Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales

This illustrated collection brings together several holiday stories by Ludwig Bemelmans, including one featuring the beloved character Madeline. The book, published in 1999, features artwork by Bemelmans' grandson John Bemelmans-Marciano and contains stories previously published in other formats. The central story follows Madeline as she travels to Texas after learning about an inheritance from her great-grandfather. The adventure takes Madeline, Miss Clavel, and her classmates on a journey through America, where they encounter new experiences and cultural differences. Two additional holiday tales round out the collection, offering seasonal stories that capture Bemelmans' signature storytelling style. The illustrations maintain the classic Bemelmans look while incorporating fresh interpretations from his grandson. The collection explores themes of discovery, heritage, and the excitement of experiencing new places through a child's eyes. These stories connect Old World European sensibilities with American landscapes and traditions.

Readers found this collection different from the original Madeline books, noting it feels more like bonus material than a cohesive story. Parents appreciated getting more Madeline content but indicated the tales lack the charm and rhythm of the classic series. Liked: - Original Bemelmans artwork - Holiday theme - Introduction provides historical context - Bonus material about Bemelmans' life Disliked: - Stories feel incomplete and disjointed - Writing quality below par compared to original series - High price for short content - Title story about America takes up small portion Several reviews mentioned disappointment that the "in America" aspect was minimal. One reader noted: "My daughter asked why it's called Madeline in America when she's barely there." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (28 reviews) Common consensus suggests this works better as a collector's item for Madeline fans rather than a standalone children's book.

Eloise by Kay Thompson This story follows a precocious six-year-old girl who lives at New York's Plaza Hotel and creates mischief through her adventures in the building.

Olivia by Ian Falconer A young pig experiences life in New York City with her family through art museums, ballet performances, and daily activities that mirror Madeline's Parisian adventures.

Fancy Nancy by Jane O'Connor A spirited girl embraces French culture and vocabulary while turning ordinary activities into extraordinary occasions in her suburban American home.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney The tale traces a woman's journey from childhood through travels across the world to her final home by the sea, where she creates beauty for others.

Babar's Guide to Paris by Laurent de Brunhoff An elephant king takes readers through the streets of Paris, visiting landmarks and locations that echo Madeline's familiar haunts in the original series.

🔹 The original Madeline series was inspired by Ludwig Bemelmans' wife, who survived a ruptured appendix as a child - similar to Madeline's famous hospital story. 🔹 John Bemelmans Marciano, who illustrated this collection, learned his grandfather's artistic style by practicing with tracing paper over the original Madeline books. 🔹 Before becoming a children's author, Ludwig Bemelmans worked in hotels and restaurants, eventually owning his own restaurant in New York City. 🔹 The iconic "twelve little girls in two straight lines" from the Madeline series was based on Bemelmans' memories of convent schools in his native Austria. 🔹 "Madeline in America" was discovered as an unfinished manuscript after Bemelmans' death in 1962, and was completed decades later for this 1999 collection.