Last week I shared a list of Paris picture books. This week you can introduce your kids to the joys of France's famed city with a few très jolie chapter books set in Paris. Although the titles are fiction, they still offer opportunities to learn about Paris. These selections are for a variety reading levels, from easy readers on up to middle grade; I've indicated my opinion as to reading level in bold, but as you know I'm not a literacy professional (just a passionate parent) and your child's reading level may vary. (I sound like a lawyer, don't I?)
{Note: As always, I've chosen books based solely on my personal opinions and included affiliate links should you wish to learn more.}
Paris Chapter Books for Kids:
Madame Pamplemousse and Her Incredible Edibles. Young Madeline works for her greedy Uncle Lard's restaurant, aptly named The Squealing Pig. One day she discovers the somewhat whimsical Madame Pamplemousse, who knows the secret to making culinary delights. This is a unique and magical early chapter book. Additional titles in the series: Madame Pamplemousse and the Enchanted Sweet Shop
and Madame Pamplemousse and the Time-travelling Cafe
. Also available as an ebook.
The Family Under the Bridge. A 1959 Newbery Honor book, Savage's book is a sensitive and touching story of how a homeless and fatherless family befriends an old man during the Christmas season. Armand, who thought he liked the carefree life with no personal ties finds himself drawn to the young family. This would make a great family read aloud or an independent read for kids ages 7 and up.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret. We just checked this book out from the library. I don't know why it took me so long to read it, but it is wonderful. Detailed pictures are just as essential (if not more so) to communicating the story as the text. My standard few sentences of a review are inadequate. Hugo lives in the walls of a Paris train station when his secretive life is interrupted by the connections he makes with an unusual girl and an elderly toy vendor. A magical, marvelous, intricate, mysterious and stunning middle grade book (and good for read alouds).
Dodsworth in Paris. There are 4 Dodsworth books in this marvelously droll early reader series. Short chapters narrate the humorous adventures of Dodsworth (Is he a badger? I'm not even sure!) and his duck companion as they see the sights and get into a bit of mischief in Paris. This is one of my absolute favorite beginning chapter book series, perfect for kids who are still working through easy reader books. Once you've read his adventures in Paris, you can travel to New York, Rome, Tokyo or London. Also available as an ebook.
Charlotte in Paris. This may not qualify technically as a chapter book, but the text is dense enough to make it more than your standard picture book. In 1893, Charlotte visits Paris with her artist parents and records the experiences in her journal and letters to a friend. This is a wonderful book to introduce the French art scene of the day to your kids and Melissa Sweet's wonderful illustrations make the book lovely to look at. Also available as an ebook.
Secret Letters From 0 To 10. I loved this book about 10 year old Ernest who lives a quiet life with his grandmother and eccentric housekeeper until he meets his new classmate, Victoria. Victoria has 13 brothers and draws Ernest out of his shell. You can read my full review at Storied Cities. I suggest this book for ages 8 and up. It's best enjoyed by kids just about ready for middle grade fiction. Also available as an ebook.
A Dash of Magic. This is the second in a trilogy of books, and you will want to read Bliss
first. Rose and her family head to Paris, where their devious Aunt Lily has absconded with the family's magic cookbook. They enter a bake-off competition in an attempt to retrieve the stolen book. A couple of clever talking animals and a search for magical ingredients make this an entertaining adventure. The Bliss series is solidly middle grade reading, but loads of fun. Also available as an ebook.
Night of the New Magicians. Fortunately one can always rely on the Magic Tree House early chapter book series to have an appropriate book for every chapter book list. I will be honest with you and say I have not read this particular installment of the MTH books, but it's a fair guess that it follows the lines of the rest of the 50 (!) books. It is set in 1889 during the World Fair, which sounds like a lovely place to time travel. Also available as an ebook.
What books did I miss? Leave a comment with your suggestions for further reading and don't forget to check out our list of Picture Books set in Paris.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Including affiliate links underwrites the time it takes to bring you these free book lists and does not affect which books I select! Happy Reading!
Jacquie@KCEdventures says
Awesome list! I loved the Family Under the Bridge (great vintage read) and there's a few here we have not read so I'm adding them to our summer list - sharing!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks, Jacquie!
Julie says
Thanks for this list. We went to Paris two years ago and had a lot of difficulty find books before we went. Dodsworth was the only one from this list. We did read Madeline. I pinned it in case we go back.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I had a much harder time finding chapter books than picture books. In fact, there were many more picture books than I included on last week's list.
Brittany says
What a great list!. Going to Paris was a highlight of my European trip during college, so I'm happy to find this I can't believe I've not read most of these - well, add it to my forever growing Goodreads shelf.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I hope you enjoy your reading trip to Paris, Brittany.
Belinda Brock says
formidable, erica!
Erica MomandKiddo says
Merci!
Melissa@Julia's Bookbag says
FUN! I own The Family Under the Bridge but I'm waiting until my kiddo is older to read it. I'll definitely check out the Madame Pamplemousse books, those look adorable 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
Oh, you will like those for sure!
Marie-Claude Leroux says
Thanks for another great list - wish I had found these when our family studied France - and also can't believe we haven't read Hugo yet - will be picking that up soon!
Fanny Harville says
So glad you finally read Hugo! 🙂 And The Family Under The Bridge is one of our faves too. We'll definitely check out the rest of this list (and the picture book list) because we have a trip to Paris in our future!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm a little (okay, a lot) jealous of your upcoming trip.
Samantha says
great list!! 🙂
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thank you Samantha. I hope you enjoy the books.
esivy says
Hugo Cabret is a favorite of my youngest daughter. Our's is signed! 😉
The movie is also good.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I've not seen the movie yet!
Jennifer Dionne says
Thank you for this post - my 9 yr old daughter loves everything Paris!
We just finished reading Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell aloud for the second time in less than a year. It is a fabulous book set in England and Paris.
Erica MomandKiddo says
I've not heard of that one, thanks for the recommendation!
CE says
King in the Window by Gopnik is mostly set in Paris.
Erica MomandKiddo says
Thanks for the suggestion!
Nina Reiniger says
The Story of Diva & Flea by Mo Willems, which was not yet published when this list was made, is also a great chapter book set in Paris.
Erica says
Yes, excellent book.