What do we play in particular during the All Saints’ Day holidays? To scare yourself, of course. And this very pretty pop-up is sure to make the youngest readers shiver. However, here, there is no witch or ogre, haunted castle or ghost, monster or evil pumpkin but… a rabbit! Yes, a rabbit went to look for tuberous parsley in the Sans-soucis vegetable garden. Except that, in the darkness, he takes the wrong route and finds himself in the sinister Whispering Forest with a carnivorous plant, zombie rabbits and vampire bats all the same… A great animated album, colorful and which, thanks in the illustrator’s work, teems with frightening details: beware of what comes out of the pages. And if you think this story will end well, nothing is less certain! Knock, knock, knock…
By Annabelle Buxton and Olivier Charbonnel, La Martinière jeunesse, 12 pages, €23. From 4 years old.
Monsieur Bigounia
But who is this strange oddball who has just settled in the village? He has his beard covered in daisies, tells nature he loves her and organizes earthworm races in his garden. The children love it, the parents much less. They don’t want “weeds” and stinging bees… Until they decide to enter the competition for the most beautiful flower village. An album written in homage to the Colibris environmental movement, by Pierre Rabhi, and the importance of everyone’s small gestures in protecting nature. But a work also imbued with a message of tolerance towards everyone, even the strangest among us, and the importance of intergenerational links.
By Agnès de Lestrade and Nina Six (illustrations), Sarbacane, 40 p., €15.90. From 5 years old.
Comics
Phoenix and Dragons (volume 1): Fadaribouille and Croc’bouille
Lina and Sören are twins. They are also Elves. They live with their parents: mom is a fantasy creature veterinarian; Dad grows vegetables to feed these animals. Lina and Sören will enter school, will learn to read, write and develop their magical powers. The arrival of two orphaned baby dragons in the family will shake up their lives. The two children will quickly bond with the dragons and will join forces to defend them when an elf practicing black magic wants to seize them. The designs are warm, the colors attractive. Each board is an adventure in itself.
By Séverine de la Croix (screenplay) and Giorga de Salvo (drawings), Splash editions, 48 pages, €8.95. From 3 years old.
The Forest of Time (volume 4): The Vengeance of Bahamuth
Launched in pursuit of the mysterious thief who stole the stone that keeps their village outside of time, Mileva, Théo, Léo and Marie have left the Forest of Time. Protected from accelerated aging by the power of their own magical stones, they finally reach the city of the Gods. Where these giants walk among men, they will discover the secrets of the birth of humanity and the origin of many myths and legends of our world. Threatened by the terrible titan Bahamut, the city of the Gods nevertheless seems to be living its last moments of tranquility. But our young heroes are far from having said their last word! If the drawing is primarily aimed at young people, the story and its time loops could also appeal to an older audience. To read and reread before the publication of volume 5 which should conclude the cycle.
By Tristan Roulot (screenplay), Mateo Guerrero (drawing) and Amparo Crespo Cardenete (colors), Le Lombard editions, 48 pages, €11.95. From 8 years old.
Video games
Looney Tunes Wacky World of Sports
Welcome to the cute world of Looney Tunes. With Wacky World of Sportsyou can play tennis, football, golf and basketball. Ten characters are available, ranging from Sylvester the cat to Bugs Bunny, including Daffy Duck. The controls take a little time to get used to, then the games come together quickly. The bulk of the game is based on a major competition where all sports are mixed. There is a challenge mode and another for simple games with up to four players (without online play). An ideal game for children, in a neat universe where the gags hit the mark. It’s just missing a few characters and a little more depth.
GameMill publishing. On Switch, Xbox, PlayStation and PC. From €50. PEGI 7.
Spy X Anya Operation Memories
Manga phenomenon, Spy X Family appeals as much, if not more, to children as to older ones. This spy comedy, in which the members of a family go to great lengths to mount a special operation, is based on one of the most adorable characters in Japanese animation: Anya. The telepathic and clumsy little girl is at the center of this game, based on her family and school life. Some levels consist of collecting memories, taking perfect photos, like the famous Pokémon Snap. But the multiple activities that the little girl practices are all mini-games of skill to play with family or friends, from bowling to cutting vegetables, including dodgeball…
Bandai Namco. On Switch, PlayStation and PC. Around €35. PEGI 12.
Board games
Super Meow
What if you introduced your children to deckbuilding thanks to Super Miaou? In this game, you will have to be the first to find the superhero by revealing, at the same time, the cat card and the cape card. Each player begins the game with coin cards which will allow them, over the rounds, to purchase items. Simple, yes, but strategic all the same because, on your turn, you will have to turn over the two cards in your hand (which you do not choose) and decide on an action: collect other coins; buy a mouse to steal from an opponent; stock up on cats and capes to maximize your chances of victory or even discard a card. With its terms suitable for children (“backpack” for storing your cards, “washing machine” when you need to shuffle them), its clear rules and its box which serves as a support, Super Miaou will amuse young and old alike. It won the prestigious 2024 As d’Or for children’s game of the year, a guarantee of its quality.
Space Cow, 2 to 4 players, €15. From 6 years old.
Syllabus
Syllabus is the latest addition to the children’s range from the northern publisher Gigamic. When they wake up, endearing animals realize that they can no longer remember their dreams. Guided by the stars, they put on their astronaut outfits and travel from image to image to reconstruct their lost dreams. A clever word race game in which children must find the best way to reach the moon. When his turn comes, the player must name the image on which his animal is located and move it as many squares as there are syllables in the chosen word. Each image card has several illustrations, representing words with different numbers of syllables. It’s up to the player to make the right choice to advance as quickly as possible. Visually very successful, Syllabus allows children to find their way in space and work on their vocabulary. A game that has its place in a nursery school.
Gigamic, 2 to 4 players, €20. From 4 years old.
Cheesenapping
Either sleeper or thief, that’s the card that says it. In Cheesenapping, a simple role-playing game, the goal is to find out who stole the cheese during the night. Everyone closes their eyes to sleep and only wakes up at specific times defined by dice rolls, the results of which are hidden from other players. During these awakenings, the thief steals, the sleepers check what is happening. After six “hours” (the number of faces on the die) counted by the game master, day breaks and discussions begin. Count on the thief to cover his tracks and place the blame on someone else! The sleepers must cooperate to unmask him. A bluff and deduction game with different rules depending on the number of players, Cheesenapping promises quick games (around ten minutes) and is aimed at children aged 8 and over. As long as you keep your eyes closed when it’s not their turn to wake up…
Don’t panic games, 4 to 8 players, €30. From 8 years old.
