Raskin, A. When Papa Was Little (Quand Papa était petit / Kogda papa byl malenkim), 1966. In French.

Raskin, Alexandre.
Quand Papa était petit. / Traduit du russe par Alice Orane ; Illustrations de Lev Tokmakov.
Moscou : Éditions du Progrès, 1966.
126 p. : ill. ; Format 24 × 17 cm. Reliure d'éditeur cartonnée. En français.
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Raskin, Alexander.
When Papa Was Little. / Translated from Russian by Alice Orane; Illustrated by Lev Tokmakov.
Moscow : Progress Publishers, 1966.
126 pp. : ill. ; 24 × 17 cm. Hardcover. In French.

This 1966 French-language edition of Alexander Raskin’s beloved collection is a quintessential example of Soviet efforts to export high-quality children’s literature to an international audience. Quand Papa était petit is a series of humorous and poignant short stories where the author recounts his own childhood mischief to his daughter, bridging the generational gap with warmth and irony. The narrative serves as a gentle pedagogical tool, helping young readers navigate the complexities of the adult world by revealing that every "papa" was once a child who made mistakes, played pranks, and learned valuable life lessons. The text provides a deep dive into the internal logic of mid-century domestic life, including the arrangement of schoolroom dynamics, the social etiquette of childhood friendships, and the timeless nature of growing up.
A significant highlight of this edition is the visual contribution of Lev Tokmakov, one of the most celebrated illustrators of the Soviet era. Tokmakov’s vivid, expressive, and slightly whimsical style perfectly captures the irony of Raskin’s prose, bringing the "little papa’s" adventures to life with a modern, mid-century aesthetic. Published by Editions du Progrès (Progress Publishers) in a durable hardcover format, this volume was designed to showcase the artistic and moral standards of Soviet children’s culture to the Francophone world. Across its 126 pages, the book remains a testament to the skill of translator Alice Orane and the universal appeal of Raskin's storytelling. For collectors of children's literature and Soviet-era translations, this 1966 edition is a charming primary source that continues to resonate with its depiction of the innocence and humor of early youth.