Madeline

Madeline

Looking at this book's impressionistic watercolor illustrations, it is not surprising that Bemelmans considered himself more of an artist than a writer. However, the text's rhymed verse is equally appealing and makes the book unique. The heroine, Madeline, is an adventurous young girl living at a convent school in Paris, France. The idea of a boarding school, with excursions by the 12 little girls into the city, is only the beginning of the excitement that includes Madeline's emergency trip to the hospital and subsequent recovery, resulting in a happy ending. The setting and characters of the story introduce us to a different country and lifestyle, and we get to meet a typically spunky girl. That Bemelmans was someone who enjoyed life and had a great sense of humor is evident in his writing. Madeline herself will be a favorite forever.

Works Cited:
Livingston, Nancy, and Catherine Kurkjian. "Madeline." The Reading Teacher 57.1 (2003): 99. ProQuest. Web. 26 Nov. 2015.

Image Citation:
"Madeline 75th Anniversary Edition." Google Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2015.

Ludwig Bemelmans

The Viking Press: New York

1939

Copyright 1939 by Ludwig Bemelmans

Hardcover

English