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Every year, French American schools across North America take part in the Albertine Prize for Kids, a unique bilingual reading initiative. The goal? To encourage students to discover new authors, develop a love for reading in both French and English, and vote for their favorite book from a curated selection.
But what exactly is this prize, and how does it benefit bilingual learners?
How does the Albertine Prize for Kids work?
The Albertine Prize for Kids is a bilingual literary award organized by Villa Albertine in partnership with the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad), the French Embassy in Canada and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States.
Each year, French-American and French-immersion schools receive a selection of three to six bilingual picture books (in French and English). Students read the books, explore their themes in both languages, compare the similarities and differences between languages, and vote for their favorite title.
The books are chosen to match a yearly theme (like “Together” or “Humor”), and are divided by age groups, including preschoolers (3–5), early elementary, and upper elementary.
How does this prize benefit bilingual literacy?
This bilingual book award supports key goals in bilingual and international education:
- Promotes literacy in two languages
- Exposes students to Francophone literature and culture
- Builds vocabulary and comprehension in two languages
- Strengthens reading comprehension and vocabulary
- Encourages comparisons, critical thinking and discussion
- Creates a shared experience across grade levels and school campuses
How the French American Academy Brings the Albertine Prize to Life
How Do Preschoolers and Kindergartners Participate?
Yes! Even our youngest students take part. Our students explored these three bilingual picture books:
- The Gift
- Harriette’s Reflections
- Never Not Ever
Here’s how they participate:
- Storytime in two languages: The French teacher reads in French, the English teacher reads in English the same book during bilingual class time.
- Guided reflections & activities: Students discuss the stories, characters, and emotions with their teachers. They also take part in activities surrounding the book!
- Language discovery: Students begin recognizing repeated phrases, patterns, and structure in both French and English.
- Vote for their favorite book
How Do Elementary Students Participate?
In Grades 1 to 5, students learn deeper into the Albertine Prize experience, with meeting the Albertines authors. This year, the six nominated books were:
Grades 1-3:
- At the Drop of a Cat
- The Coat
- Aïko and the Planet of Dogs
Grades 4-5:
- Shepherdess Warriors
- Meet the Lithographer
- Wondrous Wanders
Elementary Students Meet the Albertine Prize Authors and Illustrators
In addition to classroom activities, such as comparing story themes, language structure, discussing characters and artwork, creating art, and voting, students also had the unique opportunity to meet the creators behind the books.
These virtual meetings allowed students to ask questions and gain insights into the creative processes behind the books they studied. Students met via Zoom:
- Élise Fontenaille, author of At the Drop of a Cat
- Christoffer Ellegaard, illustrator of Aïko and the Planet of Dogs
- Amélie Fléchais, author of Shepherdess Warriors
Why the Albertine Prize Matters
The Albertine Prize for Kids is more than just a reading challenge, it’s a celebration of language, culture, and creativity. By reading and reflecting on stories in both French and English, students explore the similarities and differences of two languages, expand their vocabulary, and connect with peers across North America. At the French American Academy, this initiative brings classrooms to life and reinforces the power of bilingual education in a fun, meaningful way.
