Picture book of the week

Nicholas, by Goscinny and illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempe
2005, Phaidon Press, 136 pages
ISBN: 0714845299

My good friend and fellow book finder Caitilin accidentally bumped into this title at the library last week. Original copyright dates back to the 1950s, but it was reprinted in French in 2001 and this is a newly translated and recently published volume here in the USA.

The format is very kid-friendly with a sturdy hardcover and no jacket. It is a picture book, because well, it has pictures and it is a book-- but seriously it reads more like a chapter book. (The photo shows our Number Six enjoying it).

The author, and the reason we were both excited about this, is the same author (in partnership with illustrator Uderzo) of the wonderful and historical Asterix books.

The story follows little Nicholas an his adventures at home, at school and on vacation-- there are two or three other titles in the series.

From the Publisher:

Phaidon takes a sure step into the children's book arena with this entirely engaging volume, a winning combination of writing, translating and illustrating that gives youngsters a flavor of France (where it has been a bestseller since its 1959 publication). Goscinny's (Asterix) collection of 19 linked tales stars high-spirited narrator Nicholas, a French schoolboy who, along with his classmates, has a knack for landing in trouble. Seemingly quotidian situations in Nicholas's life yield riotous repercussions, as the incessant squabbling among the youngsters tends to result in a delightful domino effect, until events culminate in a comedic climax. A disastrous class photo session drives the photographer away before he snaps the shot, a pick-up soccer game sends the kids bickering about their positions until they're finally set (then realize they have no ball), and a new boy in class who doesn't speak English spouts the off-color language he has picked up from his peers. The hero's recurring references to several students function as humorous comic bits (such as Alec, "my friend who is fat and he likes eating" or Cuthbert, who "is top of the class and we're not crazy about him, but we can't hit him because he wears glasses"). New Yorker and Paris Match artist Sempé's droll line drawings reinforce the text's exuberance, and Bell's translation gives the narrative a wry British spin. And there's additional good news: the publisher has scheduled more Nicholas adventures for future release. Ages 9-12.