Marie LeTourneau

"It’s a language lesson and a cookbook, wrapped in the story about a team of Parisian chef mice—one dad, seven sons—who desperately want to win the coveted award for the best cheese soup in France. While the brothers turn the kitchen upside down, their sister, Petite Michelle, calmly pirouettes around the chaos and cooks up the winning recipe. The French words sprinkled throughout make this book fun to read aloud (a pronunciation guide is included for us Ugly Americans)".

New York Magazine - Top Five Children';s Books Holiday Reading

"One of the best children's books ever...the lush illustrations are breathtaking."
                                                         Texas Family Magazine, Dec 2006

     "Treat young readers to a gustatory delight with The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères (Tanglewood Press, 2006, ages 3 to 8, $15.95)....With her lively text and expressive illustrations, Marie LeTourneau has created the recipe for a winning picture book, liberally spiced with French phrases and sprinkled with a helpful pronunciation guide."

                   Washington Parent Magazine - October 2006

     "With fanciful illustrations, an amusing gastronomical story and everyday French words and phrases effortlessly incorporated into a primarily English text, this is an engaging introduction to French culture and language. There's even a pronunciation guide and, on the publisher's website, a recipe for Chef Marcel's delicious cheese soup. Ooh la la!"

50 Must Read Books,
Atlanta Parent Magazine - November 2006

      "Let's not ignore the younger set, aged 3 through 8, for whom lots of illustrations are as important as the story. They are in for a treat from The Mice of Bistrot Des Sept Freres...Here's a delightful way to introduce a youngster to a bit of French culture and a few French words as well. The artwork is plentiful and wonderful."

                                                   -Allan Caruba, Bookviews (www.bookviews.com)
                                                                                                              August 2006

        "The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres is a delightful picture book with charming illustrations. French words (and their English translations) are interspersed throughout the story. The illustrations are whimsical and child-friendly - the mice just look so appealing. Children will enjoy the chaos in the kitchens as the brothers run into each other and food flies everywhere. As for Michelle, one can't help but feel that it was an injustice that she was left out of the "boys club" and the name of the bistro to begin with, and readers will cheer her triumph."

                                 -Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds (www.wandsandworlds.com)
                                                                                                                  April 2006

      "Written And Illustrated by Marie LeTourneau with assistance by Danielle Reed Baty, The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres (The Bistro of Seven Brothers) is a delightful children's picture book about a family of Parisian mice who want to win the prize for the best cheese soup in France - and their sister, who wants to help out too! French words are skillfully spliced into this culinary tale of gathering and preparing ingredients for the love of the cooking arts, so that young readers can begin to absorb the beautiful language as they would sumptuous flavors in a meal. A pronunciation guide to the French words rounds out this whimsical and extravagantly illustrated storybook".

                              -Reviewers Choice, MidWest Book Reviews (Small Press Batch)
                                                                                                             October 2006


      "My top three pickups at the Book Expo America, Washington DC, 2006: Kevin Huizenga's upcoming Curses, from D&Q, Tim Burton's Corpse Bride: An Invitation to the Wedding, and the children's book The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres, by Marie Letourneau."

                                                      -Dembicki, www.dcconspiracy.com - May 2006

     "In The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Freres, Marie LeTourneau takes young readers on a delightful trip to Paris. And with a list of French pronunciations, she teaches them how to pronounce French words placed throughout the story. LeTourneau's illustrations are quite unique. They remind me of the American portrayals of Paris back in the 60s. It's entertaining and instructional. You can't beat that mom and dad!"

                                                                 - MyShelf, www.myshelf.com - July 2005