Why am I passionate about this?

I am an American children’s author and expat living in France. Holding a bilingual master’s from La Sorbonne University in Paris, I now teach both English and French as foreign languages to children and adults of all ages. A Francophile since my very first French lessons back in high school, I now enjoy French citizenship and am happy to be “living my best life” between my two countries. I am passionate about promoting literacy and the languages I hold dear.


I wrote

Book cover of Piglette

What is my book about?

This is a charming book for little armchair travellers, featuring a piglet who is born last in her litter and…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Truffle Hunter

Katelyn Aronson Why did I love this book?

I adore the gorgeous depictions of the Dordogne region of France in this book—they are truly a feast for the eyes!

As for the story itself, I enjoy the subtle humor of the piggy characters’ personalities, particularly the main character, Martine’s ennui and the boorishness of her romantic interest, Raoul. This is a French fairytale for both animal fans and gastronomy lovers.

By Inga Moore,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Truffle Hunter as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Left behind in the forest by her disgusted owner because she is unable to find truffles, Martine the pig, while trying to find her way home, meets a handsome wild boar who teaches her all about this great woodland delicacy


Book cover of Crêpes by Suzette

Katelyn Aronson Why did I love this book?

I found this book to be very useful for parents and educators, since it shows mixed media illustrations using real photographs of Paris, while introducing kids to actual French words and phrases.

As the title suggests, it also dishes up a delicious description of making crêpes in the French capital city.

By Monica Wellington,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Crêpes by Suzette as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

Take your children on a trip to Paris with Suzette, the crêpe maker, and her artistic customers. As Suzette sells her delicacies over the course of a day, you will be treated to the sights and sounds of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, from Nôtre-Dame to the Eiffel Tower. Suzette's customers along the way are inspired by works of art, such as da Vinci's Mona Lisa and Degas's Little Dancer. Children will learn some key French words and phrases. As delicious as Suzette's crêpes, this book will captivate children--and parents-- who will want to make the…


Book cover of Finding Francois: A Story about the Healing Power of Friendship

Katelyn Aronson Why did I love this book?

I was so touched by this book, which very delicately recounts the story of a little pig named Alice who lives in Paris with her grand-mère. One day her grandmother passes on, and Alice must learn to mend her own broken heart by finding new friendship with someone who lives many miles away.

This gentle and humorous story is a testament to the healing power of friendship, even those that are long-distance.

By Gus Gordon,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Finding Francois as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Alice wanted a sister, or even a brother, but what she needed was a friend. And when she found him... she found so much more.

In this exquisite, gently funny, and reassuring tale, the lucky and lovely friendship between Alice and Francois spans the length of the River Seine and the loss of a loved one. Award-winning author and artist Gus Gordon captures the highs and lows of being little, and tenderly shepherds kids through the tough parts of childhood. With charm and compassion, Finding Francois acknowledges the grief children feel, revels in life's fantastic possibilities, and celebrates the affirming,…


Book cover of Escargot

Katelyn Aronson Why did I love this book?

I fell in love with the adorable illustrations of this sweet and funny story in which Escargot wanders from page to page, determined to reach the tasty salade at the very end of the book.

Charmingly addressing the reader at every turn, Escargot narrates his own story in a French accent that begs to be read aloud.

By Dashka Slater, Sydney Hanson (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Escargot as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Bonjour! Escargot is a beautiful French snail who wants only two things: 1. To be your favourite animal. 2. To get to the delicious salad at the end of the book. But when he gets to the salad, he discovers that there's a carrot in it. And Escargot hates carrots. But when he finally tries one - with a little help from you! - he discovers that it's not so bad after all.


Book cover of Kylie the Crocodile in Paris

Katelyn Aronson Why did I love this book?

I bought this book during a weekend trip to Paris, and it turned out to be my favorite souvenir.

The author and illustrator are a husband and wife team, and they’ve cooked up a lovely character in Kylie, who is based on a real-life crocodile found once upon a time in the canals of Paris!

By Oliver Gee, Lina Nordin Gee (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Kylie the Crocodile in Paris as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This children's book follows the story of Kylie, a crocodile that lives in the Canal Saint-Martin of Paris. She explores Paris secretly by day, watching people from the safety of storm drains (can you find her on every page?).

At night, she sneaks out of the canal, via the sewers, and into some of the most famous places in Paris like the Louvre Museum and the big department stores.

Written and illustrated by Paris couple Oliver and Lina Gee, you'll surely delight in Paris as seen from the eyes of a crocodile. Don't miss the informative and fun Paris facts…


Explore my book 😀

Book cover of Piglette

What is my book about?

This is a charming book for little armchair travellers, featuring a piglet who is born last in her litter and always feeling a bit different from her family. In pursuit of perfection, Piglette leaves the pasture and follows her sensitive snout to Paris, where she discovers the pampered world of Madame Paradee's parfumerie. Still missing her mother and six brothers and sisters, Piglette yearns for home and finds herself torn between the city and the countryside. She’ll have to dream up the perfect party to bring the two worlds she loves together.

An alliterative story about finding one’s place in the world, Piglette celebrates flowers, fragrances, and French culture. The book’s sequel, Piglette’s Perfect Surprise, goes on to explore the world of la pâtisserie.

Book cover of The Truffle Hunter
Book cover of Crêpes by Suzette
Book cover of Finding Francois: A Story about the Healing Power of Friendship

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Elephant Safari

By Peter Riva,

Book cover of Elephant Safari

Peter Riva Author Of Kidnapped on Safari

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I have been to, and loved, North, Central, and especially East Africa for over fifty years. Only six times have I been to Africa on holiday; more often, perhaps twenty or more times, as a television producer. Working in Africa gains a perspective of reality that the glories of vacation do not. Each has its place, each its pitfalls like stalled plane rides with emergency landings in the bush or attacks by wildlife. But, in the end, the magic of the “otherness,” what an old friend called “primitava” captures one’s soul and changes your life.

Peter's book list on the otherness that few get to experience

What is my book about?

Keen to rekindle their love of East African wildlife adventures after years of filming, extreme dangers, and rescues, producer Pero Baltazar, safari guide Mbuno Waliangulu, and Nancy Breiton, camerawoman, undertake a filming walking adventure north of Lake Rudolf, crossing from Kenya into Ethiopia along the Omo River, following a herd of elephant making their annual migration.

Stumbling onto an elephant poaching, the team become embroiled in true financing of terrorism for al Shabaab –ivory sales–and are determined to stop the slaughter at any cost. Ivory trade financing terrorism involves UN refugee camps with two hundred thousand displaced Somali persons, powerful…

Elephant Safari

By Peter Riva,

What is this book about?

A documentary team hiking through East Africa collides with a gang of deadly poachers, in this gripping adventure by the author of Kidnapped on Safari.

Years of filming, extreme dangers, and daring rescues have taken their toll on documentary producer Pero Baltazar and his team. To relax and reconnect with the East African wildlife they love, Pero organizes a walking safari for him, his camerawoman Nancy Breiton, and their elite guide Mbuno Waliangulu. Still, Pero has trouble truly disconnecting from work. When the team comes across a herd of elephants making their annual migration north of Lake Rudolf, Pero decides…


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