Paris is a city children's books have been drawing for nearly a century, and it holds up because so much of it is already storybook-shaped. There is a tower made of iron lace that a con man twice sold for scrap. There is a museum so large the most famous painting in it went missing for two years before anyone got it back. There are stone tunnels of stacked bones under the streets, bakeries on the corner, booksellers' green boxes along the river, and a skyline of grey zinc rooftops that at least one novelist has used as a place for children to live.
Drawing from Bookroo's collection of 135 Paris books, our editors picked the picture books families read before a trip, the Caldecott winners set in Paris boardinghouses and cheese shops, the landmark and art-heist nonfiction, and the novels that use the real city — the Seine, the Louvre, Montmartre, the catacombs, the Gare Montparnasse. Start with our 13 favorites, then browse by age, from board books for a stroller to thick novels for readers who want the rooftops to themselves.
Twelve little girls live in an old house in Paris covered with vines, and the smallest one is not afraid of anything.
A girl in a Paris boardinghouse full of performers catches a quiet lodger crossing the courtyard on a wire.
Insulted to learn that Parisians dread mice, Anatole takes an honest job leaving tasting notes at a cheese factory.
Adèle collects her little brother from school, and he manages to lose something at every stop between there and home.
An orphan lives inside the walls of a Paris train station, winding its clocks and guarding a broken mechanical man.
A boy finds a red balloon on a lamppost in Ménilmontant, and it decides to follow him everywhere.
Henri decides his village is too quiet, packs a lunch, and sets off down the road to Paris.
A painter's tour of Paris: the bridges, the parks, the pigeons, the café chairs, and every landmark worth pointing at.
In 1925 a con man convinced a scrap dealer that the city was quietly selling the Eiffel Tower — then did it a second time.
A small dog who never leaves her courtyard and a street cat who never stops moving agree to show each other their Paris.
An old man who likes living alone under a Paris bridge finds three children camped in his spot a week before Christmas.
Found floating in a cello case after a shipwreck, Sophie is convinced her mother survived too — and that the answer is in Paris.
In 1911 the Mona Lisa walked out of the Louvre under a workman's smock, and it took two years to find her.
The Eiffel Tower, croissants, and Madeline's two straight lines in sturdy pages for ages 0–5.
Discover shapes hidden in Paris's iconic landmarks.
Explore iconic cities through playful die-cuts and maps.
Embark on a train journey exploring cities with your little one.
Discover classic tales through simple words and felted scenes for young readers.
Join Madeline as she meets delightful animal friends in a rhyming adventure.
Explore Paris through charming illustrations and baby-friendly rhymes.
Join a fearless girl on an alphabet adventure.
Discover how love takes shape through Madeline's brave and kind adventures.
Join a fearless girl on a counting adventure from 1 to 10.
Discover the magic of seasons with Madeline and friends.
Landmark tours, Paris mice, high-wire acts, and lost-mitten walks across the city for ages 3–8.
A tea party turns chaotic when a mischievous guest arrives. Can friendship mend the mess?
Kittens disrupt a Parisian ballet, causing chaos and wonder.
A grounded bird must find courage to soar to new heights.
A poodle must find a missing puppy and discover her unique talent.
A brave girl and her rescue dog face a dilemma: how to share their bond with others.
A giraffe's journey from Egypt to France captivates a nation.
A piglet seeks perfection in Paris but discovers the true scent of home.
A young girl races against time to complete a noble's manuscript in 15th-century Paris.
A blind boy creates a revolutionary reading system.
A mischievous girl explores Paris, encountering unexpected adventures and famous faces.
A dancer defies segregation, captivates Paris, and becomes a spy.
Twins in Paris race to uncover a secret bakery and solve an art heist mystery.
Museum heists, catacomb ghosts, musketeers, rooftop escapes, and Paris-set novels for ages 6–11.
Time-traveling Greg faces betrayal and danger in 1615 Paris.
A stolen masterpiece, an invisible thief, and a race against time in Paris.
Twins race against time to solve a mystery in the City of Lights.
Fashion dreams, mayoral campaigns, and unexpected romance collide as a wedding looms.
A coded message warns of more assassins. Can Christopher stop a royal curse before it's too late?
A stolen fabric threatens Paris Fashion Week's glamour. Can young sleuths uncover the truth?
A teen travels through time to save his parents and legendary heroes.
A group of mice solve a mystery involving a stolen fashion collection in Paris
Discover how the Eiffel Tower transformed from despised design to Paris's beloved icon.
A middle schooler faces unexpected hurdles on her journey to Paris.
Young detectives face espionage, intrigue, and murder in 1911 Paris.
A flat boy goes on a secret mission to protect the Mona Lisa from being stolen.
