Bilingualism x 7. An Interview with Anne-Marie Gorman

I recently corresponded with Anne-Marie Gorman about her family's experience raising and homeschooling 6 7 bilingual kids. Here is our conversation:

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Sarah: How old are children?

Anne-Marie: They are 17, 17, 14, 12, 9, 7, 5

Sarah: How do you speak German with your family?

Anne-Marie: My husband and I speak some German with the kids.

Sarah: How do your children respond?

Anne-Marie: They all respond in German, but the extent to which they can understand and reply is much smaller for the younger ones. The three oldest are fluent; the fourth is fluent but grammatically inaccurate; the fifth is comfortable but has limited vocabulary and grammar; the two youngest make sentences but have very limited vocabulary and grammar.

Sarah: Why do you want your children to speak German?

Anne-Marie: I grew up bilingual (English and French) and learned other languages, including German, in high school and college. My husband learned French and Latin in school and German as an adult. I always assumed our kids would learn languages too, and figured French would be the first one. But it happened that German was actually, after English, the next most useful language for us.

When the oldest were still preschoolers, we spent a year in Germany on a research grant (my husband is an academic); we hoped for more such opportunities, so it made sense to maintain and expand what German the kids had acquired. As things have turned out, we've gone back for two further stays. Each time, we try to teach the kids some German in advance, and they learn tons more while we're there, from going to school/kindergarten in German. (We homeschool in the US but not in Germany).

Sarah: What is your biggest challenge in teaching your children German?

Anne-Marie: For the oldest ones, I don't actually teach. They just read and write in German.
For the youngest ones, I just read stories and we watch movies, and we haven't had problems with that, except for the cost.

The difficulty is with the 12-year-old. She has picked up a lot of German by immersion, but doesn't have much grammar. I have not yet found a good resource for teaching her. I'm using a grammar review aimed at German schoolchildren, but it doesn't have enough practice for our purposes. Also, it often assumes that the student uses correct grammar without understanding it, so there often isn't enough explanation.

Sarah: What are your goals for your children in speaking German?

Anne-Marie: We wanted them to enjoy school and make friends when we were in Germany, and stay in contact with these friends when we came home.

Sarah: Would you recommend your favorite German language book, CD or DVD.

Anne-Marie: Otfried Preussler's Krabat.

Sarah: Do you have access to German language children materials through another source such as public library, school library, Samstagschule, other…

Anne-Marie: There is a Goethe-Institut in Washington, DC and a German school north of here. They probably have materials but they are inconvenient for me to get to. Our public library system has some materials in German, but not at our branch. They are in the process of updating their catalog, so I hope that I will soon be able to find out what they have and order it sent to our branch.

Sarah: How long have you known about Alphabet Garten?

Anne-Marie: I had heard of you several months ago, but didn't need anything at the time, and forgot about you. Then I was reminded of you (on the Sonlight homeschooling forums) and read your blog.

Sarah: Anne-Marie, thanks for your time!

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Bilingual Families Wanted!
We are always looking for new families to interview! It's quick, painless, and lots of fun! Plus, we'll send you a free book for participating.

If you'd like to be interviewed on our blog, please send an e-mail to thea (at) alphabet-garten.com .

Review: So schoen wie der Mond

Balloons, tea parties, and a sweet little girl - what's not to love in this adorable book.

Akiko gets a balloon in the market and when she brings it home, Mama ties it onto a spoon so it won't fly away. Since it's just about the same size as Akiko, she imagines it becomes her friend and they play together in the garden and have tea. But alas, the wind comes and blows the balloon high into a tree. Mama can't reach it! Akiko has to go in to dinner without it. She's very sad. Just when she's lost all hope, she looks out the window and sees it in the light of the moon and suddenly she imagines it back with her.

My two-year-old understood every word of this sweet, simple book. The childlike drawings are more sketches than full illustrations which somehow makes the book a bit wistful. This made a lovely, gentle bedtime story for us tonight.

So schoen wie der Mond, by Komako Sakai, translated from Japanese into German, available from Alphabet Garten

Parenting auf Deutsch: Phrases for Praise

Is that a tongue-twister or what? I've been thinking it might be useful for some of you to have a handy list of things to say in German when your child does something spectacular, wonderful, or just plain great. So here goes...

Prima! - Great!
Super! - Super!
Klasse! - Great!
Ausgezeichnet! - Excellent!
Gut gemacht! - Well done
Das hast Du aber schön gemacht. - You sure did that nicely.
Ich bin so stolz auf Dich. - I'm so proud of you.
Das ist aber toll. That is just great.
Spitzenklasse! Great!
Großartig! - Excellent!

Whew - that was a lot of exclamation points. :) Serve up in generous amounts to your children daily. What do you say to your kids when they deserve a pat on the back?

German Mom writes a bilingual book: An Interview with Ulrike Rylance (English translation)

Sarah Mueller sat down with Ulrike Rylance and chatted about her new bilingual book, Wo ist Hawaii, and her strategies for bilingual success with her daughters.

The original interview was conducted in German. This is the English translation.

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Sarah: Thank you again for your time!

Ulrike: No problem.

Sarah: I read through the book this morning; it is beautiful!

Ulrike: Oh thank you. I sent you the CDs as well, right?

Sarah: Yes, right. I have them. So how did you come up with the idea to write the book?

