Another Side of René Goscinny’s Genius
When we think of René Goscinny, most of us immediately picture Gaulish warriors, Romans running for their lives, and Albert Uderzo’s art bringing it all to life. But Goscinny’s talent stretched far beyond Asterix. Before he became the legendary co-creator of our favorite indomitable Gaul, he also gave the world another timeless character: Le Petit Nicolas (Little Nicholas).
What is Le Petit Nicolas?
Le Petit Nicolas began in 1959 as a collaboration between René Goscinny and illustrator Jean-Jacques Sempé. The books follow the everyday adventures of Nicolas, a little boy growing up in mid-20th century France. Written as short stories told from Nicolas’ perspective, they capture the world exactly as a child might see it—sometimes silly, sometimes touching, always funny.
Just like in Asterix, Goscinny used humor to highlight human nature. The adults in Nicolas’ world are often as clueless as the Romans, and the children are full of schemes and arguments that mirror the little battles of grown-up life.
The Le Petit Nicolas Books
Here is an overview of the main Petit Nicolas collections (affiliate link), with French titles and English translations where available:
- Le Petit Nicolas (1959) – Little Nicholas
- Les Vacances du Petit Nicolas (1962) – Nicholas on Holiday
- Les Récrés du Petit Nicolas (1963) – Nicholas and the Gang
- Le Petit Nicolas et les Copains (1963) – Nicholas and the Gang (sometimes merged with Les Récrés in English editions)
- Joachim a des Ennuis (1964) – no official English translation
- Les Histoires Inédites du Petit Nicolas (2004, posthumous) – The Unpublished Nicolas Stories
Some English editions combine stories from multiple French books into one volume, which can be confusing for collectors. If you’re a fan of Asterix translations, you’ll know the joy (and occasional frustration) of tracking these variations down!
Beyond the Books: Films and Adaptations
The charm of Le Petit Nicolas eventually made its way to the big screen. The first film, Le Petit Nicolas (affiliate link) from 2009 was followed by Les Vacances du Petit Nicolas in 2014. More recently, the beautifully animated Le Petit Nicolas: Qu’est-ce qu’on attend pour être heureux? (2022) told not only Nicolas’ story but also celebrated the friendship between Goscinny and Sempé themselves.
For Asterix fans, these adaptations are especially interesting, because they highlight how Goscinny’s humor translates into different mediums. Just as the Gauls conquered cinema and animation, so too did little Nicolas.
Why Asterix Fans Will Enjoy Le Petit Nicolas
Both Asterix and Le Petit Nicolas shine because of Goscinny’s unique ability to mix wit, irony, and warmth. In Asterix, he poked fun at history, politics, and human vanity. In Nicolas, he looked at everyday childhood, but the observations are just as sharp.
There’s also the joy of Sempé’s illustrations. While Uderzo’s art brought energy and detail to Asterix, Sempé’s line drawings are light and whimsical, perfectly matching Goscinny’s understated humor. Together, they create a reading experience that feels both nostalgic and universal.
If you love Asterix, reading Le Petit Nicolas offers a chance to see another side of Goscinny’s genius. Where the Gauls make us laugh with their wild brawls and clever tricks, Nicolas makes us smile with his small adventures, misunderstandings, and childlike honesty. Both works remind us of why René Goscinny remains one of the greatest storytellers of the 20th century.
