Madeline (Madeline)

Lisa of Troy

Rating: really liked it
This might be pedestrian, but there is just something about rhyming that gets me every time. This classic children’s story is set in Paris, and the illustrations of France’s most iconic landmarks are top notch.

Madeline is the bravest girl of them all when she falls ill. I always have to give props to an author who depicts women as strong and no nonsense.

*SPOILER ALERT AND A CONSPIRACY THEORY*

Now, I have read this book probably a dozen times. This morning, an alternate ending came to mind. In the beginning of the book, we find Madeline in “an old house in Paris” as one of twelve girls. The leader of the girls appears to be a Miss Clavel who is dressed as a nun. This gives me the impression that Madeline is at an orphanage. However, when Madeline is recovering from her operation, there is a mountain of presents from Papa. What if Papa is supposed to represent God? What if Madeline never survived her operation and she died? Miss Clavel ends the book by saying, “Good night, little girls! Thank the lord you are well! And now go to sleep!” This makes me wonder…..or maybe I have been reading way too many books.

Overall, a delightful children’s story and a quick fix for all those who love rhymes.

This is one of James Mustich’s 1,000 Books to Read

2022 Reading Schedule
Jan Animal Farm
Feb Lord of the Flies
Mar The Da Vinci Code
Apr Of Mice and Men
May Memoirs of a Geisha
Jun Little Women
Jul The Lovely Bones
Aug Charlotte's Web
Sep Life of Pi
Oct Dracula
Nov Gone with the Wind
Dec The Secret Garden

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Alex

Rating: really liked it
On a recent morning the grandmothers got into a contest: who can remember more of Madeline by heart. They both did very well. My wife and I are getting there. Madeline means a lot to us, partly because we grew up with it, and partly because on our kid's stomach is also a scar - his guts were like all in the wrong place or whatever - so it has Special Meaning for us.


I'm the one on the left. I know it's hard to tell.

But also it means a lot to our kid, who if you show him Madeline and any other book in the world will definitely pick Madeline, and if you show him two different books he may very well just complain until you go get Madeline. He loves this book, and we don't know why. He doesn't speak English and he's never been to Paris. Maybe he likes that Joanne and I collapse in hysterics every time we get to the doctor dialing DAN-ton ten six, which by the way is also the name of our imaginary children's band, but this is far from the only children's book that makes us collapse in hysterics. We think he has an eye for design - he also likes Charley Harper and Andy Warhol, don't ask, or go ahead and ask, what do I care, the answer is we're pretentious - so maybe it's just those terrific evocative scribbles of Bemelmans'. They're incredible, right? This one is my favorite, Notre Dame in rain.



Who cares why, anyway, this is his very first favorite book and he has impeccable taste so far. Some day maybe he'll read it to his kid, and he'll know it by heart too.

Stacey B

Rating: really liked it
I SHOCKED MY MOTHER
My mother just gave me a box filled with many of the books she used to read to me as a child.
Madeline was one of my most favorites, which happened to be lying on the top.
Looking at it so many years later, I said- "Mom, watch this"....
and preceded to recite the whole book to her by memory.
She was impressed, but not more than I.
And, in that one special moment,
my mother said..
"Stacey, why couldn't you have done this in school."
//
There are some children who think the px are scary, which as I look today, I can see why.
As a child, I was afraid of the dark and had to sleep with the hall light on, yet this book never phased me.
Its adorable to see which books children will memorize.

Trina (Between Chapters)

Rating: really liked it
I read this for BookTubeAThon to fulfill the "read a book older than you" challenge. I remember having and reading this book as a kid, but now I'm kind of confused about what a kid would get out of the story. I guess it's just fun with the pictures and rhymes, but I didn't see much meaning (other than copy your friends? Wish you have an illness to be one of the cool kids?). I really have no idea how to rate this as an adult.

Calista

Rating: really liked it
I missed this when I was adding old books I read, so I got this book to re-read to be sure. I did read this as a child where I distinctly remember laughing over and over again at Madeline saying 'Pooh-Pooh' to the tiger at the zoo. Funny thing is, both the kids laugh at that same line to this day.

This was a Newbery Honor book which shows you how awards boards can get things wrong. This is still one of the most popular books and it should have won, which is why they gave Madeline to the rescue the Medal when it came out to make up for their miss, I assume.

A beloved classic of mine. It's nice to share with a whole new generation. Maybe this is where my France obsession came from. probably a seed planted.

PattyMacDotComma

Rating: really liked it
5★
“In an old house in Paris
that was covered with vines
lived twelve little girls in two straight lines”

Someone mentioned this recently, and I can't believe I hadn't added one of my all-time favourite children’s books to my list! I remember my mother reading it to me, and I loved reading it to my children and grandchildren. I used to be able to recite most of it.