Ulrike: Well, I wanted… I write other stories anyway, for children and for adults, but I really wanted to make something that was bilingual. I find that there’s just too few out there. I wrote it first in German, the poem, and wanted to make something that was a little international. With things that are bilingual, you have to make sure that the themes transcend countries, I mean, that it’s not just purely German or purely American. Then I came up with the idea of the trip and I wrote it first in German and just translated it into English. My friend is an illustrator and she told me she’d do it, and that’s how it originated.

Sarah: Wow, super! I really like the part at the end with the questions and the map – that’s great. I thought, “Oh, I need to get my map” but then I found it, already there.

Ulrike: Yes, that is for younger children, so that they can get an idea of what the world map is like, you know, and where it actually is and how they swam there and what they did wrong.

Sarah: Cute! And it rhymes so nicely as well.

Ulrike: Yes. My friend already had the idea that we should maybe a second part sometime. Up to now they’ve only seen half of the world, actually. There’s still China, India, a whole other corner of the world, and you could send them there.

Sarah: Maybe they could finally reach Hawaii! (laughing)

Ulrike: Yes, exactly.

Sarah: The poor things. Yeah, a second book would be nice.

Ulrike: And the CD, someone told me that it would be a good idea, so the kids can, so to speak, “read” along, you know, and can turn the pages and take it in the car… That’s why we made the CD.

Sarah: Yeah, that is your daughter on it, right?

Ulrike: Yes, Lizzy reads the German, and the illustrator’s daughter, Randi’s daughter, she reads the English.

Sarah: Oh, okay. And how old is your daughter?

Ulrike: She is eleven. She’s just turned eleven.

Sarah: She speaks such beautiful German.

Ulrike: Oh, thank you.

Sarah: How does it work in your family at home? Do you all speak German together? Or German and English?

Ulrike: Well, my husband doesn’t speak German. My husband is English; we actually lived first in England. He can’t say anything [in German]. I actually have always spoken German with the kids from the beginning, everywhere, and they have just learned it. In the meantime, when he’s around, we speak English of course, but as soon as I’m alone with them, I speak in German with them. When they were younger, I mostly said everything twice – I would say something in German and then say “Now we need to say that again in English because Daddy doesn’t understand us!” That’s basically how it’s unfolded, yeah.

Sarah: Okay, and have the children lived in Germany before or have they been in Seattle the whole time?

Ulrike: Oh, they have never lived in Germany. We were in London for the first four years and than since 2001 we’ve been in America. But we travel often back home to my parents, about twice a year, and that helps. My daughter has a German pen pal as well. I encourage that a bit, that she keeps that relationship. Do you have children?

Sarah: Yes, I have three kids, three sons. The oldest is eight, then one who is five and one is two now. My husband is German and I am American – we try to speak German and English. Partially more English than German, but they understand everything and they always speak German with the youngest. He speaks it very nicely actually, very great. When they want to talk to him they speak German but when they talk to me they speak English. They are comfortable with that. But it will come. We’re working on it.

Ulrike: I think when they are around 12 and have learned it well then they won’t lose it. They see a reason to learn it as well, you know, because they love Germany and they love German food, and they love Grandma and Grandpa and the German swimming pools… They like to go there when they can, so they have an incentive, you know? If we never traveled there, they would probably eventually ask, why do we do this?

Sarah: Yes, exactly, but they have good memories and a good relationship with it. So, what was – a question that my customers always ask – What was the biggest challenge in raising the two children bilingually? What do you find was the hardest?

Ulrike: Well, I haven’t actually had many challenges, but I know for many it’s the Tatsache of just being consistent, that you always speak German, even when in the moment you don’t like it. For example, at the playground or in the grocery store, when you immediately give away that you’re a foreigner. Many who live in America want to integrate and appear to be American. And as soon as you speak to your children loudly in German, everyone knows it. So, I think it’s a problem for some, and then they cut back and forth between the languages, and as soon as they do that, it is in principle, lost. Because the children see that and they don’t learn that they should speak German. I have seen some cases where it didn’t work because the parents just didn’t stay consistent.

Sarah: So, just staying consistent and then…

Ulrike: Yeah, I know that as we lived in England… they have a little bit different relationship to Germans, and it wasn’t as easy there to stay consistent and speak German everywhere.

Sarah: Really? It was harder in England then?

Ulrike: Yes, they are a little more – well, in America they are actually very open to all nations. I wouldn’t say that they are hostile there [in England], I wouldn’t go that far – but it’s a little bit different atmosphere. I know I man in England who had a 14-year-old daughter who once told him he shouldn’t speak to her in that stupid language, it was embarrassing her.

Sarah: Oh, no! That’s too bad!

Ulrike: And they live in Wales where there just aren’t any other Germans and it was terribly uncomfortable for her that her father spoke to her in this stupid language. So, that’s what I mean, you know? That’s definitely a reason for some to give up speaking German, I think.

Sarah: Luckily we don’t have that here. In my experience it’s always positively accepted.

Ulrike: Yeah, it is a little different here. At any rate, in Germany it’s the opposite, I would say. When the children speak English they are excited, it’s even more positive actually.

Sarah: It’s supported there. Can your children read and write as well? Well, obviously that can read already, right?

