I still remember poring over iconic Asterix books in my early twenties, and going mad in supermarkets in Paris over these hardcover books, for just a few francs, in their native tongue. My French may not be what it used to be, but I still treasure these books.
After a recent spate of "Where's Such-and-Such?" books, including Michael Jackson and Osama Bin Laden, I must admit, Where's Asterix? was the first to pull at my heart strings.
This gorgeous hard cover book may essentially be a search-and-find but it's also a glorious picture book in its own right - featuring Albert Uderzo's iconic illustrations in a Where's Wally? format, complete with the full cast and crew of Gallic characters the Asterix series is renowned for.
Originally published in 1961, the Asterix series is the world's highest selling ever - with 350 million copies sold to date. After the death of author Goscinny in 1977, 84-year-old illustrator Uderzo took over writing the series, which continues to go strong.
Translated into over 100 languages and dialects, the charm lies in the series' priceless characters - from Asterix and his obelisk-toting friend Obelix, through Geriatrix, Impedimenta and Cacofonix to the adorably teensy Dogmatix, the inexhaustibly stupid Romans and cast of regular Lutetian and Gallic players.
Kids will adore scooting around these gorgeously-constructed pages, searching for special items. Dogmatix is always a joy to find in any Asterix book - even more so in Where's Asterix?
Alors - c'est formidable.
Title: Where's Asterix?
Author: René Goscinny
Illustrator: Albert Uderzo
Publisher: Hachette, $24.99 RRP
Publication Date: 8 November 2011
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781444004441
For ages: 5+
Type: Picture Book/Activity Book