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Children's Fiction Dogs

The French Fry King

illustrated by Roge

Publisher
Tundra
Initial publish date
May 2012
Category
Dogs, Cooking & Food, Friendship
Recommended Age
4 to 6
Recommended Grade
p to 1
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781770493506
    Publish Date
    May 2012
    List Price
    $19.99

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

A delectable feast for French fry lovers the world over, written and illustrated by acclaimed French Canadian artist, Rogé, this wonderful story will amuse, beguile and delight young readers! The French Fry King is a clever tale about dreaming big and finding love, told by a charming sausage dog named Roger.

Roger is a sausage dog who is destined for incredible things! He is most definitely NOT the kind of dog that would chase the mailman, chew on bicycle tires, or bark at every car that drives goes by. All of that bores him....

He longs to be human, and spends a great deal of time dreaming about his future. For Roger, happiness will only come when he becomes King – King of the French Fries! But will this bring him true happiness?

About the author

Rog�
As a child, Rog� (Roger Girard) knew that he wanted to be an artist. After earning a degree in graphic design at Universit� Laval, he worked in advertising for five years before working in international cooperation in the Dominican Republic. While there, he created large murals in a local village. He returned to Montreal, changed by this experience, and decided to devote himself to illustration. Since then, his creations have illustrated ad campaigns, posters and magazines, but it is the world of children's literature and its lack of constraints that has given him the freedom to create, and develop his own style. He was a GG finalist in 2002. Rog� lives in Montreal.

Roge's profile page

Editorial Reviews

“…Rogé’s illustrations feature rounded lines and characters that are full of life. Clever details provide many visual delights for the attentive reader…. This is a marvelous allegorical tale that will delight children and adults alike.”
—Quill & Quire

“This is a deliciously sweet book about Roger, the entrepreneurial canine who tries to fill a void in his life…. Through fun illustrations and light hearted text, our King stumbles upon his Queen and is finally able to find true happiness and fulfillment…. Rogé is a talented and acclaimed illustrator from Montreal, and his latest work here is fun, funny and simply charming.”
—WordsByMom.com

“… Rogé’s expressive paintings include people who clearly enjoy the pup’s fries and are full of details that young readers will love recognizing: iPods, cell phones, and Batman. A few French labels are peppered throughout, keeping the cultural characteristics of the original. The translated text flows smoothly and works well as a read-aloud. Young listeners will be delighted as Roger finally finds not only success, but also romance.”
School Library Journal

Librarian Reviews

The French Fry King

Roger is no ordinary dog. It is not for him to bark at cars or to chase mail carriers. This unconventional dachshund has far loftier goals. The discovery of a dropped trail of potatoes revolutionizes his existence. He decides to open a French fry stand. Surprisingly, these are not commonplace fries. “Word spread. Roger’s French fry stand captured the hearts of the whole town.” The hound travels the world in order to share his cooking skills, thereby being proclaimed the French Fry King wherever he visits. In spite of his international renown, Roger’s life still lacks meaning, until a chance meeting with a fellow canine entrepreneur, Charlotte, the Corn Cob Queen. Love blossoms, their two businesses are amalgamated — and life becomes beautiful.

Originally published in French as Le roi de la patate and translated into English by Alison Morgan, this is a humorous, yet thoughtful, tale about an ordinary individual who dreams big, only to realize that fame and fortune are meaningless unless he has someone to share them with. Rogé’s cartoon-like acrylic illustrations convey readers into the canine’s offbeat world. The artwork is large and bold, and a sense of fun and quirkiness abounds.

Who would ever have guessed that the simple French fry would have so many culinary possibilities? A recipe for Roger and Charlotte’s Royal Shepherd’s Pie (the product of their new business merger) is also included on the inside cover. Bon appétit!

Source: The Canadian Children's Bookcentre. Summer 2012. Volume 35 No. 3.

The French Fry King

A delectable feast for French fry lovers the world over, this clever tale is about dreaming big and finding love — and about a charming sausage dog named Roger. For Roger, happiness will only come when he is crowned French Fry King! But Roger eventually discovers this does not bring him true happiness and begins his search again. This title is also available in French as Le roi de la patate.

Source: The Canadian Children’s Book Centre. Best Books for Kids & Teens. Spring, 2012.

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