Thursday, February 6, 2014

Yet Another Reason to Love Shakespeare and Company…



Shakespeare and Company looks as a bookstore should. Books tucked everywhere from ceiling to floor, making one wonder if the English-language bookshop even has walls. Maybe there are just books, somehow suspended in the air.

Forget about those modern, glossy superstores where you can practically do cartwheels down the aisles. Shakespeare and Company is nothing like that. You squeeze yourself through the book laden passages, walk from hidden room to hidden room, pass under heavy wooden beams and walk along hexagonal clay tiles.  


I can spend all day in here, browsing through the books and feeling as if I were back in Paris in the 1950s. But this time, I wasn't here to read or buy a book. I'd come to the shop for one of the many types of special events that delight the English-speaking community -- and in this case, the very youngest of readers.

Children's Hour! Hosted by the charismatic Kate Stables, it was just what I needed to jolt my three-year-old daughter P. out of her English-language phobia. (Our usual conversation: I say, often in a pleading voice: "Why don't you want to speak English?" P. says, "Everyone at school speaks French. Only YOU speak English.")

But now, it's not just me. Here is Kate who actually knows the words to "London Bridge" and "Wheels on the Bus" (P. is now realizing that I didn't make these songs up!) And there are other children here too who speak French AND English. I can almost see the thoughts running rapidly through P.'s mind. She is quiet through most of the hour, but does whisper-sing a few of the songs, play some musical instruments and tell me she wants to come back.

And on the way home, she proudly counts aloud... in English. Thanks, Kate! Thanks, Shakespeare and Company!





12 comments:

  1. Oh, wow! Wonderful. Such bookshops come under the heading of National Treasure.

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    1. I agree! With all of the bigger chain stores and online sellers, these little shops have become quite rare. Just being in the shop puts you in the mood to read...

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  2. What a beautiful bookstore! I love the name too :)

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    1. It is a lovely place... and amazing to see how many books they have lining the walls!

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  3. I've never been to Shakespeare and Co. I'm only in France such a short time when I visit. I can see that it must be a real treasure if you are living in France. Thanks for playing along today with Dreaming of France. Here’s my Dreaming of France meme

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    1. If you have a bit more time on a future trip, it really is worth a stop! But I know it is difficult when you're traveling and have to prioritize...

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  4. This makes me so sad that I'm not living in Germany anymore, we used to take day trips into Paris.

    That's also amusing about your daughter thinking you had perhaps made the songs up, so glad you found a way to get her going towards English. Thanks for linking up!

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    1. So cool that you lived in Germany... living abroad is such a great experience! It is wonderful to travel so easily from country to country. And, yes, even a tiny step in English with my daughter is a big victory for me :)

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  5. I love this little story about your daughter not wanting to speak English….& how nice that Shakespeare & Co. has come to the rescue… you are right …just one more reason to love this amazing book store!

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    1. Thank you! It was pretty funny to see the expression on her face as she heard the familiar songs... And the shop is indeed something special!

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  6. Great bookstore! If you're looking for more English-books (particularly kids' books) you should check out the SOS Help book sale. Or maybe you already know about it? I volunteer for them so I try to get the word out where I can. We have a sale coming up on March 23 and books are only 1-2 euros. Not to take business away from Shakespeare & Co. :)
    http://www.soshelpline.org/events.html

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    1. Thanks for that info! I didn't know about it. I'm always looking for books for my toddler girl so I'll check this out!

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