Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

French Short Stories in Paris by Black Swan Languages is part of the Vocabulary Perfection series that promises you can master the language basics in just 21 days. Are you planning a trip to Paris and want to learn a little of the language before you go? If yes, this is the book for you. Basic French is taught through 16 short stories about Paris, each written in French with an English translation, suitable for complete beginners to those who want to brush up on their language skills. The layout allows for self-paced learning, and each story lists the vocabulary you’ll learn. The glossary at the end is a useful tool for at-a-glance learning, containing everything you need to know about learning basic French.

French Short Stories in Paris by Black Swan Languages is a wonderful book that makes learning a new language a breeze. Starting with the alphabet – the most important part of learning any new language – the book is broken down into easy chapters, each a self-contained lesson that you can follow at your own pace. The map shows you all the places mentioned in the stories, and the chapter on Paris adds context, as do the photos scattered throughout. I’ve tried learning French before and struggled with it, but this book made it seem easy. It’s an enjoyable way to learn, just enough to make you feel you’ve accomplished something, but not so much that you are left overwhelmed and drowning. The pronunciation tips really help, as that’s one of the biggest things people tend to get wrong with new languages. This kind of book makes learning fun and much easier, with line-by-line French-to-English translations and a useful glossary that provides basic vocabulary. A very enjoyable read, and highly recommended for anyone who wants to learn a new language or who is planning a visit to France.