The rhyming is not strictly the same all the way through, but it is lyrical and almost impossible not to read aloud. The story follows the little girls through their days as they go walking around Paris, come rain or shine. There are scenes from all over the city.
“the smallest one was Madeline”

On the iconic cover, Miss Clavel, their teacher, is holding the hands of two girls. Knowing the story as I do, I suspect that she is really trying to hang onto Madeline, who is already looking adventurously off to the side.

Miss Clavel doesn’t miss a trick! She knows how brave Madeline is, compared to the other girls.

“To the tiger in the Zoo
Madeline just said, ‘Pooh-pooh’”

At least the tiger is in a cage, so Madeline isn’t at great risk. Bemelmans shows, with just a few simple strokes that the city has other dangers.

“and nobody knew so well
how to frighten Miss Clavel.”

Note Madeline teetering on the wall while Miss Clavel has her hand raised to her brow in despair. There’s almost no picture, and yet it says everything. Every child who sees this understands it.

One night, Miss Clavel wakes suddenly.

“In the middle of the night
Miss Clavel turned on the light
and said ‘Something is not right!’”

Madeline is crying in pain. The doctor whisks her away to hospital to have her appendix removed. When the class visits her in hospital, Madeline is happy, glorying in the gifts and attention.

“and the dollhouse from Papa”

That night, Miss Clavel is startled awake again, and we see the same image of her in bed, exclaiming as before.

She already has one child in hospital – what next? The illustrations of her rushing to put her habit on and racing down the long hallway are perfect! There is a series of her stretching ever further as she hurries.

“And afraid of a disaster Miss Clavel ran fast

and faster!”

Of course, the remaining eleven little girls “want to have our appendix out, too!” And then comes the part I remember so fondly, because my mother used to say it often, hoping we would be quiet and go to sleep. I leave the words with the illustration so you can see them fade softly down to a whisper.

“ ‘Good night, little girls!
Thank the lord you are well!
And now go to sleep!’
said Miss Clavel.
and she turned out the light –
and closed the door –
and that’s all there is –
there isn’t any more.”

Still a favourite! Madeline had some more adventures in other books, and there’s all kinds of merchandise and games. But it’s this book that sticks in my memory. Just the best. Today I still sometimes say:

She turned out the light – and closed the door – and that’s all there is – there isn’t any more.

Hilary

Rating: really liked it
My original review has disappeared.

This is an old favourite of both my children and one I absolutely loved reading myself. This is a lovely story that has the feel of one that has been made up for someone in particular. I wonder if Bemelmans had a young relative who experienced a ruptured appendix?

We loved the drawings, the black, white and yellow ones, quite slapdash and the sort of ones that give you confidence that you could have a go at this yourself and the wonderful scenes with colour that are misty and impressionistic. We enjoyed the awkward and in places, plain silly rhyming, and we loved the setting of the school in France.

A wonderful bedtime story, get your French Nun's accent ready! A very fun read aloud!

Manybooks

Rating: really liked it
Now I only very very rarely consider an adaptation (or a translation) better than the original, but I will absolutely and gladly have to make an exception to said general rule here. For while I do and with all my heart adore Ludwig Bemelmans' expressive and detailed illustrations (that simply shine and glow with the spirit of Paris, with the spirit of both time and place, of the many specific Parisian landmarks), the same cannot, unfortunately, be said with regard to his accompanying verses, which while indeed sweet and expressive, often do seem to present rhyme schemes that read haltingly at best, that appear as far from smooth. And with this salient fact and personal annoyance in mind, I have actually (and yes for me rather surprisingly and intriguingly) found this here 1985 French language translation of Madeline (which in French appears as it should, as Madeleine) by Christian Poslaniec considerably better and above all more lyrically polished than Bemelmans' at times rather annoyingly awkward original English language verses, providing ALL the content of the latter, but avoiding the at times woefully lacking rhyme scheme (or rather, using a rhyme scheme that is much more humorously and tenderly poetic, and above all, less choppy and potentially frustrating).

And truly, for me as an adult reader (who never did read or had Madeline read to me as a child), while the unevenness of the rhymes and the at times almost painful artificialness of the original does have the annoying tendency to feel rather majorly distracting and to the point of even making me feel a bit like an outsider looking in, a bit disconnected from Madeline and her friends, this has been utterly and yes very much fortunately avoided with and by Christian Poslaniec's brilliant and for me in all ways considerably more lyrically masterful French language translation (or perhaps one should call it an adaptation), leaving nothing but unfettered, complete joy and appreciation. Thus, I would and do actually and even gladly recommend the French translation (Madeleine) above and beyond Ludwig Bemelmans' original (but with the caveat that the text, that Christian Poslaniec's words indeed do appear entirely in French, and while not in any way overly difficult and overly involved, an elementary fluency, especially with regard to vocabulary and verb forms is nevertheless both suggested and required). Five intensely and forever glowing stars (and yes, definitely a considerably higher ranking than what I granted to the original)!

