Synopses & Reviews
Nicholas is the first of five books that bring to life the day-to-day adventures of a young school boy amusing, endearing and always in trouble.
An only child, Nicholas appears older at school than he does as home and his touchingly naive reactions to situations cut through the preconceptions of adults and result in a formidable sequence of escapades. This first book in the series contains a collection of nineteen individual stories where, in spite of trying to be good, Nicholas and his friends always seem to end up in some kind of mischief. In the school room, at home, and in the playground, their exuberance often takes over and the results are calamitous at least for their teachers and parents. Whether confusing the photographer hired to take the class picture, rescuing a "stray" dog, or trying desperately to help the teacher when the school inspector pays a visit, Nicholas always manages to make matters worse.
Review
"A favorite in France for decades, these 19 tongue-in-cheek tales...will elicit bursts of laughter from children and adults alike....Liberally endowed with Sempe's tiny, comic cartoon figures, these whimsical mini-adventures will captivate readers..." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"These charming vignettes beg to be shared aloud in a classroom or library setting. A delightful choice for spicing up middle-grade collections and for exposing kids to stories from abroad." School Library Journal
Review
"This gorgeous new cloth-cover volume of the French kids' classic is the perfect...gift for the child (8 to 12) who loves to read." Newsweek
Synopsis
Available to English-speaking children for the first time, this worldwide classic is one of a five-book series that brings to life the day-to-day adventures of a young school boy amusing, endearing, and always in trouble. Illustrations.
About the Author
Born in Paris, René Goscinny (19261977) lived most of his early years in Buenos Aires and New York. He returned to France in the 1950s where he met Jean-Jacques Sempé and together they created the character of Nicholas, the famous school boy. Goscinny later worked with Albert Uderzo on making the adventures of Asterix the Gaul. A prolific and internationally successful children's author, he is also the creator of Lucky Luke and Dingodossiers, among others. He received Cesars for his numerous animated cartoons.
Expelled from school for bad behaviour, Jean-Jacques Sempé (b. 1932) enjoyed a vast range of jobs including wine broker and supervisor at children's holiday camps. His world-renowned illustrations and cartoons are featured on the covers of the New Yorker magazine and amuse the readers of Paris Match and the Figaro Littéraire on a weekly basis.