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We note quite a rich tradition of children's literature in France. Yet with the exception of a few books (The Little Prince and Madeline), French children's books are not well-known in America and England. We wonder why this is. A French reader has provided his assessment. We have attempted to translate his interesting comments. If HBC readers care to improve on our translation, please do so. If I understand correctly the text here, our French reader maintains that French children's literature is well known around the world, but only in English speaking countries is it not known.
It is commonly thought in England and America that French children's literature is not as popular around the world as English Language (English and American) children's literature. But is this so? And is it justified on the merits of the two literary traditions? England in particular, produced a significant number of books for children in widely known series that made their authors (Blyton, Buckeridge, etc.) famous around the world. Because of the large English production, many authors published in England, and translated in the whole world. England is to some extent closed to European literature, and in particular Frenchwoman. An author like Paul-Jacques Bonzon, for example, produced almost 200 works in very popular series (Six Companions, Family HLM), [? drawn to hundreds from ?exemplaires thousands]. They are as well known in France as "Famous Five" (Le club des cinq) is in England. However the series of the "Six Companions", for example, was translated in many languages in the world, (Germany, Scandinavia, Spain, and others), but was never widely translated intomEnglish. Only about 4-5 of the many titles of the seraies were translated into English.
Perhaps having many talented authors, England has not considered it useful to translate foreign authors. An Australian reader I know, who read some titles of Paul-Jacques Bonzon, did not did not question the quality of the books of this author. He asked me where to obtain more such books. He will be able alas never read them, because so few have been translated into English. And it iis not just French books that are not being translated into English. A Danish series, "The Puck", by Lisbeth Werner, (alias Knud Meister and Carlo
Andersen) has been translated into French and other languages, but not to my knowledge into English. The books inspired by Boy Scouting, "Sign of track" (signe de piste) written by recognized European authors (Jean-Louis Foncine, Serge Dalens, and their pseudo commun run, Mick Fondal, Foncine, Dalens), had an enormous success all over the continent. The series is, however, almost unknown in England. The Anglophone countries (England and America) are unaware of the whole European tradition of children's literature.
Paul-Jacques Bonzon was born on August 31, 1908 in Sainte-Marie-Du-Mont,
Manche, in Normandy. He was a teacher and school director for 25 years. He writes [? d?abord] books like "The Fan of Seville", "The promise of Primerose", etc. His books have been translated into 16 languages. Some of his books have been adapted for television, like "The Fan of Seville". The televised series has been distributed in many countries. Then promoted by his editor, he has done a series based on the "The Six Companions", which will be very successful, comparable with that of "Famous five". Each title has sold nearly 450,000 books. The series is always completely sold out. There are plans for another series based on the "Family HLM", for young people. Bonzon also writes also school books for learning to read which are also very popular and made to entrall the young reader like a novel. The series "The Six Companions", like the series "Family HLM", used groups of average children who are resourceful and inventive. They have mystery adventures marked
by a commitment to generosity and friendship. The series of the "Six Companions" counts more than 40 titles, and a score for "Family HLM".
More information here: PAUL-JACQUES BONZON.
Serge, E-mail message, October, 30, 2003.
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