A few days before Christmas, you still have to spoil children or teenagers – yours, your young niece Inès or your little cousin Marcel? Open your hood, we have enough to fill it! Children's Books, toys and even board games… Better: made in Strasbourg and other gems from Alsace. Because why look for gifts at the end of the world, all the way to Asia, when we can support local talent?
Books: from toddlers to teenagers
“Jim Curious” by Matthias Picard and the 2024 editions
We start with the series of Jim Curiousthe albums of Matthias Picard. They depict the adventures ofa little diver in a graphic universe close to engraving, to discover with 3D glasses.
A big bookstore success, translated and exported to around twenty countries since 2012… And which we owe to a Strasbourg publishing house: 2024 editions. We encourage you to take a look at their catalog, as well as that dedicated to youth – their label 4048 –: there is something to delight readers of all ages.
The talents of the Half Dozen Workshop
Still in illustration, we stop at Quai Finkmatt at the half-dozen workshop – which we talk about here from time to time – which is home to some great talents! To spoil our loved ones, we can indulge in the many publications from our residents…
For the toddlers: Like Hidden by Julia Fréchette (editions Les Fourmis rouge), or to the various books of Léo Righini-Fleur: Giga Pasta (written by Fred Éclair, at BenjaminsMedia), Simone (at Albin Michel Jeunesse) or The Grimaces (a pull-tab book from minedition).
For older children, we think of comics with Lili sets sail by Clara Hervé (at Biscoto), or those of Felix Auvardto whom we devoted a portrait article last April. A local talent, too funny as it is precocious with no less than four comics already published, including the excellent Chained to laughter.
Duos from Strasbourg: Laurence Kubler and Julia Coffre, Daisy Gand and Emeline Maciaszek
Another Pokaa favorite (from 2021): Laurence Kubler, serial author. If we had already fallen for his Big Bad Wolf Catalog and his Fantasy Catalog of Dragons and other creaturestwo albums illustrated by Étienne Friess, full of puns that will delight readers aged 8 and up… She returns with a new project.
Released in September, Lababine family, the son (published by Rue du Monde) is a project of friends, and of Strasbourg residents. With his pen and his humor, and the illustrations by graphic designer Julia Coffrewe discover a funny family, in the form of a whole new series accessible from 6 years old…Of which this is the first volume.
With the young dog Paco, who “finds oneself between the joy of chasing a stick and the joy of frolicking on the roofs with musical cats”we wonder: should we stick to habits and our education or not? Little bonus: nods to the half-timbering of the region, throughout the pages and illustrations.
Another duo: the illustrator Daisy Gand and the author Emeline Maciaszekwho joined forces to Gasoline Dagger. This time, a story for teenagers…That of a high school student « like the others, but unique in its kind »confronted with love.
When his friends get together, “Gasoline will take another path, less frequent, less frequented and therefore more difficult to cope with”. (To be found at the Atelier du Bain aux Plantes, or on sale directly from them).
Focus on Strasbourg illustrators: Célia Housset, Laura Kientzler, Anna Griot and Clémence Dupont
For the holidays, we also spotted Cépages editions. A independent publishing house Who “cultivates” since 2013 illustrated children's albums, “bearers of meaning” printed in France with respect for the environment…If she is Parisian, she counts in her catalog several children's books by Strasbourg illustrators !
So, Laura Kientzler y by lot Emile and Felixa sweet story for 3-6 year olds (with the author Stéphanie Demasse-Pottier), around a little rabbit without parents or first name, who is taken in by a large hermit rabbit.
5-7 year olds will fall for Mister Catthe first album by Célia Housset (also in collaboration with the author Stéphanie Demasse-Pottier). The story of a “the youngest puny of a family of superb angoras [qui] Wasn't really anything special. Until[à] his meeting with a mouse lady [qui] the metamorphos[e] as a prince of the night, as a king of the nouba”.
And for all ages: the numerous albums of the Strasbourg illustrator Anna Griotpublished by Cépages (Maryam and Maroussia for 5-7 year olds), and from other publishing houses (Sarbacane, Albin Michel or Longues et Courtes). One of his last: The night of wild lightsa poetic initiatory tale to discover from 6 years old (published by We don’t count for butter).
As for mini-aficionados of dinosaurs : the whole universe of Clemence Dupontat the origin of “Dinoël” (the first Strasbourg market for creators around paleoart and popularization of science). Books, but also posters, puzzles… There’s something to delight all the curious little ones.
Toys: for the youngest
In the toy departmentif you haven't already made a detour to Carijou (in store or on the OFF Market) for great second-hand finds… You can find lovely local creations.
Among them: the “Cathedral of Race” by artist Joseph Kieffer. A classic that we come across here and there in Strasbourg (developed and available from Libre Objet ; or in the 5th Place, for example) and which continues to delight generations since 2005.
A child's toy which blends very well into a parents' decorationwith its three pop primary colors that make it popular. Whether it's to let the little ones play for the big prize, or for its collector's aspect: we love it.
Always at Libre Objet (association and integration project in Strasbourg): Les Sursauteursa series of articulated wooden puppets imagined by Strasbourg illustrator Julie Escoriza during the 2020 confinement. Choice of: four models handcrafted and named Gaston, Hector, Olga, Oscar.
And for a last minute idea, to slip into your Christmas stocking: the Spinning Top wooden. A toy from yesteryear revisited and correctedavailable in three colors, and… at a low price.
In another style, we fall for the ultra colorful universe of Aurélien Débat, Alsatian illustrator and graphic designer and graduated from Decorative Arts in Strasbourg (today Hear – Haute école des arts du Rhin).
Although he has since left the city, works and exhibits nationally… One of his creations will appeal to budding architects: Stampville, a set of 22 stamps pour « imagine a city from simple shapes »in yellow and blue. Fun and graphic : we love it. To be found here and there (and at the 5th Location).
Board games: for teenagers
For teenagerswe leave the toy box and move on to board games! And among the thousands of references on the market: there is something local with a game published by Disto Studioand “workshop for creating and publishing distorted board games” Strasbourg (composed of Maria Paloma Sanchez and Luc Anuszewski)!
After becoming known with Strascendance – a board game about the epidemic of 1518 and unfortunately cannot be found for sale today –, Disto Studio by lot Epios in 2022. A game of cards “fast, tactical and scalable” well rated, and accessible from 12 years old.
Created by WaDri, and superbly illustrated by Quentin Hell (both from Strasbourg), he takes us to the island, city and state of Ephios, in a dystopian universe. The goal? Grab the seat of power, through shenanigans and alliances. And good point for him: it is possible to play under three modes… Fast, campaign, and even single player.
More artisanal: Lomino, a wooden game for 2 to 4 people, created by A. Gavet-Durr, M. Rodriguez and P. Vasseur, designed and available at Libre-Objet (or to be found on LabelEmmaüs).
In his bag: several functions depending on the mood. For ” earn “it’s about laying all your “lominoes” first. But to simply « s’amuser », this turns into a construction and drawing gamewhere it will suffice to“stack the Lominos and let go [son] imagination ».
It's official: the list for Santa Claus has grown significantly, with deep down the desire to be children again and let ourselves be spoiled.
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