Happy Birthday Asterix and Thank You Rene Goscinny

Today is the 50th anniversary of Asterix and Obelisk.  Happy Birthday guys!  For certain people this is a BIG deal.  It’s top news here in Spain and I am personally hoping to see some people, very large men specifically, celebrating by baring their man breasts and donning stripey trousers and wigs. I know weird.  I can’t explain it.

But the the thing for which I REALLY love René Goscinny (other than bringing us large men in high pants) is the result of one of his other collaborations with an illustrator, this time Jean-Jacques Sempé; the book series, “Le Petit Nicolas”, or, in English, Little Nicholas (published by Phaidon, who have a dedicated website to the series here).

I fell in love with Little Nicholas while reading the Spanish version to practise my Spanish.  I guessed it would be better than studying grammar exercises, and I was right. I CRIED with laughter all the time (see, that doesn’t happen when practicing verb conjugation) and I only understood about 50% of what I was reading.

Nicholas is constantly creating unintentional chaos and sending teachers, his parents, shop owners, school photographers and bystanders to the point of very entertaining states of despair and outrage.  His first person accounts of the conversations and arguments amongst his friends will keep you chuckling all the way through.  He’s a thoroughly enjoyable little character that actually make you hope that your child learns to be just a little bit naughty.  Parent or not, you should try and get your hands on this book series.  It’s the “Eloise” of boys’ books.  And if that doesn’t mean anything to you, I suggest you get on to Eloise as well (and also – are you kidding me? she’s AWESOME).

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