Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales (Hardcover)

~ (Author), John Bemelmans Marciano (Illustrator) "In an old house in Paris..." (more)
Key Phrases: Miss Moore, Miss Clavel

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Madeline, in all her incarnations over six decades, has remained first and foremost one of "twelve little girls in two straight lines" in an old house in Paris. Now, with news that will astound her many fans, not to mention Madeline herself, she and her 11 cohorts find themselves on their way to Texas, U.S.A. Madeline a wealthy cowgirl? Why not! She handles her marvelous windfall with her usual aplomb, donning denim and boots to hop aboard a horse for a tour of her newly inherited gold mines, stampeding cattle herds, and gushing oil fields. At the end of the day, Miss Clavel prepares to tuck 12 little girls into bed--but wait... there are only 11! Where's Madeline?

Traditionalists need not fear that wealth will corrupt their favorite little orphan. Some surprises are still in store, even for Madeline.

While sorting through his grandfather's files, artist and writer John Bemelmans Marciano discovered the manuscript and pencil sketches for this last of the much-loved Madeline series. With great respect, Marciano completed the project with full-color paintings, and added two more of Bemelmans's holiday classics--"The Count and the Cobbler" and "Sunshine"--to create a collection no Bemelmans and Madeline devotee can do without. (Click to see a sample spread. Copyright 1999 by Barbara Bemelmans, Madeline Bemelmans, and John Bemelmans Marciano. Used by permission of Scholastic Inc.) (Ages 4 to 8--or all ages, of course) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Alas, this seems like ersatz MadelineAbut try telling that to the hordes of Madeline fans who will clamor for it. As a note explains, during the 1950s Bemelmans drafted a Madeline adventure set in Texas at Christmas and featuring the department store owned by his friend Stanley Marcus; a version was passed out to Neiman-Marcus customers, and Bemelmans abandoned the project. Here his grandson supplies his own color illustrations for the discarded text; the quantum difference between Bemelman's offhand genius and the product here is revealed with a simple comparison of sketches drawn by Bemelmans, reproduced on the back of the jacket, with the extrapolations inside. The text, clearly a work in progress, splices together a story line from Madeline and the Gypsies with a cowboy motif and a big promotion for "the world's greatest store"; the heroine, inheriting a Texas-size fortune, seems unlike the "real" Madeline ("And there'll be no more school, that is the best part./ For who is rich is already smart," opines this impostor). Two other Bemelmans tales with Christmas settings are also included, with art similarly refurbished by Marciano. Ages 5-8. (Oct.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590039105
• ISBN-13: 978-0590039109
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #43,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Books > Children's Books > Popular Characters > Book Characters > Madeline
  #10 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( B ) > Bemelmans, Ludwig
  #38 in	Books > Children's Books > Literature > Literary Criticism & Collections

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars NOT TYPICAL MADELINE!, October 12, 1999

By A Customer

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.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for your Madeline Collection!, November 1, 1999

By	Miriam A. Kilmer "Owner, Rising Dove Bookstore" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

30 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One More Time!, December 2, 1999

By	Paul L. Marciano (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

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!