I am also American (born and raised in Chile). The Little Prince is extremely well-known over there. I am personally very fond of it.

I lived in America (NJ and CA) for 25 years and plenty of people knew about The Little Prince.

I've even seen people wearing shirts with the drawing of the snake that ate the elephant.

It's not that obscure, even in the US. Anyone who takes French in US high school has probably read it in French (it's very easy to read), and even in English it's one of the most common classic children's books.

Apparently James Dean loved the book from an early age, so guessing it must have had some popularity in the USA.

Ohio, extremely popular. My son's playroom is all Le Petit Prince and a neighbor teaches it at school

I think it's rather a kind-of- schooling-and-education thing.

for schools in a "humanistic" tradition I dare to bet it's canon.

it's a very beautiful read and when you have time, go and grab a sweet illustrated full text paper copy in your language of choice, it has been translated in all languages of the world, and there are wonderful editions of the book. I treasure a large pop up one.

At first glance it looks and feels like a childrens book, but really, is it? Antoine de Saint-Exupéry offers a very unique and poetic look at humankind and a truly timeless masterpiece, touching not so children topic's like different types of vanity, several perspectives on the rat race, addiction, love of course, both "caritas" and "amor" and at an idealistic level also "eros", responsibility for nature, it even touches on assisted suicide, but all of these little essays which are woven into a story arc are told with deep love and tenderness and clarity.

fine dining, if you wish, a gourmet story, really.

you can tell I like it :-D

I live in the Netherlands for almost 50 years and never heard of it either.