Identify a 1970s children's book that was probably originally French
January 10, 2023 4:10 PM Subscribe
I am trying to recall the name of a book I had as a child. I have a strong feeling that it was originally French or at least from a European country, but translated into English.
It was largely a picture book, with very detailed, cartoon-style pictures. The story was of two friends and a pet, maybe a ginger cat. One boy (the smaller) wore a sweater with horizontal blue and white stripes that seemed to have quasi magical powers to stretch and (eg) double as a parachute. They travelled around and found work in a bakery. I feel like there was a name Beebo or something like that, but Google is not returning anything useful. There was a plot line where in falling from the sky one of them became the mascot of a softdrink company which started out fun but became awful.
It was largely a picture book, with very detailed, cartoon-style pictures. The story was of two friends and a pet, maybe a ginger cat. One boy (the smaller) wore a sweater with horizontal blue and white stripes that seemed to have quasi magical powers to stretch and (eg) double as a parachute. They travelled around and found work in a bakery. I feel like there was a name Beebo or something like that, but Google is not returning anything useful. There was a plot line where in falling from the sky one of them became the mascot of a softdrink company which started out fun but became awful.
Best answer: a 1968 children's book maybe translated from French and titled Beebo and the Fizzimen
Philippe Fix’s Séraphin contre Séraphin.
posted by zamboni at 5:40 PM on January 10, 2023
Philippe Fix’s Séraphin contre Séraphin.
posted by zamboni at 5:40 PM on January 10, 2023
Response by poster: Yep Beebo and the Fizzimen was it! Amazing.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 5:48 PM on January 10, 2023
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 5:48 PM on January 10, 2023
Response by poster: And wow I had no idea about Seraphin! I always had a sense there were more books but never knew what to look for!
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 5:49 PM on January 10, 2023
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 5:49 PM on January 10, 2023
The description talks about Séraphin being a “ poinçonneur” a person who used to work on the Paris Metro and punch holes in passengers’ tickets. I don’t think we can talk about that occupation’s significance to French culture without linking to Serge Gainsbourg’s - Le poinçonneur des Lilas - the guy getting driven mad by the tedium of all the little punched holes and dreaming of escape - and revenge.
posted by rongorongo at 8:09 AM on January 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by rongorongo at 8:09 AM on January 11, 2023 [2 favorites]
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posted by Wobbuffet at 4:48 PM on January 10, 2023 [6 favorites]