Ulrike: They read, yes. The older one, Lizzy, she reads German books – a little lower level than what she reads in English, but it’s also a little more strenuous for her, it’s not as relaxing, but she does it anyway. She’s begun to read Cornelia Funke’s Tintentod. But she’s not so good at writing yet. She writes like Pippi Longstocking. (laughing) But I have to say, I don’t think about it much. I think when she can read and speak German then she can take a course to learn to write later when she’s a little older. Then she’ll have that as well. I must say that’s it’s more important to read and speak. The younger one, she has just learned to read in English, she is just in first grade.

Sarah: And how old is she?

Ulrike: She’s seven.

Sarah: One is seven and the other is eleven, right? Yeah. Do you think you will go back to Germany sometime? I mean, move back? Or are you staying here…?

Ulrike: I don’t think so actually. As I said, my husband doesn’t speak a word of German – that would be a huge adjustment for us and he would probably go back to England, but I don’t think that I’d necessarily want to go there. All in all, we will probably stay here. Well, you don’t know for sure, I would never say “never”. It’s not in our plans, I’ll say that much.
Sarah: I understand. And there are many Germans in Seattle, in the area.

Ulrike: Yes, actually. That’s why it’s not so urgent for me to go back home.

Sarah: I think I’ve asked all my questions. Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Ulrike: Well, no. I just hope that people like it.

Sarah: Oh, yes, I wanted to ask that – What’s the reaction to it? Have you already sold many books in the area?

Ulrike: Yes, we have sold some here in Seattle in the schools. I presented the book at the German kindergarten in the ABC-Schule. Overall positive reactions – it’s so nice, a good idea, cute. Many also have said that they also think that there’s not enough bilingual books. And that’s true. I think there are some in Germany, some paperbacks and novels, for when the children are a little older, around 10, that are written in the two languages – German and English. But I haven’t seen many for younger children that maybe have a German-speaking father and an English-speaking mother.

Sarah: That’s true.

Ulrike: You probably know that, you have a book store. Do you have any? Any others like this?

Sarah: I have a few - “Kleiner Eisbär” that you can buy. The Nord-Süd Verlag has many bilingual books, but they are more picture books for language courses. This [book] is a little smaller but also nice and long. That’s nice that’s it’s not over in two minutes. I like that.

Ulrike: We just thought… in my personal opinion, children learn language better through rhymes. They learn so many things through songs. My children have learned many songs and have learned better through them. That’s why I wrote the story in rhyme. That way that can memorize it and say it along with [the CD]. The rhythm and melody of it makes a difference.

Sarah: I think so too. So, as we said, another one, right? Hawaii, number two. Then I will buy that as well!

Ulrike: I already think that we’ll make another one. I’m also working with a friend on one about a snowman. Maybe we’ll have that ready before next Christmas. It’s also in German/English and in rhyme. It’s about a snowman looking for a wife. It’s also a little of a overarching theme. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with Christmas; more about winter. It’s intended for all countries.

Sarah: Nice! Once again, thank you for your time. I will be putting the book on the website in the next few days and then hopefully I can order some more!

Ulrike: Thank you.

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Bilingual Families Wanted!

We are always looking for new families to interview! It's quick, painless, and lots of fun! Plus, we'll send you a free book for participating. If you'd like to be interviewed on our blog, please send an e-mail to thea (at) alphabet-garten.com .

German Mom writes a bilingual book: An Interview with Ulrike Rylance

Sarah Mueller sat down with Ulrike Rylance and chatted about her new bilingual book, Wo ist Hawaii, and her strategies for bilingual success with her daughters.

Note: the interview was conducted in German. You can read an English translation here.

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Sarah: Also, vielen Dank nochmal für die Zeit!

Ulrike: Ja, es ist kein Problem, kein Problem.

Sarah: Ich habe heute Morgen das Buch durchgelesen; es ist so schön geworden!

Ulrike: Ach, danke, ja. Die CDs habe ich auch mitgeschickt?

Sarah: Ja, genau. Die habe ich. Wie bist du auf die Idee gekommen, das Buch zu schreiben?

Ulrike: Ich schreibe sowieso noch andere Geschichten, für Kinder und auch Erwachsene, aber ich wollte gern was machen was zweisprachig ist, weil ich finde, dass es einfach zu wenig gibt. Ich habe das erst auf Deutsch geschrieben, das Gedicht, und wollte gern was machen, was ein bisschen international ist. Bei diesem zweisprachlichen Sachen da muss man immer aufpassen, dass die Themen irgendwie so Länder überkreisend sind, also, dass es nicht nur was rein Deutsches ist oder was rein Amerikanisches ist. Dann bin ich auf die Idee mit der Reise gekommen und dann habe ich es auf Deutsch geschrieben und dann einfach ins Englische übersetzt. Meine Freundin ist Illustratorin und hat also auch gleich gesagt sie macht mit, und das ist also entstanden.

Sarah: Wow, super! Ich mag das ganz am Ende mit den Fragen und mit der Karte... das ist prima. Ich habe auch am Anfang gedacht, ich muss meine Karte holen und dann habe ich die im Buch gefunden, schon dabei.

Ulrike: Ja, das ist für kleinere Kinder, dass sie ein bisschen, so eine Vorstellung bekommen, wie die Weltkarte ist, weißt du, und wo das überhaupt ist und wie sie (die Charaktere) so dann da lang geschwommen sind und was sie falsch gemacht haben.

