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Fly into a new language

Paul the Pilot's children's books turn fun language learning into journeys to China, Spain and France. More countries and languages will follow soon.

Paul the Pilot 1
Paul the Pilot 2

Meet Paul the Pilot.

Paul is a pilot who travels the world, and children travel with him. Each book takes the children to a new city, where they begin to learn the native language alongside the English language.

A revolutionary series of children's books in English, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Pinyin. A children's entertainment, language-learning and travel brand, with recognisable characters and stories built around international destinations, using English combined with other languages.

Paul is a friendly, adventurous pilot who loves flying to exciting destinations and discovering new places. He enjoys learning about different cultures and sharing his adventures with his children, Simon and Lucy.

Who's on board

  • Paul the Pilot

    Paul

    Pilot

    A friendly, adventurous pilot who loves flying to new places and learning about different cultures.

  • Suzanne the Security Officer

    Suzanne

    Airport security officer

    A friendly, cheerful airport security officer who keeps passengers and staff safe.

  • Pete 123 the Plane

    Pete 123

    Talking aeroplane

    Paul’s special talking aeroplane and trusted flying companion.

  • Arthur the Air Traffic Controller

    Arthur

    Air traffic controller

    The air traffic controller who guides Paul and Pete 123 from the control tower.

  • Charlie the Co-Pilot

    Charlie

    The Co-Pilot

    Charlie is Paul's cheerful co-pilot and flying partner. He helps with important flight communications and enjoys having fun along the way.

Learning through adventure

Each journey puts English alongside the language of the city, so children meet new words in a story they already want to follow.

  • English with Mandarin and Pinyin

    中文Zhōngwén

    Pinyin shows how Mandarin sounds in familiar letters.

  • European Spanish

    Español

    The Spanish spoken in Spain, set in Barcelona.

  • French

    Français

    Set in Paris.

The books

Three fun language learning books that take children on journeys to: Beijing, China. Barcelona, Spain. Paris, France. More journeys and languages will be added. Be sure to come back and give us another visit soon.

  • Paul the Pilot Flies to Beijing
    • English
    • Mandarin
    • Pinyin

    Paul the Pilot Flies to Beijing

    Journey: Beijing, China

    Join Paul the Pilot on an exciting adventure to Beijing, China, aboard his cheerful plane Pete 123! Along the way, Paul discovers famous landmarks, learns Chinese words and expressions, meets new friends, and explores fascinating Chinese traditions. From the Great Wall and the Forbidden City to a scenic river cruise and a fun introduction to tai chi, every stop brings a new discovery.

    View book: Paul the Pilot Flies to Beijing
  • Paul the Pilot Flies to Barcelona
    • English
    • European Spanish

    Paul the Pilot Flies to Barcelona

    Journey: Barcelona, Spain

    Join Paul the Pilot and his cheerful plane, Pete 123, on an exciting adventure from England to Barcelona, Spain! Along the way, Paul introduces young readers to the wonders of flying, fascinating landmarks, and Spanish words and expressions. From spotting the famous Sagrada Família to exploring Barcelona's beautiful harbour, visiting the Columbus Monument, and enjoying a picnic in Ciutadella Park, Paul discovers the city's culture, sights, and friendly people.

    View book: Paul the Pilot Flies to Barcelona
  • Paul the Pilot Flies to Paris
    • English
    • French

    Paul the Pilot Flies to Paris

    Journey: Paris, France

    Join Paul the Pilot and his cheerful plane, Pete 123, on an exciting adventure from England to Paris! Along the way, young readers will discover famous French landmarks, learn simple French greetings, explore French culture and traditions, and enjoy amusing encounters with friendly characters. From the Eiffel Tower to a scenic cruise along the River Seine, Paul's journey is filled with fun, discovery and surprises. Perfect for young readers, this delightful story combines adventure, travel and language learning, inspiring children to explore the world and discover new cultures in both English and French.

    View book: Paul the Pilot Flies to Paris

For schools and educators

Paul the Pilot is made to be shared in the classroom and at home. If you work with an educational organisation, get in touch to talk about how the books could help.

Schools and organisations can also email ptp@nicier.com

Journeys so far

  • 3journeys so far: China, Spain and France
  • 3languages alongside English: Mandarin (with Pinyin), European Spanish and French
  • Morejourneys and languages planned

Frequently asked questions

Who are the books for?

The books are written for ages 4 to 7, and parents and educators choose them together.

Which languages do the books teach?

The first three journeys feature English with Mandarin and Pinyin (China), European Spanish (Barcelona) and French (Paris). More languages and journeys are planned.

Do I need to speak the language to read them?

No. Each story puts English alongside the new language and includes a pronunciation guide, so you can learn together.

What is Pinyin?

Pinyin is the system that writes the sounds of Mandarin using the Latin alphabet, with marks that show the tones. It helps English readers say Chinese words before they can read the characters.

What does European Spanish mean?

It is the Spanish spoken in Spain, as opposed to the varieties spoken in Latin America. The Barcelona book uses this version.

Where can I buy the books?

Each book page lists authorised retailers. Nicier does not sell books directly, so the buttons take you to the retailer's own site and open in a new tab.

Can schools or organisations use the books?

Yes, please get in touch. Choose Commercial partnership or Publishing enquiry on the contact form and tell Ray about your school or organisation.

Will there be more books?

Yes. More journeys and languages are planned, along with digital content. Ask on the contact form to hear first, or check back here for new titles.

Plan a journey with Paul

Sponsor, publish or partner. Tell us what you have in mind.