Sloan

Rating: really liked it

"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines
Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines
In two straight lines they broke their bread
And brushed their teeth and went to bed.
They left the house at half past nine
In two straight lines in rain or shine-
The smallest one was Madeline."

Who doesn't remember the first lines from the classic childrens book Madeline!? As a young girl I adored this book. I used to check it out of the library repeatedly, until finally my mother gave in and bought me the books. I wanted to be Madeline. I think every young girl does. This book is one of my favorites from childhood. It's a classic that all children should get to enjoy (especially mischievous little girls).

"Good night, little girls!
Thank the Lord that you are well!
And now go to sleep!"
said Miss Clavel.
And she turned out the light-
and closed the door-
and that's all there is-
there isn't any more."

Manybooks

Rating: really liked it
Although I absolutely adore author/illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans' expressive and detailed illustrations (that simply shine and glow with the spirit of Paris, with the spirit of both time and place), the accompanying narrative and especially the rhyme schemes are at times rather majorly choppy and anything but smooth. And truly, for me as an adult reader (who never did read of have Madeline read to me as a child), the unevenness of the rhymes and their at times almost painful artificialness, this does tend to feel rather distracting, and to the point of even making me feel a bit on the outside looking in, a bit disconnected from Madeline and her friends. That being all said, the intended audience (younger children) might well not even notice or care all that much about these textual issues (and considering the lasting popularity and high general star ratings of Madeline, I also do realise that I am obviously quite the minority here, but while I do feel a bit guilty at my now three star rating, I stand by it).

However, I have indeed enjoyed the little scene where the other orphans are jealous of Madeline on account of all the attention she receives because of her appendicitis, as it reminds me of when my brother got his appendix out and my little sister acted rather similarly, also claiming to have a stomach ache, also insisting on going to the hospital (and this little bit of sweet nostalgia, has almost made me consider a four star instead of a three star rating for Madeline, definitely a high three star rating, but nevertheless still not quite four stars, as the choppiness of the rhyming sequences and the at times awkward verses do bother my sense of poetic aesthetics rather a lot).

Selene

Rating: really liked it
BookTube-A-Thon Challenge #1
Read a book with yellow ok the cover.

BookTube-A-Thon Challenge #5
Read a book that is older than you.

Kathryn

Rating: really liked it
I'm not quite sure what to make of Madeline, or how to rate the book. I'm quite sure my mom read this to me as a child--she gave us the most beautiful children's book selections through books she acquired at garage sales or checked out from the library--but I don't really have any warm-fuzzies attached to it so I'm guessing it was not a favorite.

It's still not a favorite. I can appreciate it, to an extent, but I am just not sure I really liked it that much. Maybe my expectations were too high? The story starts out well and charming with the two rows of girls, the two rows of beds, the ice skating and walks around Paris, but then it goes off on a rather surprising tangent and the ending just seems so abrupt and odd. It wasn't as much about Madeline herself as I expected (though I could appreciate her spunk and see where she could have many appealing adventures in subsequent books.) And some of the rhyme schemes felt awkward to me. And the illustrations... I can appreciate them in that they are definitely distinct and "classic"--but at the same time, I'm not sure they are especially my personal cup of tea.

I was surprised to see that this book was published in 1939! I didn't realize it was quite that old. I guess that, compared to many of the other children's books (or, rather, lack thereof) available at the time, this would be a very welcomed series. I'll be very eager to read reviews from friends who love Madeline to see if they can help me better appreciate why this is such a popular classic. It's not that I *disliked* it--I guess I just regret that I can't wholeheartedly join the Madeline fan club.

Tricia Douglas

Rating: really liked it
This is a classic, must-read book for children. When this was published back in 1939, Bemelmans presented us with a wonderful story of Paris and a little girl who is rushed to the hospital due to an attack of appendicitis. I understood little of what was going on at the age of 5 or 6 when I first read this book, but being in the hospital with flowers and toys and having everyone admire Madeline's scar, hooked me. Now I have most of Bemelmans books on my bookshelf and love each one. This was a selection for the Goodreads children's picture book group.

Brigid

Rating: really liked it
This is one of my childhood favorites. This may be strange. Even as a child, I had a sense there was something going on between Madeline and Pepito. I felt they had a thing going on. You know, "Romantically". What the hell is wrong with me! Is that just me? They were kids and yet I could sense something. I loved the French story and the all the girls and their quirks. It's a cute story. I used to adore the cartoon too. Yeah. Sometimes I just want to take my head off, I'm so fucked up.

PLUS SHE'S TOTALLY BAD-ASS! see:

Chantal

Rating: really liked it
What a sweet story of orphans living with nuns and then one gets sick and has to go the hospital. Although the story was fascinating, the art was rather dull. The colors and paint strokes could have been better.

This book is in the 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up challenge I am doing.