A celebration of Francophone Youth Literature in Louisiana!

Join us in New Orleans, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge for Louisiana’s only youth literature festival entirely in French! This exciting celebration brings together authors, illustrators, and students from across the Francophone world to spark young imaginations and promote the joy of reading in French.

With interactive workshops, storytelling sessions, book signings, and a bilingual literature showcase, there’s something for everyone — from curious little readers to passionate educators and lifelong Francophiles.

Presented by the Consulate General of France in Louisiana and Villa Albertine, in partnership with the Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans, My French Book Fest is a joyful invitation to connect with French language, creativity, and culture—right here in Louisiana!

Find the full program here Find the full program here

One Festival, Three Locations.

New Orleans.

November 4th to November 12th :
Authors visit Immersion schools.

Francine Vidal will be on-site November 4th, 9th and 10th.

Gaëtan Doremus will be available November 10th, 11th and 12th.

Rob Malo will be present November 9th and 10th.

November 4th to November 6th :
Alliance Française welcomes field trips and offers workshops and exhibitions.

Jonathan Mayers and Henry Barconey that will host together a workshop about the creole language.

Francine Vidal will lead a read-aloud workshop.

Gaëtan Doremus will facilitate a collaborative drawing session.

Saturday, November 7th :
Open Day free French Book Fair at AFNO : signings, workshops, live music, theater contest and activities for all ages.

Lafayette.

November 11th to November 13th :
Authors visit Immersion schools.

Francine Vidal will be present on November 11th, 12th and 13th.

Rob Malo will be on-site on November 11th.

Wednesday, November 11th :
Special event with author Rob Malo in the evening at Cavalier Book House.

Baton Rouge.

November 12th and November 13th :
Author Rob Malo visits Immersion schools and give workshops for Field Trips at the West Baton Rouge Museum.

Saturday, November 14th :
Family event at the West Baton Rouge Museum.

Sunday, November 15th :
Monthly Cajun Jam with the Cajun French Music Association

Our French guests.

Francine Vidal

Author - Special Guest

Francine Vidal ! French storyteller, dramatic artist, and children’s author. She has been passionate about oral storytelling since 1993. She brings stories to life through expressive gestures, music, and different languages. She is known for writing children’s books such as La grenouille à grande bouche and La souris qui cherchait un mari.

Gaëtan Doremus

Author - Special Guest

Gaëtan Dorémus is an award-winning French author and illustrator whose imaginative, playful work has delighted young readers for more than 25 years. Known for his expressive drawings, humor, and inventive storytelling, he has published with leading French children’s publishers including Seuil Jeunesse, Rouergue, and Albin Michel Jeunesse. His work has received international recognition, including honors from The New York Times and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. His book Quatre Pattes / On All Fours is listed in the Prix Albertine Jeunesse 2027 shortlist.

Our Canadian guest.

Rob Malo

Rob Malo is a juggler, poet, musician, and storyteller—really, what can’t he do? He is a Franco-Manitoban and an active member of the Société historique de Saint-Boniface. Not only does he write exceptional poetry, but he also creates amazing comic books, such as TiBert le voyageur. Through his work, Rob Malo raises awareness of Franco-Manitoban culture and helps share the experiences and history of the community. His literary and artistic work inspires people and helps keep Francophone culture alive..

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Our Louisiana guests.

Henry Barconey

Henry Barconey is a Louisiana Creole artist and language activist from New Orleans. He uses traditional and digital art to preserve and share Louisiana Creole language and culture. He studied visual art at LSU and now works at the West Baton Rouge Museum as the head of education. Through his art, literature, and the Kafé Kréyol, he helps teach others about the history and importance of Louisiana Creole.

Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers

Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers is a Louisiana artist, poet, and cultural activist who works to preserve Kouri-Vini, an endangered Louisiana Creole language. His art combines painting, writing, and Louisiana’s cultural traditions to celebrate his heritage. As Baton Rouge Poet Laureate, he uses poetry to connect communities and promote multilingualism. Through his artwork and the book FÉVI, Mayers shows that Kouri-Vini is still a living language and an important part of Louisiana’s culture.

Louisiana's deep-rooted Francophile history and rich culture make it the perfect setting for this celebration of French language and literature. Louisiana boasts a vibrant network of 45 French immersion schools, over 5,500 students, and 115 teachers supported by France’s Ministry of National Education.

Objectives.

To promote youth reading in French
To encourage reading in French for children
To foster synergies between readers, publishers and book stores in Louisiana
To showcase the diversity of the French-speaking world: presence of Quebec, Acadian, French publications and authors, Louisianans.

Key Numbers - 2025 Edition.

In 2025, students participated in My French Book Fest, each one discovering the joy of reading in French through lively storytelling, author meet-and-greets, and hands-on workshops. From pre-K to high school, students were inspired to connect with language and literature in creative ways.

Across 116 classes, teachers used the festival as a tool for learning—sparking classroom conversations about culture, storytelling, and vocabulary while integrating books into their French curriculum in innovative ways.

Held in collaboration with 22 French immersion schools.