Customer Reviews

Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was very disappointed after reading Madeline in America. I don't feel this story is in sync with other Madeline stories. The story dwelled on Money. I don't feel little children need to learn about trust funds, inheritance or all the things money can buy. I give the book 2 stars for the other 2 stories in the book that are not Madeline stories, but are quite cute. If you purchase this book, you may want to 'write your own story' to go along with the pictures in Madeline in America. The pictures are Texas scenes, and your children can probably tell a much better adventure story than an inheritance story. I feel obligated to let you know this isn't Typical Madeline so you will be prepared and not disappointed, as I was.

Although the "Madeline" story doesn't live up to the earlier books (the rhythm is bumpy), it is entertaining. The other stories are absolutely marvelous, as are all the illustrations. John Bemelmans Marciano is a worthy successor to his granddaddy. This would make a great Christmas gift for any Madeline fan.

When Ludwig Bemelmans passed away he was working on a final Madeline book. Although he had completed the text, the pictures were only in sketch form. His grandson has apparently inherited all of his artistic talent and done a beautiful job completing his work. Adults and children alike will love this story. Plus - there are two other marvelous children's stories by Bemelmans re-published. Three books for the price of one!

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898 -- 1962) published six Madeline children's stories in his lifetime, beginning with "Madeline" in 1939, together with much else. I had been reading these six stories to my four-year old granddaughter in Texas in a collection called "Mad about Madeline" when she brought me her "new" Madeline book, "Madeline in America". I had known of this book, but I had never read it. And I didn't know it took place in Texas.

Bemelmans wrote "Madeline in America" in 1955 following a visit to Texas during the course of which he met and befriended Stanley Marcus of Neiman Marcus. In 1956, Neiman-Marcus gave out a small version of the book to Christmas shoppers. The version in this book includes Bemelmans's text together with new color illustrations by his grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano. In addition to the "Madeline" story, this book includes two other Bemelmans stories, "The Count and the Cobbler" which appeared in 1935, and "Sunshine" written in 1949 with some new illustrations by Marciano. In addition the book includes a short reminiscence, "A Bemelmans Christmas Memory" by Bemelmans's daughter, Barbara Bemelmans.
All the stories in the book are loosely organized around Christmas.

In the title story, young Madeline learns that she has received an inheritance from her great-grandfather in Texas. Miss Clavel, Madeline's 11 little girl companions, and Genevive, the dog, travel to Texas where Madeline learns she has become wealthy indeed. She sees a large ranch, oil fields, and a department store and causes her ususal mischief when she gets lost. Commendably, Miss Clavel is alarmed at the materialism of it all. But the story comes out right in the end as Miss Clavel and her entourage including Madeline return to the "Old house in Paris covered with vines" where, by the terms of the will Madeline is to remain under the tutelage of Miss Clavel until she is 21.

The early story, "The Count and the Cobbler" is a delight and has the feel of a folk-tale. "Sunshine" is set in New York City and seems to me a bit sophisticated for 4-year olds. My granddaughter did not seem to enjoy it as much as the others. Similarly, the short essay by Barbara Bemelmans is more a reminiscence for adults than a story for young children.

Marciano's full-color illustrations are good in their own right. They are more self-consciously artistic and lack the spontaniety of his grandfather's own "Madeline" illustrations. The major attraction of this book for my granddaughter was a Madeline story set in Texas. Little children, and their parents and grandparents who love Madeline will enjoy this follow-up volume.

Robin Friedman

ISBN 0590039105 - Madeline's last book might, just by coincidence, be the best way for her to exit. The only potential negative is that, by bundling it in with three other stories, the sense of farewell, and of a glimpse at her future, is diluted.

A preface by John Bemelmans Marciano, the grandson of Madeline creator Ludwig Bemelmans, explains how this book came to be published after the author's death.

In the first story, Madeline in America, Madeline receives a cable, informing her of the death of her great-grandfather. She and the girls, along with Miss Clavel, head to his ranch in Texas for the reading of the will over Christmas. Overwhelmed by the lavish and carefree life she envisions, Madeline is all set to drop out of school until Great-Grandad's will is read. It says she will inherit when she is 21 and must, until then, attend school. There is very little actual focus on money, here, other than the excitement of little kids at getting gifts. It's Christmas, that's normal!

The second story, The Count and the Cobbler, is a short story about a cobbler who, as the saying goes, has the most poorly shod children of all. A sale to a rich count and the surprising brilliance of his youngest child leads to shoes for all, in time for them to be able to go out and sing Christmas carols.

The third story is unusual, in that it's a true story. A Bemelmans Christmas Memory is by Barbara Bemelman, the daughter of Ludwig. In it, she tells about some of her childhood holidays, including her favorite memory of Christmas 1949. At "21" on Christmas Eve, she and her family watch as a group of Salvation Army volunteers go from table to table, soliciting donations from the restaurant's well-dressed, well-off clientele. She is proud that her parents AREN'T the best dressed, and certain that her father's donation was the largest of all. It's a very short tale, but a nice one, especially since it's a child who takes note of what is important.

The fourth and final story, Sunshine, tells of a man who would like to rent out an apartment - if only he could find the right tenant. Unfortunately, the "right" tenant doesn't seem to exist! When he finally does find that perfect, quiet tenant, he's in for a surprise. Miss Moore runs a music school, among other disturbing things. Try as he might, he can't get her out of his apartment building and eventually, at Christmastime, he realizes he doesn't, really, want to.

The illustrations are typical Madeline for the most part; if you're not a fan, you're not going to become one now. The least well-done are some of those in the final story, with most of them being black sketches on backgrounds of purple or yellow. On the other hand, the full-color illustrations in that final story more than make up for the less-attractive ones. The Christmas theme here is a very thin strand to hang an anthology on, but Madeline's fans won't mind that a bit! This oversized book is one that you really need, to top off that collection.

- AnnaLovesBooks

Even though these are tales that are completed by Bemelmans' grandson, I barely noticed the differences. My children and I enjoy reading all of the Madeline series, so much so, that we have purchased all of them. I highly recommend this book.

"In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines." In 1939, Ludwig Bemelmans began writing stories about a group of girls in a school in Paris, foremost among whom was the irrepressible Madeline. Those books are now considered classics in children's literature, having collected many awards.

This book is actually a collection of three stories, and one work by Barbara Bemelmans where she reminisces about Christmas in the Bemelmans household. The first story is the longest and is the only Madeline story. In this Madeline adventure, Madeline's is saddened to learn of the death of her great-grandpapa, who had made a fortune in Texas. And so, Miss Clavel and the rest of the girls go with Madeline to Texas, where they see so many fascinating things, and have so many fun adventures!

The second story is the shortest, and is about a cobbler whose children are ill-shod, and a count who wants only the best shoes, and the accident that makes everyone happy. The third story is about a man ill-named Mr. Sunshine who refuses to rent his apartment to anyone who might make noise. When he rents to a little old lady, he thinks he has the perfect tenant, but when it turns out that she is a music teacher, he must take stern action...but, all turns out for the best.

Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable book. I love Madeline, and enjoyed the Madeline story. The other stories were very good too. Now, this book is not very good on lessons. What did Madeline learn from her trip to Texas? What did the cobbler learn about making shoes? And, what did Mr. Sunshine learn about being a good neighbor? I don't know, perhaps nothing.

So, if you are looking for children's stories with great lessons, you will probably be disappointed. But, if you are looking for well-written and fun children's stories then you will be pleased...as was I and my little reader.

The book is so precious, I loved it and gave it to my granddaughter.