Nicholas and the Gang

Jean-Jacques Sempé (b.1932) is one of the world's most successful illustrators and cartoonists. He is the illustrator of the classic children's-book character, Nicholas, and author of a collection of some thirty albums of his cartoons and graphic novels, all published or to be published by Phaidon. His world-renowned illustrations and cartoons are featured on the cover of the New Yorker and in Paris Match.René Goscinny (1926 - 1977) is the world-famous writer and creator, along with Albert Uderzo, of the adventures of Asterix the Gaul. Born in Paris, Goscinny lived in Buenos Aires and New York before returning to France in the 1950s where he met Jean-Jacques Sempé. They collaborated on picture strips and then stories about Nicholas, the popular French schoolboy. An internationally successful children's author who also won awards for his animated cartoons, Goscinny died in 1977.Anthea Bellwas awarded the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize and the Helen and Kurt Wolff Prize (USA) in 2002 for her translation of W.G. Sebald's Austerlitz. Her many works of translation from French and German (for which she has received several other awards) include the Nicholas books and, with Derek Hockridge, the entire Asterix the Gaul saga by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo.

'the publication in affordable paperback of a couple of the brilliant Nicholas books by Rene Goscinny (as in Asterix), illustrated with diabolic humour by Jean Jacques Sempe, will usefully extend the readership of a series of subversive stories about a little French boy which has captivated readers since the Sixties.' Evening Standard 'The humour may be 50 years old, but the notion of the mischievous, confident little schoolboy is timeless. ... the British editions will deliberately be given a touch of class, as the volumes are brought out in cloth covers, on high-quality paper. ' Junior 'Lovable, naive and very French, Nicholas is timeless.' The Guardian 'Both children and adults will enjoy Nicholas' escapades...the 19 stories in the collection make this a great choice for reading aloud...detailed, expressive drawings by New Yorker cartoonist Jean-Jacques Sempe add to the charm...a delightful collection of stories.' Bookpage 'Goscinny, best known in the United States as the author of the Asterix comic book series, chronicles with precision the daily life of a precocious French schoolboy. I hope that Phaidon will bring us many more of his adventures." The Horn Book Magazine 'If you don't know the adventures of the French schoolboy Nicholas and his pals by Rene Goscinny (creator, with Albert Uderzo, of Asterix the Gaul), with pictures by famed illustrator Sempe, do look at the beautiful new edition from Phaidon Press.' New York Newsday