Finding accessible texts for teaching French can be challenging, but have you thought about using a French comics? French chapter books are sometimes intimidating when learning French because they feature large paragraphs and lack visual support. French comics, on the other hand, can be a fun reading alternative to utilize to help your students learn French. Accessible at any level, French comics are perfect for students with limited vocabulary because they make the reading experience more enjoyable. The fact that comics are constructed almost entirely of dialog is another advantage. After all, this is what you want your students to learn: What people really say in specific situations.
5 French comics to add to your French classroom library
French comics #1 - Adèle by Mr Tan & Miss Prickly
Adèle is a little girl who loves to plays tricks and prank on people. She is very imaginative and always has the goofiest ideas. Easy to understand, this series will make the French classroom full of laughter. Students around 8 years old are usually fans of Adèle, however, older kids will definitely enjoy this colorful character and her sense of humor too.
FRENCH COMICs #2 - Dans la tête de Sherlock Holmes by Benoit Dahan
The famous London-based detective Sherlock Holmes is known for using logic and astute observation to solve cases. The drawings in these comics are stunning and their aesthetic is like nothing I have seen before. This series is suitable for more advanced levels of French and/or French Immersion middle and high school students.
French comics #3 - Les Sortilèges de Zora by Judith Peignen
In this French comic, Zora is a 12 year old witch who lives with her grandma. Hiding from the witch hunt, she and her grandma live in a funky house in Paris. Zora’s grandma, scared for her granddaughter, wants her to go to school and have a nonwitch life. But Zora isn’t ready to give up her witch powers just yet.
This is a great comic to touch on the topic of being different. Middle schoolers usually love Zora’s story.
French comics #4 - Tâvutatèt by Gabriele Bagnoli
Being a mummy, stuck in a museum, is pretty boring. Tâvutatèt wants to escape her sarcophagus and explore the world. This comic is an open door to ancient Egypt in a modern setting.
“J'avais l'impression d'avoir un noeud à l'estomac (alors que je n'avais plus d'estomac depuis des siècles). Pourtant, avec toutes les huiles, les onguents, la cire d'abeille et les produits dont m'avaient enduite les embaumeurs pendant les soixante-dix jours de ma momification, je n'aurais dû ressentir aucun malaise, ni aucune douleur.”
Definitely a teen favorite.
fRENCH COMICs #5 - Louca
In this French comic, Louca dreams of becoming a soccer player. The only issue is that he isn’t really good at soccer. He can count on his friend Nathan to help him achieve his goal. However, Nathan is a ghost. How did he die? Why is Louca the only one who sees him? This is a fun comic that the soccer fans in your class will enjoy.
I hope these stories will help your French students find reading in French more enjoyable. French comics are a practical way to combine learning with pleasure! All of the comic books from this list are available to purchase on Amazon. Please note that these links are affliate links, and I do receive a small stipend with purchases. Let me know which one your students loved best!