A fun and enriching way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in a great book and place yourself in another world. If reading page after page of text isn’t your thing (or you like to mix things up), comics are another wonderful resource with colorful images and punchy language. Our experts here at babbel have found the best books for learning French, whether you’ve just started practicing or are looking for a challenge. this is what the cut does:
1. the little prince
what better way to start our list of books to learn French than with lepetit prince (the little prince). There’s a good reason this classic of French literature by Antoine de Saint Exupéry is world famous. the novel tells the story of a boy who goes on deep adventures while traveling through the universe. a rich subtext allows you to observe the flaws of humanity and the many peculiarities of the world.
You are reading: French books for beginners
It’s a short and enjoyable read, so those at a beginner to intermediate level will find it a beneficial resource. some complicated vocabulary words and the use of the verb tense le passé simple (not heard in spoken French) are good challenges. For further listening practice, you can also enjoy the novel as an audiobook, play, TV show, or movie.
2. little nicholas
The classic children’s series, le petit nicolas, could include some of the best books to learn French for beginners. Written by René Goscinny and charmingly illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé, the books are told from the point of view of young Nicolas as he lives an idyllic childhood in 1950s France.
Each book is full of humor and is a great way for beginning and intermediate students to discover quintessential French culture. They are short and fun reads, with a few sentences that can challenge you with the informal communication of the child narrator. if you like the series, check out the adapted movie, les vacances du petit nicolas, for more practice (and laughs!).
3. arsene lupin, knight cambrioleur
arsène lupin, gentleman cambrioleur, the crime novel by maurice leblanc, narrates the adventures of the thief arsène lupin through a series of stories.
The book is entertaining and easy to read, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate learners. Vocabulary describing people and concepts related to justice, as well as grammatical skills such as the present tense, adverbs of time, and adjective agreement, offer many opportunities to test your skills.
4. asterix and obelix
Asterix et Obelix, created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo in the late 1950s, is one of the most popular Franco-Belgian comic series in the world. The stories record the adventures of two protagonists, Asterix and Obelix, both from a town in Gaul (present-day France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and other parts of Western Europe).
As you may have guessed, the comics have a lot of French humour, which will help beginning and intermediate students understand French style and colloquial phrases, as well as social criticism. Any list of the best books to learn French would be incomplete without this selection!
5. tintin
This timeless Belgian comic series set in the 20th century was created by Belgian artist, Georges Remi, who goes by the name Hergé. The story revolves around a young reporter, Tintin, who embarks on crime-solving adventures with the help of his faithful dog, Snowy.
fantastic drawings, wit, and sociopolitical commentary make for a visually appealing and appetizing read. These comics are very useful for those who are learning French at a beginner or intermediate level.
6. l’élégance du hérisson
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L’élégance du hérisson is an easy-to-read novel by French author and philosophy professor, Muriel Barbery. her teaching discipline prevails throughout the book’s story. Themes related to art, philosophy, class consciousness, and personal conflict are presented through the lens of the two female narrators, Renée and Paloma.
For beginners and intermediate students, this book to learn French is useful for learning vocabulary and grammar. You’ll find examples of descriptive adjectives, relative pronouns, and vivid vocabulary used to describe people. You can also watch the film adaptation to reinforce the language and story.
7. the rabbi’s chat
le chat du rabbin (the rabbi’s cat) is a comic that tells the story of a cat that gains a voice after swallowing a rabbi’s parrot. the plot follows the lessons he learns from the rabbi himself.
Set in a Jewish community in colonized Algeria during the 1920s, this comic by Joann Sfar offers an original story and a sense of discovery for those seeking to learn about a French colonial society. This book is especially suitable for beginner to intermediate level students.
8. monsieur ibrahim and the flowers of the koran
We close our list of the best books to learn French with Monsieur Ibrahim et les Fleurs du Coran (Mr. Ibrahim and the Flowers of the Koran). This novel by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt was originally written as a French play about the life of Schmitt’s friend, Bruno Abraham Kremer. shows the story of a young jewish man and a muslim shopkeeper who live in a neighborhood in paris.
Religion inevitably plays an important role in the book, although Schmitt did not want it to override the essence of the plot surrounding the characters. those with a beginner and intermediate level will find this an excellent book to familiarize themselves with French words related to religion.
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