Madeline (book)

Madeline

The cover to the original 1939 Madeline children's book
Author Ludwig Bemelmans
Country United States
Language English
Genre Children's literature
Published 1939
Media type Print (hardcover and paperback)
Audiobook

Madeline is a 1939 book written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans, the first in the book series, which inspired the Madeline media franchise. It is considered one of the major classics of children's literature.[1][2]

The story is set in Catholic boarding school in Paris, France. The opening rhyming sentences were repeated at the start of the subsequent books in the series:[3]

In an old house in Paris
That was covered in vines
Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines.

Madeline is the smallest of the girls. She is seven years old, and the only redhead. She is the bravest and most daring of the girls.[4]

The text of book is set in rhyme.

Madeline was named a Caldecott Honor Book for 1940.[5]

References

  1. "Top 100 Picture Books #47: Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans". School Library Journal. May 29, 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  2. Edward Rothstein (July 3, 2014). "At 75, Still Stepping Out of Line Ludwig Bemelmans’s Madeline Celebrates a Milestone". New York Times. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  3. "At 75 She's Doing Fine; Kids Still Love Their 'Madeline'". NPR. October 11, 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  4. "Madeline". Scholastic Books. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  5. "Madeline, 1940 Caldecott Honor Book". American Library Association. Retrieved 16 October 2014.