Ariane et Nicolas #5

The fifth volume in Paul Roux's charming French-language adventure series finds Ariane, Nicolas, and their colorful crew scrambling across the crumbling battlements of a towering medieval fortress — one daring young hero in red dangling perilously over the edge while the rest of the gang reacts with a wonderfully expressive mix of alarm and wide-eyed chaos. Roux's cover art is warm and kinetic, with lively character designs and a vertiginous stone-castle setting that perfectly captures the series' blend of humor and breathless adventure. Published by Les 400 Coups in 2012, *Les Tours de Babel* looks like a delightful addition to this kid-friendly saga.