Figure 1.--Rolicking adventure stories were very popular with French boys. One of the most noatable series was Signe de Piste. |
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We have very limited information on French's children's literature at this time. We are unsure if the French had periodical children's magazines as were so popular in
England. We have noted that a popular series of books in the 1950s and 60s for younger readers was Signe de Piste. These books seem more focuded on boys than girls
as they are primarily adventure stories. We also note many primary reading text books illustrated by Marcel Marlier. There were titles like Mary and Her Family and
Mary’s Holidays. These look rather like the American Dick and Jane readers. Hopefully our French readers will provide us more information on French children's
books.
We do not yet have very much information on French authors of children's books. We have some information on French books portraying children, but we do not yet have much information on authors involved or the authots that have written books specifically designed for children. The Countess de Ségur (1799-1871) is viewed by many as the greatest authors of children's stories in the French language. Her father was the Russian Count Rostopchine. He had burned Moscow when it was seized by Napoleon's Grand Army in 1812. He at first wanted to burn Paris, but instead lived there for nearly 10 years. His daughter married the Comte de Ségur. [Mansel] Quite a few authors wrote for Sige de Piste, including Paul Berna, Serge Dalens, Jean-Louis Foncine, Guy de Larigaudie, and Serge Dalens. Marcel Marlier is a well known author of children's books especially girls' books during the 1970s-80s. Paul-Jacques Bonzon was born on August 31, 1908 in Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont, Manche, in Normandy. He was a teacher and school director for 25 years. He
writes [? d?abord] books like "[? L?éventail] of Seville", "The promise of Primerose", etc. His books have been translated into 16 languages. Some of his books
have been adapted for television,
We do not yet have enough information on French children's literature to assess popular themes. We notice a variety of adventure stories, but fewer stories with sports and school themes compared to English children's literature.
We are unsure if the French had periodical children's magazines as were so popular in
England. We have noted that a popular series of books in the 1950s and 60s for younger readers was Signe de Piste. These books seem more focuded on boys than girls
as they are primarily adventure stories. We also note many primary reading text books illustrated by Marcel Marlier. There were titles like Mary and Her Family and
Mary’s Holidays. These look rather like the American Dick and Jane readers. Hopefully our French readers will provide us more information on French children's
While our knowledge of French children's literature is still limited, we have noted several important French illustarors that have left us with wondeful images of French children and the clothes that that they have worn over time. One of the most important is Pierre Jobert who specialized in Scouting. Maurice Boutet de Monvel was the most successful illustrator in France during the late 19th century. A French reader has suggested Michel Gourlier as an important French illustrator, but HBC at this time knows nothing about him. Hansi or Jean Jacques Waltz was born in Colmar, an Alsatian city that had just been annexed by Germany as a result of the Franco Prussian War. He has left us some wonderful images of Alsatian and French children in the late 19th and early 20th century--many with political overtones. Francisque Poulbot is one of the most famous French illustrators, especially illustrators of children. Poulbot is particularly known for his drawings of Paris street urchins. While not a major illustrator, Antoine de Saint Exupry, needs to be mentioned because of the importance of his one children's book, The Little Prince which he both wrote and illustrated.
We note quite a rich tradition of children's literature in France. Yet with the exception of a few books (The Little Prince and Madeline), French children's books are not well-known outside of the French speaking world. We wonder why this is. A French reader has provided his assessment. We have attempted to translate his interesting comments. If HBC readers care to improve on our translation, please do so.
Some children's literature is old all over the world. Other children's literature has a more limited national market. We do not yet fully understand the reasons behind this. We have begun to assess the marketing the export of French literature, especially the limited distribution in America. We hope to eventually eXpand this assessment.
Mansel, Philip. Paris Between Empires: Monarchy and Revolution, 1814-1852 (St. Martin's, 2003), 559p.
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