Customer Reviews

Madeline

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although "Madeline" probably needs no introduction, this classic story set in Paris is about a Miss Clavel and twelve little girls. The smallest girl is Madeline, who is brave and does not even get scared of a lion in the zoo. Madeline scares Miss Clavel when one night she... Ludwig Bemelmans does a great job of corresponding the illustrations to the content of the story. The scene where Madeline is saying "pooh-pooh" to the lion, it has more color than other pages making it exciting. The illustrations compliment the plot and setting of the story by giving each page a mood that helps create the story. The rythem and humor in this book will appeal to most children. I found when reading it to my daughter we both giggled at the many rhymes which Ludwig Bemelmans chose as the characteristic to tell this story in. I would reccomend this book for readers at the preschool age up to age eight or so. For the younger reader it has a great rythem and illustrations that keep the eye interested. For the older reader the story is equally interesting with a slight hint of suspence. Ludwig Bemelmans drawing's of the Opera, Notre Dame in the rain and of the children playing in the Luxembourg gardens give a classic picture of Paris. The illustrations coupled with the easy flow of the story and rhyme will allow this book to be enjoyed in a timeless fashion! DawnENGL340 at SJC

Our daughter 4th birthday present from a friend of mine who grew up on Madeline too. Now our girl is already 8 years old and still reads Madeline. And she learns how to write her own poems following Ludwig's example. After 4 years, it is still her favourite book by her bedside.

All the Madeline books are well written and fun for children because of the rhyming text. My oldest has memorized each story and delights in finishing the sentances. Madeline had wonderful adventures, and the hospital story helped my daughter discuss her overnight stay in the hospital. The illistrations are also wonderful, and give readers a glimpse of famous French sites. J Spahn

I read it to me kids on demand. They never tire of it, nor do I. If you like this book, try Suzy, Fair Suzy by Hugh Aaron, a beautifully illustrated book in verse about a girl who loses her doll, and the arrival of a sibling.

I loved this book when I was growing up, now I'm 30 years old and I still remember my mother reading it to me. I don't have any children, but will buy this book for my neice. It brings back special memories.

What else can be said about Ludwig Bemelmans wonderful Madeline books? Madeline is a fantastic story which my three children (and myself) have enjoyed for years. A lovely story set in the most beautiful city with neat characters. It is a joy that every house should have a copy of.

This is my favorite book of all time. I am ten years old and I still love Madeline! Miss Clavell teaches Madeline that she can do anything that she makes up her mind to do. I think every kid would love Madeline!

I missed the Madeline books completely when I was a child, so my daughter and I discovered them together. It's an education seeing Madeline through her eyes. In Madeline, my daughter, who is somewhat shy and leery of new experiences, has a heroine who is smart, spunky, and completely in control of every situation.

I like Madeline the character a lot more than I like the books. I've found that very few writers can write wonderful verse, and I don't include Bemelmans in that august company. Some of his rhymes flow nicely together, such as the opening lines of the first book:

In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. Some of his rhymes are jarring:

and soon after Dr. Cohn came, he rushed out to the phone, and he dialed : DANton-ten-six --

'Nurse,' he said, 'it's an appendix!' Everybody had to cry --

not a single eye was dry. . . . Madeline woke up two hours

later, in a room with flowers.

Still, the story isn't bad. A brave little girl is rushed to the hospital, has her appendix out, then shows off her scar. She makes it so exciting that all the other girls want their appendix out, too. Even my daughter wanted to have an appendix scar, until I explained just what that would entail.

Genevieve had feelings of compassion and loyalty to the people in her community and would not be discouraged by being thrown out into the street. She remained faithful even when they said, "she'll have to go".