Interest age: from c 7 years

Getafix, Obelix, Dogmatix and Asterix visit Egypt to help an architect build a palace for Caesar. There they are entranced by the Sphinx, the pyramids and Cleopatra's nose.

Asterix and Obelix are celebrating their joint birthday party in the Gaulish village - and some surprising guests have been invited. Julius Caesar has to deal with his old enemy Pompey, who is looking for supporters among the legions in Gaul.

In book seven of the Asterix series, the Romans persuade a Gaulish chief to challenge Vitalstatistix to single combat. This poses no threat until Getafix is hit by a flying menhir and forgets how to make the magic potion.

Asterix's village has got oil fever - Getafix can't make the magic potion without it and Asterix and Obelix have been sent to far off lands to find a supply. But their party is infiltrated by an undercover druid who has plans of his own.

Neighbouring Gaulish Chief Whosemoralsarelastix asks Vitalstatistix and his villagers to look after a cauldron full of money to keep it out of Roman hands, but the chief, whose morals are as dubious as his name suggests, is bent on doublecrossing everyone. Asterix and Obelix must find the money.

Upheavals and pandemonium are definitely on the horizon! The daughter of the famous Gaulish chieftain Vercingetorix is being hunted down by the Romans. She secretly finds refuge in the village of our indomitable Gauls - the only place in Roman-occupied Gaul that can guarantee her protection. And ...

The Gauls have only one fear - that the sky may fall on their heads tomorrow. But tomorrow never comes, says Chief Vitalstatistix. Or does it? For now it seems to have come at last for Asterix, Obelix and the other villagers.

In this adventure, Asterix the Gaul and his friend Obelix travel to the land of the Goths to rescue their druid, Getafix. There they show their usual strength by bashing the Goths, before returning to their village for the customary banquet.

Chief Vitalstatistix makes a rash bet with his brother-in-law, the infuriating show-off Homeopathix, whom he invites to dine on a stew seasoned with Caesar's laurel wreath. It is up to Asterix and Obelix, of course, to got to Rome and acquire the wreath.

This is the 28th book in the popular Asterix series, in which Asterix travels on a magic carpet to India.