United States.
The event was a true testament to the enduring cultural ties between Louisiana and the French language, highlighting both the region’s rich history and its ongoing commitment to promoting French literacy.
Louisana is home to 45 French immersion schools, where over 5,500 students from around the world are educated in French, further strengthening the bond between Louisiana and the francophone world.
Organized by the Consulate General of France in New Orleans, Villa Albertine, and the Alliance Française of New Orleans, the festival aims to create connections between young readers and French-language authors, while promoting literacy.
For this year’s edition of the festival, 13 authors from diverse French-speaking regions, including Quebec, Acadia, France, Louisiana, and Guadeloupe, were invited. Among them were Victor Dixen, Elisa Géhin, Andrée Poulin, and Kirby Jambon, to name a few.
They conducted workshops in schools, providing young audiences with a unique opportunity to explore the rich diversity of the Francophonie and engage with its literary heritage.
Read more about the festival’s highlights below.
Le quart d’heure de lecture – November 4
Gearing up for the launch of the festival, Villa Albertine encouraged immersion schools across the state to take a 15-minute break to enjoy a French literary treasure, with the opportunity to win a special giveaway.
A Day of Family Fun – November 9
The day at the New Orleans Public Library began with a variety of engaging activities for both children and parents. Highlights included an interactive musical presentation of Scott’s Note by French musician and storyteller Étienne Sibille as well as workshops on crafting musical instruments from recycled materials. French-Cameroonian author and designer Vickie Frémont also led a creative session on African tales and mask-making, offering a unique blend of cultural and artistic experiences.
At the Alliance Française of New Orleans, a day of vibrant events featured three international guests. Villa Albertine resident and author Julia Bourdet shared her eco-friendly journey across the U.S., while leading live drawing workshops for students. Acadian authors Dany and Daniel Bouffard hosted creative comic book design workshops, introducing kids to their interactive series Capitaine Acadie. French author and illustrator Anne-Lise Boutin, recipient of the 2024 Prix Albertine Jeunesse, signed her acclaimed book Les frères Zzli. The day also included a “Marché Français” with fresh produce, crêpes, and coffee, as well as a range of activities like the Petits Penseurs philosophy workshop and a theater competition open to all immersion schools in New Orleans.
A Festival Across Louisiana – November 11-16
For the first time this year, the festival extended beyond New Orleans and reached students from nine cities across the state.
In Lafayette, the Center for Louisiana Studies organized school outings for students. They had the chance to meet authors, participate in workshops, explore a comic book exhibition, and attend a book fair. A public event also took place, bringing together comic book authors, University of Lafayette students, and comic book enthusiasts. Additionally, the Acadiana Center for the Arts hosted a French musical performance by Etienne Sibille for 300 elementary school students from Lafayette.
The festival culminated with a three-day series of events at the historic West Baton Rouge Museum. Highlights included a French book fair, literary and theater workshops with Guadeloupean authors Didyer Manette, Amandine Velin, and Manick Siar-Titeca; concerts featuring traditional Louisiana music; school field trips; and a special exhibition showcasing artwork from the comic strip Capitaine Acadie.