Sarah: Süß! Und es reimt sich auch so schön.

Ulrike: Ja. Meine Freundin hat jetzt schon die Idee aber vielleicht noch einen zweiten Teil irgendwann machen, denn sie haben eigentlich also nur die Hälfte der Welt bis jetzt gesehen. Gibt’s da noch China, Indien, diese ganze andere Ecke dahinten, da könnte man sie noch mal hinschicken.

Sarah: Vielleicht können sie endlich Hawaii erreichen.

Ulrike: Ja, genau.

Sarah: Die Armen. Das wäre schön. Das stimmt.

Ulrike: Und mit der CD, hatte mir jemand gesagt, dass es eine gute Idee ist, wenn die Kinder sozusagen, mitlesen können, und dann immer die Seiten umblättern können im Auto oder so und deswegen haben wir die CD gemacht.

Sarah: Ja, das ist deine Tochter drauf, na?

Ulrike: Ja, die Lizzy liest das Deutsche, und die Tochter von der Illustratorin, von der Randi, liest dann das Englische

Sarah: Also, okay. Und wie alt ist denn deine Tochter?

Ulrike: Sie ist elf. Sie ist jetzt elf geworden.

Sarah: Sie spricht so schönes Deutsch.

Ulrike: Ach, danke.

Sarah: Und wie geht es denn bei Euch in der Familie? Spricht ihr denn alle Deutsch zusammen? Oder Deutsch und Englisch?

Ulrike: Also, mein Mann spricht überhaupt kein Deutsch. Mein Mann ist Engländer, wir haben erst in England gewohnt, und der kann überhaupt nichts sagen. Ich hab' eigentlich immer mit den Kindern immer nur Deutsch geredet also, von Anfang an, und überall, und dadurch haben sie es einfach gelernt. Mittlerweile wenn er dabei ist, redet man naturlich Englisch, aber sobald ich mit ihnen alleine bin, rede ich mit ihnen Deutsch. Als sie klein waren, habe ich meistens “doppelt” gesagt – dann habe ich meistens erst auf Deutsch gesagt und dann habe ich gesagt "Jetzt müssen wir das nochmal auf Englisch sagen weil Daddy uns nicht versteht!" Es hat sich einfach so ergeben.

Sarah: Okay, und haben die Kinder dann auch mal in Deutschland gewohnt oder sind sie die ganze Zeit in Seattle dann?

Ulrike: Sie haben also nie in Deutschland gewohnt. Wir waren erst in London die ersten vier Jahre und seit 2001 sind wir in Amerika. Aber wir fahren ziemlich oft nach Hause zu meinen Eltern, so zweimal im Jahr, das hilft natürlich. Meine Tochter hat auch eine deutsche Brieffreundin. Also, ich verziere das ein bisschen, dass das Verhalten bleibt. Hast du denn auch Kinder?

Sarah: Ja, ich habe drei Kinder, drei Söhne. Der Älteste ist acht (Jahre alt), dann einer der ist fünf und einer der ist jetzt zwei. Mein Mann ist Deutscher und ich bin Amerikanerin – wir versuchen Deutsch und Englisch zu reden Teilweise mehr Englisch als Deutsch, aber sie verstehen alles und sie reden Deutsch immer mit dem Kleinen. Der kann das ganz schön eigentlich, ganz toll. Wenn sie mit ihm reden wollen dann sprechen sie Deutsch, aber dann wenn sie mit mir reden dann sprechen sie nur Englisch. Sie sind so gewohnt. Das kommt noch. Wir arbeiten daran.

Ulrike: Ich denke mal wenn so sie auch ungefähr bis zum zwölf sind und gut gelernt haben, dann verlieren sie es auch nicht mehr. Sie sehen halt auch einen Sinn darin, das zu lernen, weißt du, weil sie Deutschland lieben und sie lieben das deutsche Essen und sie lieben Oma und Opa und die deutschen Schwimmbäder… Sie fahren gern dahin wenn sie können – da haben sie auch einen Anreiz, weißt du? Wenn wir jetzt nie dahin fahren würden, würden sie sich iregendwann fragen warum das Ganze aber…

Sarah: Ja, genau, dann haben sie gute Erinnerungen daran und ein gutes Verhältnis. Dann eine Frage von meinen Kunden dass immer wieder kommt: Was war die größte Schwierigkeit, also die zwei Kinder zweisprachig zu erziehen? Also, was findest du am schwierigsten?

Ulrike: Also, ich habe eigentlich nicht so viele Schwierigkeiten gehabt, aber ich weiß dass es für viele, ist es die Tatsache dass man einfach konsequent bleiben muss, dass man immer Deutsch reden muss, auch wenn es in dem Moment nicht so gefällt. Zum Beispiel auch auf dem Spielplatz oder im Supermarkt, weil man sich dann sofort immer outet als Ausländer, weißt du, und viele die jetzt in Amerika leben sie wollten sich auch integrieren und als Amerikaner anscheinen. Und in dem Moment wo mann laut mit den Kindern Deutsch redet, wissen natürlich alle. Also, ich weiß dass das für einige ein Problem ist, und dass sie dann inzwischen den zwei Sprachen hin und her schnitten und in dem Moment wo man das macht ist es im Prinzip schon verloren, weil dann die Kinder das sich einsehen dass sie Deutsch lernen, dass sie Deutsch sprechen sollen. Ich habe auch einige Fälle gesehen wo es nicht geklappt hat, weil die Eltern halt nicht konsequent geblieben sind.

