Winner of the Caldecott Medal

In an old house in Paris
that was covered with vines
lived twelve little girls
in two straight lines
the smallest one was Madeline.
 
 
Nothing frightens Madeline—not tigers, not even mice. With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers even after 75 years!

When Madeline falls into the river Seine and nearly drowns, a courageous canine comes to her rescue. Now Genevieve the dog is Madeline's cherished pet, and the envy of all the other girls. What can be done when there's just not enough hound to go around?

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was the author of the beloved Madeline books, including Madeline, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Madeline's Rescue, winner of the Caldecott Medal.


Ludwig Bemelmans was a painter, illustrator, and writer for both children and adults. A world traveler, he spent most of his time in New York City or Paris. The original inspiration for Madeline was the result of his bicycle accident on an island of France. Hospitalized after being hit by the only car on the island, Mr. Bemelmans recalled, “The sisters in that small hospital wore large, starched white hats that looked like the wings of a giant butterfly. In the room next to mine was a little girl who had had her appendix out. In the ceiling over my bed was a crack ‘that had the habit of sometimes looking like a rabbit.’” A year later, back in New York City, he penned the first draft of Madeline on the backs of menus in Pete’s Tavern. The Madeline books rank among the most-honored children’s books series. Madeline was named a Caldecott Honor Book and the first of its five sequels, Madeline’s Rescue, won the Caldecott Medal and was a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. Mr. Bemelmans died in 1962, after completing Madeline’s Christmas. View titles by Ludwig Bemelmans
  • WINNER
    Caldecott Medal Winner
  • WINNER
    New York Times Best Illustrated Book

About

Winner of the Caldecott Medal

In an old house in Paris
that was covered with vines
lived twelve little girls
in two straight lines
the smallest one was Madeline.
 
 
Nothing frightens Madeline—not tigers, not even mice. With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers even after 75 years!

When Madeline falls into the river Seine and nearly drowns, a courageous canine comes to her rescue. Now Genevieve the dog is Madeline's cherished pet, and the envy of all the other girls. What can be done when there's just not enough hound to go around?

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was the author of the beloved Madeline books, including Madeline, a Caldecott Honor Book, and Madeline's Rescue, winner of the Caldecott Medal.


Author

Ludwig Bemelmans was a painter, illustrator, and writer for both children and adults. A world traveler, he spent most of his time in New York City or Paris. The original inspiration for Madeline was the result of his bicycle accident on an island of France. Hospitalized after being hit by the only car on the island, Mr. Bemelmans recalled, “The sisters in that small hospital wore large, starched white hats that looked like the wings of a giant butterfly. In the room next to mine was a little girl who had had her appendix out. In the ceiling over my bed was a crack ‘that had the habit of sometimes looking like a rabbit.’” A year later, back in New York City, he penned the first draft of Madeline on the backs of menus in Pete’s Tavern. The Madeline books rank among the most-honored children’s books series. Madeline was named a Caldecott Honor Book and the first of its five sequels, Madeline’s Rescue, won the Caldecott Medal and was a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. Mr. Bemelmans died in 1962, after completing Madeline’s Christmas. View titles by Ludwig Bemelmans

Awards

  • WINNER
    Caldecott Medal Winner
  • WINNER
    New York Times Best Illustrated Book

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