¡hola! Let’s Learn Spanish: Visit New Places and Make New Friends
Bonjour! Let’s Learn French: Visit New Places and Make New Friends
By Judy Martialay  


¡hola! Let’s Learn Spanish: Introduces children to Spanish. The purpose of the book is to give children an enjoyable experience learning the language as well as to teach them a useful skill. The age range of children is roughly 6-10, although it should include the largest age range possible. It is especially useful for parents and children who reside in the many districts where foreign language is not offered in elementary school. My hope is that kids and their parents will be inspired to continue their study of Spanish throughout school, so that they can truly communicate to the millions of Spanish speakers throughout the world. The book can be used by older children themselves. It can be adapted for use in Foreign Language in Elementary School , FLES, programs and in Foreign Language Experience, FLEX, programs. It can be used by librarians. It would make a great gift for grandparents, relatives or anyone who has a child in his or her life and would like to give that child the beginning of a truly world class education. It can be used by parents, whether or not they speak Spanish, and their children. There is an audio version of the book on http://polyglotkidz.com. Children and parents should follow along with book and audio so that they learn the best pronunciation. The book begins with an introduction, where Pete the Pilot invites children aboard his magic plane for an imaginary trip to Mexico. On board, children are given some basic words and expressions to learn. Parents and children will have best results when learning the Spanish when they repeat often, and use the Spanish in everyday life situations. The book is designed to help them do that. When the children arrive in Mexico, they meet Panchito, the jumping bean, and they follow his adventures while learning Spanish, and becoming acquainted with the culture of Mexico. When they return, they bring their Spanish back home with them. In the activities section, they are encouraged to use Spanish in every day situations. For example, they have a treasure hunt of people and objects around their house. They can have fun putting on a skit with their friends. In the Culture Corner, kids learn more about the different customs that they meet during the story, and they get more ideas on how to use their Spanish. They can sing the traditional song for breaking the piñata. In the craft section, children can make a mask with frijoles, beans that they encountered in the story. There are more opportunities for using Spanish. With the vocabulary section, they can hear again how each word or phrase is pronounced. With ¡HOLA! Let’s Learn Spanish, children engage in a variety of activities designed to accomodate a variety of learning styles, and enjoy communicating in Spanish.



Bonjour! Let’s Learn French: Gives children roughly 6-10 an early and fun introduction to French. Kids board Pete the Pilot’s magic airplane en route to France. On board, they learn their first French words and phrases. In France, they meet Louis, l’escargot and his friends, and follow their adventure while learning French and absorbing the culture. The French words and expressions are introduced gradually during the story, which is told in English. Back home, kids can use and expand their French with family and friends with fun activities. These include a treasure hunt, daily expression, and a skit.The Culture corner explains some of the cultural differences that children encounter during their stay in France. This section includes a traditional French song. In the crafts section, children learn about impressionist art and how to make an impressionist-style painting., as they are encouraged to use their French.Easy to use, whether or not parents know French. The Audio is free and downloadable at website mentioned in the book.It is my wish that all children have the opportunity to begin learning a language early. Although anyone can start to learn another language at any age, children will have more time to become proficient, and they have the ability to acquire native-like pronunciation.In the U.S., there are relatively few programs that introduce a language in elementary school.Parents wishing to give their children the many benefits of knowing another language can “homeschool” French for their kids. Bonjour! Let’s Learn French is a great way to start. Parents can learn or review the language themselves. I hope that parents will also ask their local elementary school to implement programs of Foreign Language in Elementary School (FLES).


Knight out of Fairy


¡hola! Let’s Learn Spanish: I really enjoyed the book’s format, and the illustrations were cute. I like that the Spanish words are mixed in with English, with a glossary of all the words in the back. There’s also a section that teaches about Mexico. I enjoyed the exercises and craft parts as well. Real life application mixed with a story makes this a great introduction to Mexican Spanish for kids.

Bonjour! Let’s Learn French: This is a brilliant way to introduce kids to the French language. A short illustrated story accompanied by French words and real life exercises, kids will find themselves speaking French in no time. Parents and kids alike will enjoy this book.


Check Out the Website for Extras
¡hola! Let’s Learn Spanish:
Where to buy: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Bookbaby
Add to your TBR list: Goodreads
Bonjour! Let’s Learn French:
Where to buy: Amazon  | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Bookbaby
Add to your TBR list: Goodreads
About the Author: Hi, I’m Judy Martialay. I live in Sea Cliff, N.Y. with my husband. My daughters are grown up. I have a toddler granddaughter.

I have lots of interests; I am a guitar jammer, a painter, gardener, knitter, volunteer, and I love to cook (but have to watch my sugar). I studied Japanese, but had to give that up when my Japanese friend with whom I exchanged lessons moved away.

I retired from teaching foreign /world languages, and now I devote time and energy to advocacy for foreign language study for the Public Advocacy Committee of the New York State Association of Foreign Language Teachers (NYSAFLT).

Foreign language learning is an uphill battle in the English-speaking countries. I think, though, that more parents are becoming aware of the many benefits of being bilingual, and they want their kids to learn languages.

I wrote the books ¡HOLA! Let’s Learn Languages and Bonjour! Let’s Learn French because I want every child to have the opportunity to learn a world language at an early age. This is the best time to start learning a language. Children’s brains are wired for learning languages. They have a better chance for acquiring native pronunciation, and they have ample time to become truly proficient in the language.

I often hear the comment from teachers of young children:” Children absorb languages like sponges.”

My granddaughter hears Spanish every day; she has an au pair girl who speaks to her in Spanish. She understands everything.

I want children and their parents to enjoy the experience of learning languages. It is an adventure into the soul of another world.

If your child continues study of a language, he or she will have a skill that will provide life-long benefits.