Nicholas and the Gang

Le petit Nicolas is the French version of Calvin and Hobbes, only not written in comic strip. It's a wonderful book every one in the French speaking world should read (at least one of the collection).

I was first exposed to Nicholas when my 7-year-old grandson received it as a Christmas gift and I had the wonderful opportunity of reading him a few chapters. I was hooked and have since given several of the Nicholas books as gifts. The main character is a delightful little boy with a close-knit group of friends. The antics are timeless and amusing to boys, as well as girls. Each short tale may be read independently of the others making it perfect bedtime reading. My school age grandchildren rate this series as one of their favorites.Adults will appreciate the beauty of the linen-textured covers with embedded metal Nicholas likeness. The cartoon-like drawings are works of art.

This book is funny, clever, happy, sad, and REAL We have the best time reading it out loud! It is about what it is really like to be a little boy. Read it in French if you can! There is a good translation out there too. But the original is unbeatable!

I spent the past year learning French and found this book at a local bookstore. It is HYSTERICAL! It has made learning and maintaining French truly an enjoyable experience. There is so much wonderful humor in this book. I am excited to learn there are more in the series. The situations are funny, nothing is too precious, the kids seem to act like real kids and those poor adults...! I wish I could find an English version to send to my nephew. This is great reading and if you disagree, je vous donnerai une claque!

I began reading the Petit Nicolas books while living in Paris. The stories are delightful and easy to read. They appeal to both children and adults. My 10 year old and my 15 year old love them as much as I do. While reading one of the books on the Metro, a fellow passenger made a point of commenting on the book and how much she had enjoyed it herself. Nearly everyone I met was familiar with these books. The series is a French classic, yet still pretty accurately depicts French school life as my sons experienced it.