Madeline (book) facts for kids
The cover to the original 1939 Madeline children's book
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| Author | Ludwig Bemelmans |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Viking Press |
| Published | 1939 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback) Audiobook |
Madeline is a famous children's book from 1939. It was written and illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans. This book was the first in a series of eleven stories about Madeline. It also led to a whole media franchise, including movies and TV shows! Many people consider Madeline a classic in children's literature.
The book has won important awards. In 1940, Madeline was named a Caldecott Honor Book. Another book in the series, Madeline's Rescue, won the Caldecott Medal in 1954. It was also recognized as a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year.
The Story of Madeline
The story of Madeline takes place in a boarding school. This school is located in Paris, France. The book begins with a famous rhyme. These lines were used at the start of other books in the series too:
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 twelve girls. She is seven years old. She is also the only girl with red hair. Madeline is known for being very brave and daring. She is not afraid to show off. She even makes Miss Clavel, her teacher, worry sometimes. Madeline loves to explore the city and have adventures.
Madeline's Big Adventure
One night, Miss Clavel wakes up. She feels that something is wrong. She quickly goes to the girls' bedroom. There, she finds Madeline crying. Doctor Cohn is called to help. He takes Madeline to the hospital. She needs surgery for a ruptured appendix.
Hours later, Madeline is recovering well. Her classmates and Miss Clavel visit her. They bring her flowers and a dollhouse from her Papa. Madeline, in return, shows them her new scar.
A Surprise Ending
Madeline's classmates and Miss Clavel go home. But Miss Clavel wakes up again. This time, all the other little girls are crying! They all want to "have their appendix out too." Miss Clavel tells them that they are all healthy. She then tells them to go back to sleep.
Madeline on Screen
In 1952, the Madeline story became an animated film. It was a short, 6-minute cartoon. United Productions of America created this animation. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1952. You can even watch and download it for free online. It became available on the Internet Archive in 2013.
