Irresistible journey of a cat through France, past chateaux and shaded canals, dodging cars in Paris, roaming across lavender fields, to return to his home – a stone house by the edge of the sea. Fabulous double-page illustrations. (Picture book)

Delightful story of the Mona Lisa, told by the painting herself. Who was the young woman, why was this painting special to da Vinci, how did Mona Lisa end up in the Louvre, and what happened when she was stolen. "Now you know why I am smiling." (Picture book)

Paris, old and new – two Arc de Triomphes, the oldest church and oldest bridge in Paris, 1,665 steps to climb the Eiffel tower, pleasure boats on the Seine, Notre Dame Cathedral, bistros and cafés, Street of the Fishing Cat, and more. Whimsical illustrations, fun facts, this is a classic. (Picture book)

Take a walk with Adele and her little brother Simon on their way home from school, stopping at a street market, the Jardin du Luxembourg, a patisserie, the Louvre, and everywhere, Simon forgets something. Flavored with watercolor illustrations of Paris a century ago, this is an absolutely delightful tour around the city. (Picture book)

Joan of Arc – her youth in a country village, the great siege of Orleans (the English are sent packing), miraculous victories in the Loire. Richly illustrated in the style of medieval manuscripts. (Picture book)

Classic swashbuckling, swords-flashing adventure of d'Artagnan and the musketeers, sworn to protect King Louis. The musketeers uncover a plot by the scheming Milady de Winter and Cardinal Richelieu to betray the queen. Fun for new readers. (Easy reader)

Kids will also enjoy reading the longer The Three Musketeers abridged version, and the sequel, The Man in the Iron Mask. (Chapter books)

Rules and instructions for Marie Antoinette – from No. 1 "Marry well, to " No. 68 "Embrace your fate." Noted for her style and extravagance, an encompassing novel of the famous French queen, her first days as a teenager at Versailles to the end of the monarchy. (Chapter book)

Isabelle is a young lacemaker, but she also plays at Versailles with the daughter of Marie Antoinette, the princess Therese. The life of luxury in the palace is quite different from Isabelle’s, lavish meals, fine clothes, pony riding and playing in the gardens, but change is coming to France. A super novel of life at Versailles. (Chapter book)

Spend the day with Louis XIV in his grand palace of Versailles – look for emblems of the Sun King, find where the king sleeps, receives visitors, and holds fancy dress balls, then explore the gardens decorated with topiary and fountains. (Picture book)

Katie Meets the Impressionists
James Mayhew

Little Katie gets in the picture, when she climbs into an Impressionist painting, and joins the family eating lunch in the garden. She picks a bouquet to bring back, but her adventures have only begun. A delightful story about paintings you'll see in Paris – The Luncheon and Fields of Poppies by Monet, and The Blue Dancers by Degas, and fun for little kids. (Picture book)

"Flowers in the spring, trees against the blue sea." Claude Monet's own words, paired with his paintings, are a magical combination. Poetic phrases focus on light and nature in each picture – the morning mist, a passing cloud, red sunset like a fireball – make the paintings really come alive. A fabulous book for all ages, kids and adults alike. (Picture book)

Pictorial history of the Impressionists, artists Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, Cezanne, Seurat, Gaugin, plus 21 activities – paint the sky like Monet, cut out paper water lilies, bake cookies with sprinkles like Seurat, and learn how to spot each artist's work. Filled with lots of Impressionist paintings, good for older kids. (Chapter book, with illustrations)

Dancing Through Fire (Portraits series)
Kathryn Lasky

Step into 1870, as France is invaded by Prussia. Sylvie Bertrand yearns to advance in the Paris Opera Ballet, but there's no food to eat, an ethereal ballerina vanishes, and her older sister has joined the rebellious communards. An absorbing novel that weaves together historical events, art, and the world of Paris at that time. (Chapter book)

Monsieur Saguette's trip to the bakery is full of adventure, in this whimsical tale of a delicious baguette. With the baguette, Monsieur rescues at cat in a tree, wedges it into an alligator's jaws, disarms a robber and saves himself from a flooding street. Playfully illustrated. (Picture book)

Let's Learn French Coloring Book
Anne-Francoise Pattis

Loads of pictures to color – from l'arbre (tree) to le bateau (boat), le chat (cat), la fleur (flower), seasons of the year, days of the week, animals and food. (Coloring book)

Fun illustrated overview of France – maps and regions, a typical French town, school life, what the French like to eat and drink, history, famous places and festivals, useful French words. (Picture book)

Et voilà les petits,
Et voilà les gros,
Et voilà les petits patés tout chauds.
Listen and look at this charming book of French rhymes – on the farm, around the market, in the house, at the cafe – delightfully illustrated.
(Book + CD)