Asterix books are the bestselling comic series of all time. The original creators were Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Asterix has been translated into many languages and has delighted generations of children.
Asterix and the Griffin
Jean-Yves Ferri & Didier Conrad (illustrator)
Want to start at the beginning? The first volume, published in 1960, is Asterix the Gaul.
Asterix books have been recommended several times on Five Books: in an interview on The Best Books for Learning French, an interview on The Best Books on Learning Latin, and The Best Graphic Novels for Eight Year Olds (an interview with Helen in our By Kids for Kids section).
Asterix (album 39). New titles are still coming out in this bestselling comic series of all time. The current writer-illustrator team was mentored by Albert Uderzo, one of the original co-creators.
Readers will enjoy this comic book series more and more as they grow up and increasingly understand the references, but Asterix is popular with children as young as seven.
“Yes, it’s very local. Asterix is for more advanced learners, who have a better understanding of French culture. Also, you do have a lot of technical words, about the Romans who were occupying Gaul, the food and so on. If you start to open your dictionary anytime you encounter a new word, you’re going to get lost with Asterix. Tintin is more about adventures and planes and cars. It’s easier.” Read more...
The Best Books for Learning French
Vincent Serrano-Guerra, Linguist
“Asterix (who is a tiny guy with a big moustache) and his friend (who is a big guy) called Obelix are very, very funny.” Read more...
The Best Graphic Novels for Eight Year Olds
Helen, Children
“It’s a really good way of learning your first proper Latin sentences.” Read more...
The best books on Learning Latin
Harry Mount, Journalist