Sarah: Also, einfach konsequent sein und dann –

Ulrike: Ja, ich weiss zum Beispiel als wir im England gewohnt haben… Sie haben ein bißchen anderes Verhältnis zu den Deutschen, da war es nicht so einfach dann immer konsequent zu bleiben und überall Deutsch zu reden.

Sarah: Wirklich? Das war schwieriger dann im England?

Ulrike: Ja. Im Amerika sind sie sehr offen gegen überallen Nationen eigentlich, ich würde nicht sagen dass sie dort Deutsch feindlich sind, so weit würde ich nicht gehen… aber ein bißchen andere Atmosphäre. Ich kenn’ einen Mann in England, der hat ein 14-jähriges Tochter, die hat einst ihm gesagt, er soll nicht mehr in diesen bescheuerten Sprache mit ihr reden, es würde ihr peinlich.

Sarah: Oh, nein! Schade!

Ulrike: Und sie wohnen in Wales wo es gibt halt nicht andere Deutsche und es war ihr furchtbar unangenehm als Teenager, dass ihr Vater dann in dieser bescheuerten Sprache mit ihr redet. Also, sowas meine ich. Das ist sicher für Einige einen Grund aufzuhören, Deutsch zu reden..

Sarah: Zum Glück haben wir das hoffentlich nicht. In meiner Erfahrung ist hier das immer positiv akzeptiert worden

Ulrike: Ja, es ist ein bisschen anders hier. In Deutschland ist es sowieso umgedreht, sage ich mal, wenn die Kinder Englisch reden sind sie ganz begeistert, noch positiver eigentlich.

Sarah: Es wird da unterstutzt. Können deine Kinder denn auch lesen und schreiben? Offentsichlich lesen können sie schon.

Ulrike: Also, sie lesen ja, die große, die Lizzy, sie liest also deutsche Bücher - ein bisschen niedriger Niveau als das was sie auf Englisch liest und es ist auch ein bisschen anstrengender für sie also es ist nicht ganz so entspannend aber sie macht trotzdem. Also, sie hat, glaube ich, Cornelia Funkes Tintentot angefangen. Aber das Schreiben das ist noch nicht so gut. Sie schreibt wie Pippi Langstrumpf. (lacht) Aber ich muss sagen, ich mach mir nicht so viele Gedanken. Ich denke wenn man Deutsch lesen und sprechen kann dann macht sie irgendwann mal ein Kurs, wenn sie ein bisschen grösser ist. In dem sie Deutsch schriebt. Dann hat sie das auch. Dass sie das Lesen beibehält und das Sprechen ist eigentlich wichtiger. Die Kleine, sie hat jetzt gerade Englisch lesen gelernt, also sie liest… Sie ist erst in der ersten Klasse.

Sarah: Und wie alt ist sie denn?

Ulrike: Sie ist sieben.

Sarah: Die Eine ist sieben und die Andere ist elf, stimmt? Ja. Was für Fragen habe ich noch hier? Meinst du dass du einmal wieder nach Deutschland gehst? Also, umziehst? Oder seid ihr denn hier...?

Ulrike: Ich glaube eigentlich nicht. Also, wie gesagt, mein Mann kein Wort deutsch redet … das wäre wahrscheinlich für uns eine riesengroßen Umstellung und dann würde wahrscheinlich er zurück nach England gehen, aber da würde ich nicht unbedingt hingehen wollen. Alles zusammen genommen, würden wir wahrscheinlich hier bleiben. Man weiss nicht, ich würde nie "nie" sagen. Wir haben es nicht im Plan, sage ich es mal so.

Sarah: Ich verstehe. Und es gibt viele Deutsch in Seattle da, in der Gegend.

Ulrike: Ja, eigentlich. Deswegen ist es nicht so brennend dass ich unbedingt nach Hause muss.

Sarah: Ich glaube, ich habe alle meine Fragen jetzt gefragt. Gibt da noch etwas, was du sagen möchtest?

Ulrike: Also, nein. Ich hoffe nur dass es den Leuten gefällt..

Sarah: Oh, ja, das wollte ich noch fragen... Wie ist der Reaktion dazu? Hast du viele Bücher schon verkauft in der Gegend? In der Nähe?

Ulrike: Ja, wir habe ja hier in Seattle in der Kinderschule, da haben wir Solche verkauft. Ich war in dem deutschen Kindergarten in der ABC-Schule und habe das Buch mal vorgestellt. Gründlich eigentlich positiv – schön, gute Idee, niedlich. Viele haben auch gesagt dass sie auch der Meinung sind, es gibt nicht genüg zweisprachige Bücher. Stimmt das auch. Ich glaube es gibt in Deutschland, wenn sie ein bisschen grösser sind, die Kinder, so ab 10, gibt's denn so Taschenbücher und Romane die sind so zweisprachig geschrieben – Deutsch und Englisch. Aber für so kleinere Kinder die vielleicht ein Deutscher Vater, Englische Mutter haben, habe ich nicht so viel gesehen.

