When publishers keep a children’s book in print for a certain number of years it is called a classic, by the publishers themselves, of course, then by teachers and librarians, and sometimes by men and women who knew the book when they were young. Nicholas, by every criterion, from every point of view, has attained classical status, and is a much-needed reminder of the Entente Cordiale.
As Le Petit Nicholas, it was published first in France in 1960 by the appropriately named Editions Denoël. Now it is available in a chic and sturdily childproof new English edition, translated in ebullient vernacular by Anthea Bell, and manufactured, like almost everything else, in China.
Comments
T J
September 10th, 2008 7:43pmThis is a wonderful snippet from a collaboration of two of the greats of French humour. Sempe and Goscinny were masters of their art.
Cartoon or film, from the classic comedy sketches of Jacques Tati to 'Amelie', the best French humour is simply about the subtle observations of human life. 'Formidable, je pense.
Report this comment