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Nicholas

(2005, Fiction - Humor, Written by René Goscinny, Illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    French classic about misbehaving schoolboys.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    This is a book that glories in schoolboy misbehavior and plays it for laughs: playing hooky, making messes, fighting, and generally driving adults crazy, though the adults don't behave much better.
  • Violence:

    Lots of schoolyard fighting, bloody noses, etc. Parents slap children.
  • Sex:

  • Language:

  • Consumerism:

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Two boys smoke a cigar and get sick. A father smokes a pipe.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Nicholas

Parents need to know that this is a book finds its humor in schoolboy misbehavior, including playing hooky, fighting, and smoking a cigar. The incorrigible boys are usually punished one way or another, but this has little effect on their behavior.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how much of the humor also comes from Nicholas not really understanding what's wrong with his behavior. Also worth some discussion is the difference between this depiction of school and child behavior in '50s France, and today's schools in America.

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Kentucky
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Very funny in context

    My 8 year-old daughter was given Nicholas for a Christmas present. What a treat! Nicholas is a French, male version of Junie B. Jones, one of our favorite characters. The book is written from Nicholas' point of view so you get to hear him describe the adults reactions and what they say. This child's vantage point provides much of the humor. Yes, Nicholas' main occupation is getting into trouble, i.e. smoking a cigar and then getting sick. But hearing his comments on the chaos he and his classmates create is what will bring on the smiles and make you and your child laugh out loud. I suggest you read this out loud to the whole family.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    hilarios!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

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