Sarah: Das stimmt.

Ulrike: Das musst du auch wissen, du hast denn eine Buchladung. Hast du auch mehr solche Sachen?

Sarah: Ich habe ein Paar – es gibt so “Kleiner Eisbär”, das kann man kaufen. Die ganze Nord-Süd Verlag, sie haben viele zweisprachige Bücher, aber sie sind so richtig Kurse Bilderbücher. Ein bisschen kleiner und auch so schön lang. Das gibt’s eigentlich dabei, das ist nicht also in zwei Minuten fertig. Das finde ich gut.

Ulrike: Wir haben auch halt gedacht, das ist, weil ich persönlich auf der Meinung bin, durch Reimen lernen die Kinder sowieso besser, die Sprache. Also, sie lernen viele Sachen durch Lieder. Meine Kinder haben viele Lieder und sowas gelernt, dadurch bringt es so besser ein. Deswegen habe ich auch diese Geschichte in Reimform gehalten. Das können sie besser auswendig lernen und mitsprechen irgendwie. Macht diese Rhythmus, diese Melodie macht, das macht doch ein Unterschied, ja.

Sarah: Genau, glaube ich auch. Okay, ja, wie gesagt, noch ein zweites, na? Hawaii, nummer zwei. Dann kaufe ich das auch.

Ulrike: Ich denke schon dass wir noch eins machen würden. Ich habe noch vor, mit einer Freundin eins über ein Schneemann zu machen. Vielleicht haben wir das vor nächsten Weihnachten fertig. Das ist auch auf Deutsch/Englisch, und mit dem Reimen, von dem Schneemann der sich eine Frau sucht, also. Das ist auch so ein bisschen ein überkreisendes Thema. Hat nicht unbedingt was mit Weihnachten zu tun, aber einfach mit Winter und so. Das ist für alle Länder geeignet.

Sarah: Noch mal vielen Dank für deine Zeit. Ich veröffentlich jetzt das Buch in den nächsten paar Tagen auf der Website und dann hoffentlich kann ich bald wieder neue Bücher bestellen.

Ulrike: Ich danke dir.

Sarah: Also, vielen Dank nochmal für die Zeit!

Ulrike: Ja, es ist kein Problem, kein Problem.

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Wo ist Hawaii is available through Alphabet Garten with and without accompanying CD. Ulrike Rylance's website is http://www.bilibooks.com

Announcing Free Return Shipping

Have you ever purchased something only to find out it wasn't quite right? Maybe the German CD you picked was too hard to understand or the book was too babyish for your child.

With our new 90 day, no questions asked return policy with FREE return shipping, you don't have to worry about getting stuck with the German books, music and DVDs that aren't right for your family. Even if you've already listened to a CD, read a book, or watched a DVD, you can still return it - no questions asked!

I stand behind our selection of German materials 100% - now you can see the proof.

See more information or to find out how to request a prepaid return shipping label.

Viel Spaß beim Lesen!

Alle lieben Knut (Everyone loves Knut)

In my previous post about books with animal photos, I got the recommendation to order a book about Knut, the little polar bear at the Berlin zoo. I now have Alle lieben Knut in stock and boy, is it adorable!


When Knut was born, he was too small and his mother couldn't take care of him. He was adopted by a human and raised at the zoo. Knut loves to play with balls, take an icy dip in his polar swimming pool, and like all busy little ones, ends up in a heap for a nap.



My two year old son goes crazy over this book. I guess there's something about polar bear cubs that is irresistably cuddly. I also like the big print in this book - great for beginning readers.

I highly recommend Alle lieben Knut for the bear-lovers in your family.

Brooklyn Bilingual Information Session

For those of you in the NYC area, Angela Long is organizing a bilingual family information session. Alphabet Garten is proud to be a co-sponsor.

Here are the details:

Join other like-minded parents for a discussion with a panel of local bilingual experts and special guest Barbara Zurer Pearson, author of “Raising a Bilingual Child.”

Information and practical advice about how to raise kids bilingually will be shared, followed by Q&A and Wine & Cheese.

Saturday, March 7, 2009
4pm – 5:30pm
Playspace @ Christ Church Cobble Hill
326 Clinton Street at corner of Kane
$10 advance registration, $15 at the door.*

Register online at: http://languagekids.eventbrite.com
* All proceeds go towards covering expenses.
This Is a Parents Only event – please, no kids!!
For more info, contact Angela Long at (917) 609-9899 or languagekids@earthlink.net
Barbara will be signing copies of her book

Have fun!

Web/Graphic designer needed

We'd like to hire a graphic designer/web designer for some updates to our website and print materials.

You should be familiar with CSS, DHTML, and your design software of choice. Familiarity with version control software is a plus. Knowledge of German is not required.

This will be an independent contractor position averaging from just a few up to 15 hours a month.
If you're interested, please send a note along with a link to your portfolio and desired compensation to smueller @ alphabet-garten.com. Thanks for your interest!

- Sarah

Wo ist Hawaii?

Wo ist Hawaii? We were on a journey tonight to find out. I was lucky enough to spend some time today interviewing Ulrike Rylance, mother to 2 bilingual girls and author of the new bilingual book, Wo ist Hawaii? (Check back next week for the interview itself.)


