The Best French Books For Kids
Kids’ books have long been an integral part of French culture. Many classic tales have endured through time and remain relevant as great reading material for today’s youngsters.
Children’s literature is an excellent tool for teaching your little one a new language and culture without having to travel far! It offers them the chance to expand their horizons without ever leaving home!
1. Le Petit Prince
In 1943, French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery published Le Petit Prince, a timeless tale about a young prince journeying the universe and gathering wisdom. It has since become one of the world’s most beloved and widely read books.
In this novella, a pilot who crashes in the Sahara desert meets a little prince. As they journey around the universe together, the young prince muses upon how adults can destroy innocence and imagination.
He laments the complexity of adult life and urges readers to never let that happen. Furthermore, this story serves as a great reminder that even adults can learn something from children – just a few reasons why this book has become one of the best French books for kids.
2. Poil de Carotte
Poil de Carotte, a classic French children’s novel, is beloved for its poignant portrayal of childhood. Following the tale of a freckled redheaded boy living in rural France with an oppressive mother and indifferent father, Poil de Carotte serves as a poignant reminder that human nature prevails.
Renard’s timeless novel-in-stories has been an influence to writers from Barthelme to Beckett and Sartre, offering a disturbing psychological study of young minds’ capacity for cruelty. It also manages to be charming, lyrical and heartbreaking all at once.
3. Five Little Bunnies
This enjoyable, rhyming book will help your toddler master the art of counting. The bunnies in this tale are identified as first, second and so on; children can clap or hop on each page to indicate which bunny is saying each letter.
The illustrations in this story are vibrant and reminiscent of the beloved picture book Five Little Pumpkins, making it ideal for Easter or springtime reading. Additionally, there is a multicultural cast of characters which young children will be sure to appreciate.
This classic French book will be beloved by both toddlers and older kids. With its straightforward language and captivating illustrations, it makes an excellent introduction to the French language for your youngsters.
4. Les Malheurs de Sophie
Are you searching for an entertaining and captivating book to read with your kids? Les Malheurs de Sophie is a great option. This classic French children’s book is based on the first novel of a trilogy written by the Countess of Segur in the 19th century.
This story follows a naughty girl as she gets into all kinds of trouble in her life, and it also serves as an account of children learning and developing as individuals. It’s one of the best french books for kids because not only does it impart important lessons, but it provides plenty of practice with language skills as well.
This book is an ideal choice for kids wanting to learn French, as well as parents trying to instill the importance of language learning in their children. It’s easy to read with straightforward phrases and beautiful illustrations, making it a great tool to instill in your kids the value of language proficiency.
5. Le Lion et le Ciel
Le Lion et le Ciel is one of the finest animated films to hit theaters in a decade. This well-made film features an excellent score performed by animal performers, plus classic French production homages galore.
This film was a big hit at my house. Although the animation is clunky and the storyline overdone, there are some stunning set pieces and locations. Best of all? The animals in this movie are real animals rather than CGI! This makes for some educational viewing as well as entertaining viewing for kids. While some may find the movie long, rest assured that your children will be laughing their heads off for most of it!
6. Les Enfants Terribles
Les Enfants Terribles is one of Jean Cocteau’s most powerful and iconic works, released as his second movie after the acclaimed Orpheus trilogy in 1989. Here he collaborated with director Jean-Pierre Melville to adapt Cocteau’s 1929 novel for screen.
As a novel, this is an odd and claustrophobic tale about two siblings playing fantasy games in an enclosed room. They become obsessed with their Game, even though it has no basis in reality.
This sibling rivalry is an iconic example of ‘incest’ – that powerful desire to feed off one another that cannot be broken. Paul (Edouard Dermithe) is a passive-aggressive and handsome boy while Elisabeth (Nicole Stephane) is an off-putting androgyne sister.
7. Le Petit Peppa Pig
Peppa Pig is a beloved preschool character that has been translated into over 40 languages and broadcast in 180 territories. With new episodes set for release between 2027-2028, this global phenomenon looks set to continue expanding exponentially.
Le Petit Peppa Pig is an engaging book for kids to learn French and practice their reading skills. Featuring some beloved “Peppa Pig” characters they already know and enjoy, Le Petit Peppa Pig serves as a great incentive to get them interested in literacy.
Another excellent option for French-speaking children is Code Lyoko, a show similar to Japanese anime. It involves an epic good versus evil battle with an AI unit and has French subtitles available on YouTube.
8. Le Petit Nicolas
Le Petit Nicolas is a French comic book series that follows the adventures of young Nicolas. He and his friends have many fun-filled adventures throughout their school days.
Jean-Jacques Sempe wrote the stories, while Rene Goscinny illustrated them. They make for an enjoyable read for children of all ages and are an ideal addition to any French language classroom.
They focus on the relationship between a child and his teachers, parents, and friends. Plus they include plenty of humorous remarks that wrap up happily with an upbeat message.
Characters in the story include Nicholas, his parents, teachers and administrators at school, as well as Nicholas’ friends. The teacher is dedicated to her job despite sometimes exasperating students.
9. Les Petits Ours Brun
Les Petits Ours Brun, or Little Brown Bear, is one of France’s most beloved children’s books. Initially featured in Pomme d’Api magazine, it has since been expanded into both a book and television cartoon series.
These stories draw from traditional French folklore but also draw inspiration from Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. A timeless classic that appeals to both children and adults alike, Les Miserables
The language is straightforward and easily comprehended, making them an excellent tool to help your child learn French. Furthermore, they come with visual elements which will aid in learning and memory retention of content faster.
10. Bonsoir Lune
This bilingual edition of the beloved bedtime story Goodnight Moon offers your child a chance to learn some French while having fun with an age-old favorite. It’s the perfect way to help your child develop language skills while they enjoy reading their favorite tale.
This beloved children’s book has been translated into many languages, imparting an important lesson about the value of being yourself.
It is an ideal book for young children, as it utilizes straightforward vocabulary and easy-to-understand language. Furthermore, it serves as a fun way to introduce them to French culture and geography.
This book is part of a popular series about Nicolas, a boy living an idyllic childhood. It’s filled with humor and plenty of character development – making it perfect for both kids and adults alike!