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Buy Full NotesMeet Marie-Louise Gay, an award-winning Canadian author and illustrator of children’s book. This is the first part of a fascinating conversation between two book and language lovers: Marie-Louise and myself! In this part, Marie-Louise will tell you a bit about her childhood and to what extent it influences the adventures of the heroes she’s been creating. Do you know Stella and Sam, two very cute siblings? They were born from Marie-Louise Gay’s imagination! Marie-Louise is perfectly fluent in both French and English, so which language comes first when she starts writing? Are there any differences between the French and English version of one same book? Listen to find out! Marie-Louise will also describe her creative process and illustrating techniques.
Episode Timeline
Part 1
Marie-Louise’s childhood
The adventures of Stella and Sam
Part 2
2 languages = 2 different books
Adapting rather than translating
Part 3
About Marie-Louise Gay’s young readers
Illustration techniques
Part 4
The creative process of writing and illustrating
Drawing: a late talent for Marie-Louise!
Vocab List
album jeunesse (nm) = book for youth
aquarelle (nf) = watercolour
assidu,e (adj) = diligent, hardworking, assiduous; regular, constant
avoir (qch) en tête = to have (sth) in mind
bande dessinée (nf) = comic strip
bout de papier (nm) = piece of paper, paper scrap
brouillon (nm) = draft, first draft, rough version
crayon de couleur (nm) = colour pencil
crayon de mine (nm) = pencil, lead pencil
enfance (nf) = childhood
esquisse (nf) = sketch, outline
fidèle (adj) = loyal, faithful
fioriture (nf) = embellishment, flourish
fourmiller = to be filled with/full of; to swarm, to teem
intrépide (adj) = daring, audacious
oeuvre (nf) = (art) work
sage (adj) = well-behaved
se plaire à = to like to, to be content to (think, say, etc)
traduire = to translate
Questions:
- (Part 1) What is Stella’s brother called in the English edition of Marie-Louise’s books? In the French edition?
- (part 2) How does Marie-Louise qualify/describe the English language? What about the French language?
- (Part 3) What makes Marie-Louise’s books so popular?
- (Part 3) Which creative technique does Marie-Louise use in some illustrations that may not be noticeable at first glance?
Answers:
- He’s Sam in the English edition and Sacha in the French edition.
- English is economical, ideal for short sentences, precise. French is more poetic and embellishing.
- They are very simple, with lots of images
- Collage
Links & Resources
- Website: www.marielouisegay.com
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