My 4 year old saw me posting the book on the homepage and immediately wanted to hear it himself. He loved the flowly ocean-y illustrations and rhyming text. I love the mini geography lesson built into the story and the CD which will allow him to listen to it over and over and over. He likes to do that - hmm - maybe I should keep two...

Ulrike has posted the full version on YouTube - how cool is that?

So my work tonight is complete. Max? He's drifted off to sleep to sounds of Wo ist Hawaii?

Wo ist Hawaii? is available in paperback and as a book /read-along CD combination.

New Unit Studies - What would you like to see?

The response to our (free) St. Martin's Day and St. Nikolaus Day unit studies was tremendous. It's really exciting to see people going the extra mile to explore German language, culture and traditions with their kids.

I'm itching to get some new unit studies underway for you! But what would you like to see? What topics would you like to explore with your children? Maybe nature in the spring? How about Easter? Fussball? (I'll definitely need to bring in outside help on that one!)

Leave me a comment with your ideas and if we pick your topic, I'll send you the book of your choice up to $20. :)

- Sarah

Request your free bookmark

If you've ordered Kinderbücher lately, you already are acquainted with our very own Booky.


If you haven't placed an order lately, then now's your chance to get your own free Booky, the Bücherwurm. Created just for us by the very talented Anne Jaeger of Seattle, Booky is a cute little bookworm who just loves to wiggle up and read books with you. Let Booky make your German reading times just a little more special.

We'd love send you your very own Booky bookmark! Just send an email with your name, address, and whether you've ordered before to booky@alphabet-garten.com. Since he fits into an envelope, Booky can go anywhere in the world so it doesn't matter where you are - just send us a note and we'll mail him off to you. Plus the first 5 people to request their own Booky will get a free Pixi book.

Viel Spaß beim Lesen!
Sarah

Wunderschöne Tiergeschichten (Beautiful Animal Stories)

Kids love stories with real photographs in them and this sweet book, Wunderschöne Tiergeschichten (Beautiful Animal Stories), totally delivers. Follow Rika, the fawn as she goes on an outing in the woods. Fips, the little squirrel, has a birthday. Lasse, the little fox, likes to play. And Flocke, the little foal, has a human friend.



Four short stories make this sturdy hardcover a great value.
Recommended for beginning German speakers ages 4 and up.

Wunderschöne Tiergeschichten by Kerstin Hug

Alle seine Entlein - the unusual story of a fox and his ducks

What a funny story this is! Konrad, a very hungry fox, plans to "get to know" a duck sitting on an egg in her nest. The duck manages to escape in a flutter of feathers and quacking and Konrad is left with the egg. He decides to take it home to make scrambled eggs. Just as he's getting ready to eat, a little duckling hatches out of the egg. So begins a long and unusual friendship.

"Ich hab's!"
Vor Freude hob Konrad das Entchen hoch, das sich nitfreute.
"Dich fress ich später, wenn du dick und rund wie ein Luftballon bist."
Und weil er gerade an luftballons dachte, warf er das Küken hoch und fing es wieder auf, was dem noch mehr gefiel.

At first, Konrad decides to wait until Lorenz, the duckling, is a bit bigger - if he eats it right away, he'll feel terrible and he'll still be hungry. But of course he grows to love the duckling and finds he can't bear to eat it. When the duck gets a bit older and falls in love with a duck named Emma, Konrad decides he will wait until Emma is a bit bigger (and juicier). Lorenz and Emma are sure to have a fight and then Konrad can eat Emma without breaking Lorenz' heart. So Emma moves in with them and they all grow to love one another as it should be in a family. A sweet story, sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet, and with a peaceful ending.

Colorful illustrations with tons of personality bring Konrad and the ducks to life. While some pages do have quite a bit of text, beginners in German should be able to get by with a bit of extra explanation. You may find it helpful to read the book in 2 sittings if it proves too long.

Recommended for German speakers, beginner level and up, ages 4 and up.

This book has been nominated for and won several prizes:
Nominiert für den Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreis 2008 (German Youth Literatur Prize)
Empfehlungsliste des Katholischen Kinder- und Jugendbuchpreises 2008 (Recommended List of Catholic Children and Youth Book Prizes)
LUCHS der ZEIT
Die besten 7 Bücher für junge Leser.

Alle seine Entlein by Christian Duda and Julia Friese

Watch out for the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

I have recently learned that a new law is taking effect on February 10, 2009. The Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CSPIA) requires lead testing and certification for all children's products. In a nutshell, this means that anything that any company sells for use by children under 13 must be tested for lead with a few exceptions for products made of wood and electronics. Including books, CDs and DVDs. Lead testing for books and CDs? Huh? Hefty fines are imposed for being found in violation of the law. I'm still waiting for further clarification as to the exact implications of this law for Alphabet Garten.

I asked my supplier in Germany if he had any information on whether German publishers test for lead in their products. He was flabbergasted at the question! His response? "Seit wann wird denn Blei für die Papierproduktion genommen?" (Since when is lead used in making paper products?) I'm sure it's not - that's just the point.

Lead testing is expensive. I've seen estimates from $100 to several thousand dollars per product. And the law requires each product to be tested! This is just not feasible for most small businesses to afford and consumers surely don't want to pay the price increases required to support this testing.

