About this item
The Little Pim series uses immersion and interaction techniques to create an engaging and fun-to-watch language learning experience. Pim, an animated panda, is the series' main character who begins each learning section. Each introductory animated skit is followed by live-action footage of children engaged in everyday activities. Pim narrates these sections, and the French vocabulary words are circled as they are spoken, with a graphic overlay of the word for emphasis. The concepts transition well, with later lessons building on previous ones. The focus is on the first words typically acquired by children (e.g., bed, fork, fruit, I'm tired, etc.) . Each DVD teaches more than 60 new words and phrases arranged in five-minute episodes. The narration is clear, crisp, and easy-to-understand; the music is cheerful but not overpowering; and the visuals are colorful and vibrant. The parent guide contains general information on pandas and early language instruction. There are optional English subtitles. An entertaining introduction to very basic French vocabulary for preschoolers. This text refers to the French: Eating and Drinking DVD. --School Library JournalJulia Pimsleur Levine's Little Pim: Foreign Language and Fun language-immersion series follows the daily activities of the titular animated panda, presented here in French (with separate programs available in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese) . Comprised of seven five-minute episodes focused on foods, drinks, utensils, etc., Eating and Drinking combines clips of Little Pim engaged in activities ranging from hand washing to making a tall sandwich, coupled with real-life segments of youngsters and family members cooking and eating together. Featuring onscreen circling of specific items, as well as instant repetition, the program also includes optional English subtitles for words and phrases. With a projected 12 titles in 12 different languages slated for release over the next 18 months, this initial volume in a new language introduction series for toddlers and preschoolers is a promising start. Recommended. This text refers to the French: Eating and Drinking. DVD. --Video Librarian
About the Author
Little Pim was created by Julia Pimsleur Levine, a mom who grew up bilingual and was looking for fun ways to introduce her young son to the French language. When she discovered there were no high-quality videos or DVDs for teaching toddlers a foreign language, she decided to create them herself -- something for which she was uniquely qualified as a filmmaker, language teacher, and mother. Julia was inspired in part by having grown up in the language-teaching business. Her father, Dr. Paul Pimsleur, created one of the most popular and acclaimed audio language-teaching methods for adults. Creating Little Pim was her way of carrying on the family tradition of raising bilingual kids and sharing a love of learning with other families.
