The saga of Manolito Gafotas, written by Elvira Lindo, is one of the most beloved collections of the children's and young adult literature in Spanish. Through the voice of Manolito Garcia Moreno, a child of Carabanchel Alto, readers are immersed in their daily lives, full of funny anecdotes, absurd situations and endearing characters such as his brother "the Imbecile", his best friend the Big Eared Lopez, his grandfather Nicholas and his mother, who has little patience with him.
Since its first publication in 1994, the series has been a success both in the books and on television and film. Manolito's humor, freshness and spontaneity have won over several generations of readers.
If you want to read the books in order, here is the complete list with their synopsis:
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Manolito Gafotas' books in order of publication
1. Manolito Gafotas (1994)
The book that started it all. Here we meet Manolito, a boy with glasses who lives in Carabanchel Alto and tells us, in first person, about his life at home, at school and in the neighbourhood. With spontaneous and sincere humour, he introduces us to his family, his friends and his daily adventures.
Preview | Product | Price | |
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| Manolito Gafotas (Stealth Library) | 8,50 EUR | Buy on Amazon |
2. Poor Manolito (1995)
Manolito continues to narrate his daily life, but this time with more problems at school and at home. His mother is fed up, his grandfather is still his best friend and the Jerk, his little brother, continues to be a nightmare.. In addition, he has conflicts with his best friend, Big Ears, and experiences situations that can only happen to him.
Preview | Product | Price | |
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| Poor Manolito (Stealth Library) | 8,50 EUR | Buy on Amazon |
3. How cool am I! (1996)
Manolito believes that already has reached an incredible level of "coolness", but the rest of the world doesn't seem to agree. His adventures and problems grow, and his humor remains intact as he faces funny and sometimes awkward situations.
Preview | Product | Price | |
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| How cool am I! (Stealth library) | 8,50 EUR | Buy on Amazon |
4. Manolito on the road (1997)
It's summer and Manolito embarks on a truck trip with his grandfather Nicholas, which promises to be a great adventure. This book shows us the most endearing side of the relationship between grandfather and grandson, without losing the humor that characterizes the series.
Preview | Product | Price | |
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| Manolito on the road (Stealth Library) | 8,50 EUR | Buy on Amazon |
5. Dirty laundry (1998)
Here, Manolito tells us Their most "unspeakable" secretsWith his usual style, he reveals details of his life that he had not told before, from his craziest thoughts to unexpected anecdotes.
Preview | Product | Price | |
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| Dirty laundry (Stealth library) | 8,50 EUR | Buy on Amazon |
6. Me and the Idiot (1999)
This book focuses on Manolito's relationship with his Little Brother, the Idiot. Although he considers him a nuisance, the story shows us how, in his own way, Manolito also feels affection for him. As always, the protagonist's antics will make you laugh non-stop.
Preview | Product | Price | |
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| Me and the Idiot (Stealth Library) | 8,50 EUR | Buy on Amazon |
7. Manolito has a secret (2002)
This time, Manolito faces a big secret, something that worries him and could change many things. Meanwhile, he continues to deal with his mother, Orejones, his brother and, of course, his beloved grandfather Nicolás.
Preview | Product | Price | |
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| Manolito has a secret (Stealth Library) | 8,50 EUR | Buy on Amazon |
8. Best Manolo (2012)
After several years without new adventures, Manolito returns more mature (according to him, of course). Now his life has changed: his family has grown, his mother has new worries and he tries to be a more responsible child. However, he is still the same Manolito as always, with his sense of humour and his unique way of seeing the world.
Preview | Product | Price | |
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| Best Manolo (Stealth Library) | 13.25 EUR | Buy on Amazon |
In what order should you read Manolito Gafotas' books?
It is best to read books in the order of publication, as this follows the evolution of the character and his environment. However, each book has self-contained stories, so they can also be read independently.
Some questions about Manolito Gafotas
How old is Manolito Gafotas today?
In his first book, Manolito is 8 years old. However, being a literary character, he does not age in real time. In the last installment of the saga, Best Manolo (2012), he is already 12 years old. If we stick to the age of the first book, he is around 40 years old today.
Which beach is Manolito Gafotas's?
In the story, Manolito and his family go on holiday to Rota beach, in the province of Cadiz, Spain. This coastal town is known for its family atmosphere and golden sandy beaches.
Where can I watch the series? Manolito Gafotas?
The series of Manolito Gafotas, which aired in 2004 on Antena 3, is not available on popular streaming platforms such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. However, you can find episodes on YouTube or on-demand TV content sites.
What is the name of the idiot of Manolito Gafotas?
Manolito constantly refers to his younger brother as “the Imbecile.” Although his real name is not mentioned frequently in the books, in the story he is simply known by that affectionate (if somewhat cruel) nickname by Manolito.
Where was the film shot? Manolito Gafotas?
The film Manolito Gafotas (1999), directed by Miguel Albaladejo, was filmed mainly in Madrid, in the Carabanchel district, where the character's adventures take place. Some scenes were also filmed in Rota, Cádiz, to represent the family's vacation.
The saga of Manolito Gafotas It remains a must-read for those looking for a fun, tender story with a unique take on childhood. Elvira Lindo created an unforgettable character who has marked generations of readers with his wit and naturalness.
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