01. Pere Castor Series
Père Castor means "Uncle Beaver" in French and was also the pen name used by founder Paul Fauchet when telling stories to children. Each story follows Uncle Beaver explaining various things about the world to three young beavers (symbolizing children). The French fairy tale "Père Castor Collection" is a picture book series for children aged one to ten, first published by Flammarion in 1931. It was produced through a collaborative effort by a group of outstanding authors and illustrators from Japan and abroad. Setting itself apart from the lavishly bound picture books that had been given as gifts up until then, these books were offered at affordable prices with lightweight, easy-to-handle bindings that made them accessible to children. This style has influenced picture books around the world and is said to have served as the model for Japan's "Kodomo no Tomo" (Kodomo no Tomo) (Fukuinkan Shoten). This collection was groundbreaking in that it was created based on a clear educational philosophy, and in recognition of its achievement, it was registered as a UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2018.
02. Bayard press album
This luxuriously bound collection includes Bayard, a weekly children's magazine published by Bayard Presse from 1936 to 1962. It's like a collection of various comics and stories, including a wide range of works from contemporary picture books to historical comic collections, making it an essential part of French children's culture. Bayard Presse A major, historic French publishing group founded in 1870. They publish numerous nationally renowned magazines, such as Pomme d'Api, J'aime lire, and Okapi, known to every French child. It's said that one in two French children reads a Bayard Jeunesse magazine.
03. David et Marion
This is a story series that ran for a long time in the French children's magazine Pomme d'Api from its first issue in 1966. The main characters are brother and sister, David and Marion, and each story conveys themes of friendship, family ties, and compassion through everyday events that children can easily relate to. This story series was created by Lucille Butel and has been loved by many children for many years. There are records that the stories were also performed as puppet shows, From the late 1970s to the 1980s, educational materials containing the stories, cassette tapes, and slides were released, making this a story series that has accompanied the development of French children in a wide range of ways. The characters often appeared on magazine covers and were very familiar to French children at the time.
04. Bécassine
Born in a girls' magazine in 1905, this national character has been beloved in France for over 100 years. The story begins when Bécassine, born into a farming family in Brittany, sets out to live in Paris, but ends up working as a nanny at the Duchess's mansion due to an unexpected turn of events. The story revolves around a comedic tale in which she causes all sorts of trouble wherever she goes, with her natural cheerfulness, curiosity, and slightly airheaded personality. It is told in the form of a bande dessinée (French comic). The word Bécassine means "clumsy" in French.
05. Martine
This picture book series was created in 1954 by Belgian children's author Marcel Marlier and poet Gilbert Draaey. The series is based on the everyday life of Martine, and depicts everyday events that children often experience, such as trips to the farm, the sea or the mountains, learning to dance, and cooking. The series is notable for its realistic, beautiful, and warm illustrations. It has been translated and published in over 50 languages around the world, and has been a best-seller for over half a century.
06. Caroline
This series, which French picture book author Pierre Probst began publishing in 1955, is based on his own daughter. Caroline is a lively, adventurous girl with her trademark blonde pigtails and red overalls. Together with eight unique animal friends, including Pouf the white cat and Bum the cub, she embarks on exciting adventures that include traveling the world, camping, skiing, and even playing the role of detective or circus leader. In Japan, the series has long been loved as "Caroline and Her Friends."