You will surely see a large impact across all kinds of small businesses who make products for children. Think of small businesses, sellers of handmade items (Etsy would cease to exist), and anyone who produces children's products in small quantities. They are all impacted and could potentially all be wiped out if the law takes effect as written.

As the mother of 3 children, I take lead and phalate poisoning very seriously. However, I think that this law is places such an unreasonable burden on small businesses and will be impossible to implement and police.

An excerpt from a Publisher's Weekly article:

Chip Gibson, president and publisher of Random House Children’s Books, goes further. “This is a potential calamity like nothing I’ve ever seen. The implications are quite literally unimaginable,” he said, noting that children’s books could be removed from schools, libraries and stores; nonprofit groups like First Book would lose donations; and retailers, printers, and publishers could ultimately go out of business. “Books are safe. This is like testing milk for lead. It has to be stopped.

See this post at Boutique Cafe for more information about this law and what you can do to help change it. I'll post more information as I come across it.

Closed until January 5 - in the meantime have some Glühwein

Alphabet Garten is closed until January 5 - all outstanding orders will ship at that time. We hope you are enjoying a peaceful end-of-year time with your family as we are with ours.

In the meantime, why not enjoy some tasty Glühwein (Erwachsene only please). Nathalie has a great recipe and a fun style of mixing German and English in her posts that I can relate to.

See you in the New Year!

Sarah

Frohe Weihnachten!

Photo by scottfeldstein

From the Muellers at Alphabet Garten, we wish you a Merry Christmas! Fröhliche Weihnachten!

In der Weihnachtsbäckerei

Photo: Kochtopf

Have you started your Christmas baking yet? Make it even more fun by baking with another friend or family. Learn new recipes and share the results of your baking. This requires a bit more preparation than baking by yourself though so here are a few things to consider in advance:

- Which cookies to make – some traditional cookies (Plätzchen) include Zimtsterne and anise cookies.

- Will you spend your time together mixing cookies, baking cookies or decorating?

- What ingredients are needed?

- What tools are needed? Pans, spatulas, mixers, etc.

Photo: Noema

While baking, enjoy a cup of Glühwein or Kinderpunsch, and pretend you are visiting one of the German Christmas markets. You can buy bottled Glühwein or Kinderpunsch, but it’s easy to make your own. The recipes are very adaptable so adjust them to fit your family. Here are two recipes for Kinderpunsch:

Kinderpunsch (1)

2 cups brewed herbal tea (I’ve used strawberry or hibiscus but experiment)

2 cups Cranapple juice

½ pkg of mulling spices from Simply Organic (or use cloves and cinnamon sticks)

Cook for 20-30 minutes. Serve warm.

The kids love it. It’s a beautiful red color and smells great.

Kinderpunsch (2)

2 cups brewed herbal tea

2 cups apple juice

Juice of one lemon

3 teaspoons honey (or to taste, we use less)

Brew tea for 10 minutes. Add other ingredients and reheat.

Then get settled, turn on your German Christmas music (we recommend Wir warten auf Weihnachten by Rolf Zuckowski), or read some Weihnachtsbücher and have fun.

Sing along with Rolf to “In der Weihnachtsbäckerei“:

In der Weihnachtsbäckerei

Music and Text: Rolf Zuckowski

In der Weihnachtsbäckerei

gibt es manche Leckerei.

Zwischen Mehl und Milch

macht so mancher Knilch

eine riesengroße Kleckerei.

In der Weihnachtsbäckerei,

in der Weihnachtsbäckerei.

Wo ist das Rezept geblieben

von den Plätzchen, die wir lieben?

Wer hat das Rezept verschleppt?

Na, dann müssen wir es packen,

einfach frei nach Schnauze backen.

Schmeiß den Ofen an -

und ran!

In der Weihnachtsbäckerei ...

Brauchen wir nicht Schokolade,

Honig, Nüsse und Sukkade

und ein bisschen Zimt?

Das stimmt.

Butter, Mehl und Milch verrühren,

zwischendurch einmal probieren,

und dann kommt das Ei -

vorbei!

In der Weihnachtsbäckerei ...

Bitte mal zur Seite treten,

denn wir brauchen Platz zum Kneten.

Sind die Finger rein?

Du Schwein!

Sind die Plätzchen, die wir stechen,

erst mal auf den Ofenblechen,

warten wir gespannt -

verbrannt.

In der Weihnachtsbäckerei …

Wir wünschen ein frohes Fest!

More Christmas Titles - Der Grinch

Note: this post was first published in 2007.

Have you seen the Grinch? Since The Cat in the Hat went out of print, this is one of the few Dr. Seuss titles in German remaining and a classic for Christmas. Oh, why didn't I stockpile Der Kater mit Hut when I had the chance? Oh well, at least we still have that stingy old Grinch to entertain. The translation is excellent and the rhyming is perfect.

An excerpt:

Der Grinch rief: "Hü hott!"

Dann ging's in die Tiefen

Zu den Häsern in der Stadt,

Wo die Hus friedlich schliefen.

Wie der Grinch Weihnachten gestohlen hat

Monday 2pm Deadline for Standard Shipping

Tomorrow Monday at 2pm is the deadline to order with standard shipping and get your packages by Christmas! And don't forget free shipping for orders over $100. View all holiday ordering deadlines.