Paris is as magical a city to kids as it is to adults. You may think of it as a romantic city where fashion and food flourish, but the little ones see the French capital as a great place for adventure. And it's thanks to the charming children's books about Paris. Heartwarming stories like Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans and Babar Loses his Crown by Laurent de Brunhoff bring out the childlike charm of the destination. They give the young ones a new lens to see this city in a different light. So if you want to make your kids excited about Paris, read these books to them when it's time for bed!
Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
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In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. The smallest one was Madeline.' Published in 1939, Ludwig Bemelmans's '
Madeline' remains one of, if not the most popular children's franchises set in Paris. The books have been adapted into movies, TV series, and more. But what is it about this adorable red-haired heroine that continues to charm readers? It's that she is able to turn her seemingly mundane days in the French capital into exciting adventures. And of course, she meets new friends and helps people along the way!
Madame Martine by Sarah S. Brannen
From a little girl who turns Paris into her own playground to an elderly lady who refuses to visit the city's most iconic landmark. '
Madame Martine' by Sarah S. Brannen tells the heartwarming story of the eponymous madame who lives
near the Eiffel Tower. Though she's only a hop and a skip away from the famous attraction, she has never seen it in person. She merely sees it as a tourist trap and prefers to spend her days according to her set schedule. However, when a little dog names Max leads her to the tower, she begins to see it and the rest of Paris in a whole new light!
Adèle and Simon by Barbara McClintock
Barbara McClintock's '
Adele and Simon' also tells the story of Parisians and their life in the French capital. This time around, it's about two siblings, big sister Adèle and little brother Simon, who live in 1907 Paris, during the time of
La Belle Époque. Every single day, Adèle picks her baby sibling up from school and on the way home, the rambunctious little boy loses many of his things. '
Simon, please try not to lose anything today,” begs Adèle, but to her frustrations, Simon can't seem to help it. And because of that, what should be their normal days in Paris often become memorable journeys!
Babar Loses his Crown by Laurent de Brunhoff
What happens when an elephant king loses his crown in Paris? A hilarious tour of the city ensues! Laurent de Brunhoff's famous Babar visits the French capital in this part of the adorable monarch's story. Entitled '
Babar Loses his Crown,' the king of the elephants goes on a trip to Paris to see the city and take in the culture. But as soon as he arrives, he discovered that his precious crown got lost in a luggage mix-up. What's a ruler to do when he's expected to look his best at Opera? Search for his crown all over the
neighborhoods of Paris!
The Cat Who Walked Across France by Kate Banks and Georg Hallensleben
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The Cat Who Walked Across France' by Kate Banks and Georg Hallensleben is a little somber so you might want to just read this to your older kids instead. It tells the story of a wandering feline who travels all over France after his owner's passing. Packed up along with his late owner's possessions, he's taken away from his home and goes to all sorts of places. Eventually, of course, he ends up in Paris, the bustling capital that, while beautiful is perhaps not the best place for a kitty without an owner. But don't worry! After his many adventures, the cat who walked across France discovers a brand new home!
The Giraffe That Walked to Paris by Nancy Milton
From a cat who walked across France to '
The Giraffe That Walked to Paris,' many children's books about Paris certainly have exciting animal adventures in them, don't they? Written by Nancy Milton, it tells the story of the long-necked mammal who arrives in Marseilles by boat, travels to the many towns and cities of France, and ends up in the French capital. The story is set in 1826 and the titular giraffe came to the country as a gift from the pasha of Egypt to the King of France. He became the first-ever giraffe to ever visit and live in Europe!
If you're planning to go to Paris with your entire family, you'll want to read the most charming children's books about Paris to your kids. Not only will they feel more excited about the trip, but they'll likely fall in love with the city more than you had anticipated!
