This article showcases our top picks for the Best French Children’s Books. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).
We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.
French Short Stories for Beginners by Lingo Mastery
This product was recommended by Mo Mulla from Parental Questions
French Short Stories for Beginners is a book of short stories from different genres for those learning the French language. It includes graded readers from children’s books to adult literature and poems and short stories by authors such as Marcel Pagnol, Albert Camus, and Pierre Sassard. It also includes conversations, crosswords puzzles, and exercises with audio recording where necessary. The book is best because it has a wide variety of reading levels that allow learners of different ages to find the most appropriate level. The audio recordings help learners keep up with their reading and aid comprehension.
La chèvre de M. Seguin by Alphonse Daudet
This product was recommended by Olivia Tan from CocoFax
Daudet tells the stories in first person, painting a picture of what his life is like now that he has left Paris and moved to Provence. Some of the stories are about his routines in southern France, while others are based on Provençal folktales. The French, and especially people from Provence, adore Les lettres de mon moulin for its depiction of local culture. Beloved Provençal author and filmmaker Marcel Pagnol made a film adaptation of Les lettres de mon moulin in 1954.
Comme un million de papillons noirs by Laura Nsafou
This product was recommended by Olivia Tan from CocoFax
This story is about Adé, who loves chocolate éclairs, asks lots of questions, and has beautiful curly hair. At school, the other children make fun of her hair, but Adé learns to be confident with the help of her mom and aunts. Laura Nsafou published a new children’s book in 2020 called Le chemin de Jada, which I also highly recommend.
Ciacio in the Amazon – by Sarah Khour
This product was recommended by Daniela Sawyer from FindPeopleFast
The story is about our little rabbit bear Ciaco who goes around the world through extraordinary places and makes him and the people he visits happy. So, he’s sharing his fascinating experiences through the book. The book makes you laugh and enjoy it a lot throughout. You will never be disappointed choosing this small fable.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
This product was recommended by Daniela Sawyer from FindPeopleFast
The book is among the No.1 bestsellers. It’s a fairytale that makes kids gape at each situation. So, there’s a witch to whom people of town offer their kids in terms of sacrifice. To save their city through it. By then, a kid is fed moonlight instead of starlight, which gives extra magical powers to the kid as it reaches 13.
A Boy Called Hope Pocket Book by Lara Williamson
This product was recommended by Daniela Sawyer from FindPeopleFast
The book is extraordinarily framed. It is the tale of Dan Hope, a man who wished for a plethora of exciting dreams, ranging from helping himself to helping Sherlock Holmes. It makes you drive crazy, maybe. Excellent children’s book for bedtime reading. They could ask wondering questions after you read, not because things in the book are ultimately wondering.
100 First Words for Toddlers by Jayme Yannuzzi
This product was recommended by Victoria Glass from Farr Institute
Suitable for kids aged 0-3 years and makes it simple for children to learn all kinds of new words in both English and French.
Carso Dellosa The 100 Series by Danielle Degregory
This product was recommended by Victoria Glass from Farr Institute
Good for grades 6-12 and covers French vocabulary, cultures, alphabets, and common phrases.
Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This product was recommended by Brigida Aversa from Tiny Hoppers
Le Petit Prince is a great french children’s book. This book explores profoundly existential questions and critiques how adults have lost their sense of imagination/capacity to wonder. In addition, this book addresses themes regarding loneliness, love and friendship. It is also filled with some great drawings!
Un Deux Trois by Opal Dunn
This product was recommended by Harriet Chan from CocoFinder
This book is good startup content for the children to learn French. There are 25 traditional rhymes in this compilation, and the kids can sing along, uttering the phrases with confidence. It is the Best French book for beginners. Learn a new language in a play-way method instead of injecting it forcefully. Through simple ways, the children can master this new language French. Begin with a few phrases, and later the length of the sentences increases to provide confidence in children. Explore this book, and it gives a better idea of learning French efficiently.
Les aventures de Tintin – Le Roman du Film by Herge
This product was recommended by Andréas Ruth B. Deolinda from Locke’_n_Words
Tintin is a smart and brilliant sharp-witted adventurer and reporter who travels the world with his beloved dog Milou (the English version calls him Snowy). The adventures they undercover often find them in hot water but there’s nothing Tintin cannot solve! It started off as a cartoon series but has now been adapted into a book. I would highly recommend it for children who love adventure and a good laugh.
Chasseurs de livres by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
This product was recommended by Andréas Ruth B. Deolinda from Locke’_n_Words
Emily is on a hunt to uncover hidden secrets through a game whose objective is to find clues hidden in books through puzzles. The trick is, these books are spread in different cities of the world a new mystery promises a great new adventure.
Le machine by Stéphane Servant
This product was recommended by Andréas Ruth B. Deolinda from Locke’_n_Words
More specifically aimed at children with fun-packed stories to entertain. Not to mention stunning illustrations