Customer Reviews

Madeline (Reading Chest)

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have had several occasions to read "Madeline" over the years, yet had never read anything about her. So learning that she had celebrated her 60th birthday was something of a surprise because I did not think of this first story of that irrepressible little girl as something that was first published on the eve of World War II. But the bigger surprise was learning that "Madeline" was not originally written and published in France, which I had always assumed was the case. That means all of those times I was reading this book and wondering what it would read like in the orignal French, I was completely off the mark. Live and learn.

Ludwig Bemelmans was actually born in 1898 in that part of the Tyrol which is now known as Merano, Italy, and came to the United States in 1914. A painter and illustrator, Bemelmans contributed covers to "The New Yorker," and also started writing fiction. His first children's book, "Hansi," was published in 1934. A world traveler and true cosmopolite, Bemelmans wrote and illustrated "Madeline" in 1939 but had trouble finding a publisher because most editors felt that despite its humorous verse and simple artwork the book was too sophisticated for children (Soon & Schuster originally published the book, although the rest of the series would be published by Viking, Bemelmans usual publisher). Bemelmans named his most popular creation for his wife, Madeleine Freund, whom he had married in 1935. They had a daughter named Barbara, who would provide inspiration for some of the Madeline books.

Thinking that this book was originally written and published in France is a reasonable conclusion given all of the Paris scenes Bemelmans pictures in his book. You have the Eiffel Tower on the cover and in one of the illustrations, the lady feeding the horse is in front of the Paris Opera House, the gendarme chases the jewel thief across the Place Vendome, the wounded soldier is at the Hotel des Invalides, the children visit Notre Dame in the rain and the Gardens at the Luxembourg on the sunny day, they sake in front of the Church of the Sacre Coeur, and the man feeding the birds is in the Tuileries Gardens which face the Louvre. These settings comprise part of the book's enduring charm. I always remember the yellow pages that represent "the old house in Paris that was covered with vines," especially since yellow is also the color of the hats, coats, and often the dresses that the "twelve little girls in two straight lines" wear. Yellow is also the color of Madeline's hair in this one, although that will change in future books. But Bemelmans also takes full advantage of the complete palette when he does the scenes that happen out and about Paris (and children like him because he colors outside the lines, just like they do).

Still, in the end the prime attraction is Madeline, who is the smallest one of the twelve girls. But Madeline "was not afraid of mice," just said "Pooh-pooh" to the tiger in the zoo, and knew how to frighten Miss Clavel more than anybody else. Madeline is smart, says what she thinks, and is she is a bit disobedient that is just another reason to love her. After all, she is part of a literary family of similar young girls that go back to Anne Shirley in the "Anne of Green Gables" books and Jo March in "Little Women" (Age them and I suppose you end up with Scarlett O'Hara). Perhaps not all little girls would be as brave as Madeline when they are rushed out to the hospital in the middle of the night for an emergency appendectomy, but I suspect most young girls would like to think that they would be as brave and that they would show off the scar on their stomach with as much élan as Madeline.

A short children's story about a young girl who lives with eleven other girls in a home in Paris and who has to go to the hospital to have her appendix removed. It was a 1940 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustration in a book for children. This book, and others in the Madeline series, have become classics in children literature and every serious student of children literature should have it on their shelves. Children love these books.

As a child, some of my favorite books were the Madeline stories. This is the first in the series, and it sets a wonderful tone. The illustrations are wonderful, and it's fun to see illustrations of actual Parisian landmarks such as the Opera, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and Tulleries. The story is fun, fast and catchy, and I used to wish that I was one of the little girls standing amongst the two straight lines lead by Miss Clavel.

This book is not just for little girls. Boys can enjoy the story as well.

Young boys like this too. I think too often we steer boys away from books with girl protagonists, and that attitude stays with them. A 3 to 5 year old boy might delight in the rhymes just as much as a girl of that age. Seeing girls often develop language skills earlier, the use of books such as these with well-controlled, thoughtful use of language is useful for boys too! I loved Madeline (I'm over 40) and thought the illustrations aren't groovy - it's tough in the computer age! - they are quite whimsically delightful.

Kids I know like this book.

Ever since I was old enough to read I've loved Madeline! I remember going to the library and checking out this book and all the other ones in the series (Madeline and the bad hat, Madeline to the rescue...) I was always disappointed that they were checked out. I am 21 years old now and still have an infactuation with Madeline! She is a great role model for children of all ages and the stories and lessons learned from them stick with you!

I'd recommend this book for new mothers and small children alike!

Ludwig Bemelman has captured in the character of Madeline the spunk and innocent mischief that make little girls such fun...and so surprising! From Madeline's precarious balancing on the bridge to the bold displaying of her scar, she culminates everything a young child is (or wishes to be) that so amuses and bemuses us parents! My daughters adore the Madeline books, the girls themselves and their dog. They've even taken to studying French with me! Bemelman's rhymes are charming, although they do not quite flow at times (adds to the charm?) and the illustrations are wonderful introductions to Parisian landmarks. I have enjoyed reading these books with my little Madelines, and enjoy it even more when they "read" them back to me. Five stars!

MADELINE is definitely my 3yrs.old daughter's favorite character.I got this copy as a free gift from Vermont Council of Humanities(Thanks a lot to them)and ever since then,this little girl from Paris has captured our hearts.I intend to keep all the books by Ludwig Bemelmans as a part of our collection.Not only the books...the Madeline rag-doll is also a must for any Madeline fans!!!

Growing up in Norway I had never heard of Madeline untill my family visited USA some years ago. Our oldest daughter was then in the perfect age for the Madeline books (and dolls) We bought Madeline, and have since then read it over and over again. Now our youngest daughter is 6, and it's her turn to be in the perfect Madeline age.

Madeline is a little girl living in Paris with 11 other small girls, and their teacher Miss Clavel. Madeline is a charming little girl, and see to it that life in the small school is never boring. The story is told on rhymes in a perfectly charming way. You should think that the story might be a little hard to follow for the reader/listener, but the contrary is the truth. Just as it is a cute, charming story it is a great way of introducing rhymes to your children.

Of course, the most funny part is when Madeline is in hospital because of her appendix and all the other 11 girls also want to woke up in the middle of the night, to be taken to the hospital to have a scar on their stomach. It is lovely reading :-)

Britt Arnhild Lindland

This book was a childhood favorite of mine. I purchased this book as a new baby gift to friends who recently had a little girl and had requested favorite childhood books as baby shower gifts. I am glad that the size has remained the same and the color of the illustrations is so wonderful. Who doesn't love Madeline? She represents every girl who is curious and refuses to go along with the crowd. She would rather exercise her independence and, by doing so, gains the respect and admiration of all who meet her.

Madeline is one of twelve girls at a Parisian boarding school, who shows herself to be exceptional through daring actions such as crossing a bridge on the rail, while the other girls walk sedately in their line. The twelve girls' ordered, convivial life is well portrayed in unique illustrations and skillful writing which emphasize dramatic action rather than description. The great drama of this story is Madeline's appendicitis and subsequent visit to the hospital. The story ends in humor, with eleven little girls returning home from a visit there, and crying to have appendicitis so they can enjoy the candy and toys that Madeline received.

The Madeline books have been loved by children for seventy years, for good reason. Their engaging illustrations, careful writing, and subtle humor combine to present a secure and romantic world that is very appealing.