This Is Paris

This is...

by Miroslav Sasek

With the same wit and perception that distinguished his charming books on London, New York, and San Francisco, here this famous Czech painter presents his impressions of Paris in This Is Paris, first published in 1959 and now updated for the 21st century.  We see its famous buildings, its beautiful gardens, the museums, the sidewalk cafes, and the people who live there -- artists, the concierges, the flower girls, and even the thousands of cats. Take a tour along the banks of the Seine, or through the galleries of the Louvre, or to the top of the Eiffel Tower.  Elegant, vivid pictures of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, This is Paris!

Genres: Picture Books, Travel, Childrens, France, Nonfiction, Geography, History

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Miroslav Sasek (born Miroslav Šašek) (1916-1980) was an author and illustrator from the Czech Republic. He is best known for a series of books for children titled This Is...

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book -pictures of the Notre Dame Cathedral made me feel sad and I wish the people of France all my best. I would read this book with a child if you were going on vacation to Paris; think it would really get them interested into looking for landmarks when they got there. Really do like the art - it is fantastically 'retroish' and fun!

[Skip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to introduce children to Paris before a visit. The famous Czech painter. Miroslav Sasek, illustrates famous buildings and museums and many of the things that make Paris one of the most visited cities in the world, such as its beautiful gardens, museums, cafés as well as the people and animals (cats.)

[Ashleigh Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in the reading room in Shakespeare & Co. in Paris. Really informative for both kids and adults :)

[Lisa]

I want this whole set for Nadia...

[C.G.Koens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute picture book, one that left my husband and I saying, "How did we miss seeing [fill in the blank] in Paris?!" Whether you want to prepare a child for an upcoming trip, or you simply want to broaden their world and show them what life is like somewhere else, this is a super cute, simple, yet marvelous addition to any child's (or adult's) bookshelf.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bits and bobs of 1959 Paris, with annotations. Like San Francisco, not much in this book has changed.

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[Daniela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I have found this book at Amazon and I wondered about the Czech name of the author. I got to explore the book and realized that he was a Czech, what a mystery, we have never been taught about him at school (of no type). His books were written in English after he emigrated from the Czechoslovakia and were never published in Czech. I got too amazed and curious about this book, so I bought it, read it and love it! All the pictures and the style he wrote it in. I just feel cheated, that we Czechs do not know nothing about this wonderful books and about the author.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for Christmas. Besides having fun identifying the sights I knew, the book is one that would work as a model for students to write about any place they know well. Some of the places are followed by details that show more depth of knowledge--and that's what I'd go for if I had students write their own books about a place.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

i got this book for the kids to read during our upcoming trip to paris with the stewarts. it's absolutely fabulous! love that even though it was written in 1959 there isn't a whole lot that needs updating. i love everything about it, actually. will for sure be getting the rest of the books in this series.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the art. Casual chatty tone. Great series and author/artist to know about. Certainly dated (Les Halles isn't there anymore) but still a great book -- a first travel book for children, with elements they will appreciate (at one end of the Champs-Elysees "is a garden where you can ride on a donkey."

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all the books that we have read so far in the "This is..." series, I think this is my favorite. It is not out of date as others, probably because the monuments of Paris have not changed all that much. (Although I.M.Pei's famous pyramid is left out of this book, of course.)

The illustrations are lovely and really fit the atmosphere of Paris.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Paris. I love this book. I'm going to Paris again soon and am going to check out a few sights that this book has taught me to love already (the dog cemetary for instance) and reappreciate the oldest public clock- we found it last time but didn't appreciate it's significance.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations! Read to my daughter who was home sick this week. She is a 3rd grader, and we are reading chapter books...but this was a fabulous journey back to picture books. We both loved it!

[Katheline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit old fashioned, but very recognisable story about Paris. Vivid drawings, nice story-telling with some fun facts for kids (eg number of cats living in paris). Books you have to collect if you're passionate about famous cities!

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great introduction to Paris, and a fun series. I now know to be sure to avoid horse meat there, not to take the stairs on the Eiffel Tower, and have a good list of must-sees. Plus the artwork is great and it's aimed at things kids would notice, like the various types of lampposts.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1959 and republished in 2004 this books is still a treasure! There are few clarification at the back of the book, but there aren't enough to have it detract from the information! Love the Vintage feel! Enjoyed the information! One day Paris..One day!

[Michelle Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love these books written and illustrated by Sasek. The story is good, but admittedly, I love the illustrations more.

[Sus]

thanks for the rec, Lisa - these look like fun for the kids!

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little tour of Paris. The illustrations are terrific too. Check out all the other books by Miroslav Sasek.

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a gift from Caroline, Campbell, Jon, Chrissy, and Joey. It's a beautiful old-fashioned book that explores Paris through a child's eyes. Love it! Merci, kids!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun one to review all the landmarks in Paris. The kids love it!

[Livi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet book about all the cool sights in Paris with a bit of history behind each one. Totally charming, I will definitely buy a copy before my first trip to the city of lights!

[Šárka Krninská · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice for children, unexpected view on Paris. Un peu Paris archaique, la "nouvelle" Paris manque.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a neat travel book for kids. This book is about the city of Paris.

[Rosemary Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasek's travel books are so clever and informative. A delight to read and read again.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een mooi boek over Parijs, ah Parijs ik hoop zo dat ik je ooit kan bezoeken! Heerlijk om door het Parijs van 1960-ish te huppelen en te zien wat er allemaal te zien is (veel was herkenbaar natuurlijk ondanks dat er al zoveel jaar voorbij is gegaan sinds het is gemaakt). Ik vond het heerlijk en ik genoot met volle teugen van mijn reis door Parijs. Even langs de Eifeltoren, een mooie wandeling langs de Seine, wat leuke winkels en lekker eten zien en genieten er van.
De vertaling, wel ik mijn hoofd maar grotendeels uitgezet ervoor, het verpest anders echt het boek. Dus dit keer even niet iets over de vertaling, er zullen vast wel fouten zijn en vertalingen scheef zijn. Maar meh. Ik heb geen zin meer er in.

[ansvarcova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Šaškovy ilustrace jsou něco neskutečného, opravdu je to takové pohlazení po duši. Každopádně kniha To je Paříž mi přišla - jak texty, tak samotnými kresbami - o něco slabší, než To je Praha, která byla od Šaška mou prvotinou.

[Jacklyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be super cute and a fun way to give children an insight on what pairs is like and even has some words in French. It’s got cute pictures that are easy to understand and follow the story well!

[jorgeordas · Rating 5 out of 5]

La mejor compra que hice en el rastro. Lo leí con mi chica me alegró la tarde. Buenísimo!!

[carlafradd · Rating 5 out of 5]

lo hemos leído jorge y yo juntos x la tarde💘😭🥰 dibujos cuquisimos jo