10 Best French Books For Kids

Are you looking for the best French books for kids?

Whether you’re planning to buy a present for your kids or want to practice your French reading comprehension skills – children’s books in French are your best bet. The simple, easy-to-understand language makes reading a fun and enriching experience.

10 Best French Books For Kids

If you’re looking for French books for kids, here is a list of the best and most popular children books from France.

1.Le Petit Prince/The Little Prince 

Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry 

Nearly every French person will tell you that the most famous children’s book in French history is “Le Petit Prince.” Adults, critics, and, of course, children all over the world praised this French novel when it was first published in 1943. 

The plot revolves around a young prince who is stranded on Earth after being thrown from a small asteroid. This is more of a school-age children’s book than a children’s book for toddlers.

The book’s beauty lies not just in its simple language and endearing illustrations, but also in the rich subtext that addresses social frailties and the strangeness of everyday life. 

It is France’s most extensively read, translated, and celebrated work. If you can’t get enough of the book and after you’ve brushed up on your French reading, you may continue to appreciate and learn more about this narrative.

Listen to it as an audio book, or better yet, watch it as a play, ballet, or movie.

2. Les Trois Mousquetaires/The Three Musketeers 

Author: Alexandre Dumas 

“Tous pour un et un pour tous!” is a popular expression that loosely translates to “All for one and one for all!”

It is the famous battle cry attributed to “Les Trois Mousquetaires,” a tale of comradeship, romance, and good old-fashioned dueling that is a worldwide favorite. It’s a favorite among kids who like action-adventure stories and a must-read for those learning French.

If you’re learning the language and are able to finish this story, you’re well on your way to reading fluently and enjoying the best of French literature!

3. Le Chat Botté/Puss in Boots 

Author: Charles Perrault 

Puss in Boots is a character from the Dreamworks animated film “Shrek.” You might be surprised to learn that this cool cat is French and goes by the name of Chat Botté. 

The book was written by 16th century author Charles Perraul, who also wrote Little Red Riding Hood, and Mother Goose, and made French adaptations of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.

Le Chat Botté is about an anthropomorphic cat who was given to a poor young man as a present. Puss, then, sets out to make him rich by deceiving the King and assisting his master in marrying the King’s daughter, a beautiful (and wealthy) princess.

Young readers will enjoy Puss in Boots’ cleverness while he makes his way through one adventure after another. 

4. Arsene Lupin 

Author: Maurice LeBlanc 

Arsene Lupin will appeal to children who adore mysteries like Sherlock Holmes. Arsene Lupin is a gentleman thief created by Maurice LeBlanc in the early twentieth century. The main character here, though, is not a detective but a gentleman thief.

Lupin is a clever and resourceful character who can change his appearance fast as he moves from one adventure to the next in a collection of short stories.

The series has become so famous that it has been adapted into an animated series and, recently, a Netflix series.

5. Petit Ours Brun/Little Brown Bear 

Petit Ours Brun, is a favorite among preschoolers. It started as a serial in the French magazine Pomme d’Api in 1975, before becoming a book and then a television cartoon series.

The story follows a three-year-old bear who, despite his first instincts, aspires to be a good little kid. The Petit Ours Brun series contains hundreds of stories, so your child will be delighted for hours.

6. Les Malheurs de Sophie/Sophie’s Misfortunes

Author: Sofiya Feodorovna Rostopchina, Countess of Ségur

The Countess of Ségur wrote a children’s book called Les Malheurs de Sophie, which translates to “Sophie’s Misfortunes.” The author was born Sofiya Feodorovna Rostopchina and became a countess when her husband was named a Peer (Comte) of France.

The book has since been reprinted numerous times since it was first published in 1858. During Napoleon III’s time as Emperor of France, the story is set in a castle in the French countryside. 

The main character Sophie is a mischievous and adventurous young girl who lives with her parents and enjoys causing mischief. Is it always possible for things to work out? To learn more, read the book.

7. La sorcière de la rue Mouffetard

Author: Pierre Gripari

This timeless tale tells of a witch who discovers a way to revert to childhood by eating a tiny girl with tomato sauce.

While “La sorcière de la rue mouffetard” is Pierre Gripari’s most well-known story, Les contes de la rue Broca” contains his other twelve fairy tales. They’re both classic reading material for French kids and entertaining reads for adults.

If you enjoy grim children’s stories or grew up watching reruns of Fractured Fairy Tales, you’ll enjoy Gripari’s series.

8. Le Petit Nicolas

Author: René Goscinny 

Le Petit Nicolas is one of the most renowned French children’s book series, illustrated by the great Jean-Jacques Sempé (you might recognize his designs from a New Yorker cover or two).

In many ways, the Petit Nicolas books are comparable to the Charlie Brown series. Both began as newspaper comics in the 1950s and continue to thrill fans around the world with their amusing characters.

9. Barbapapa

Authors: Annette Tison and Talus Taylor

Barbapapa is a blob-shaped figure who can change his shape in order to blend in with the other animals at the zoo.

Barbapapa quickly realizes, however, that by being exactly who he was created to be, he can make a positive contribution to society.

‘Barbapapa’ is an underrated gem in children’s literature, with an encouraging message. ‘Barbapapa’ eventually became a series, then adapted for television. 

10. Contes de la rue Broca/Stories of Broca Street

Author: Pierre Gripari

The stories of Broca Street contain 13 tales, each written by Pierre Gripari and illustrated by Claude Lapointe.

The most well-known of this series of French children’s books is La Sorcière de la rue Mouffetard, which translates to “the witch of rue Mouffetard.” Rue Mouffetard is a pedestrianized street lined with stores in the Latin neighborhood of Paris.

Each narrative has its own cast of characters, with some of them appearing in multiple chapters.

Are you looking for best books in French for adults? Check out this list of best books in French.