Madeline's Rescue

In this second installment of the Madeline series, the beloved character experiences an incident on the Seine River in Paris. The event introduces a stray dog named Genevieve into the lives of Madeline, Miss Clavel, and the eleven other girls at their boarding school. The story follows the challenges that arise when the girls attempt to keep their new canine companion. Lord Cucuface, their stern landlord, presents a significant obstacle to their plans, leading to a series of events that test the determination of Miss Clavel and her charges. This 1954 Caldecott Medal winner combines Bemelmans' signature illustration style with the rhythmic verse that characterizes the Madeline series. The book explores themes of responsibility, friendship, and the unexpected ways that families can grow.

Parents and readers appreciate the continuation of Madeline's adventures, with many noting the book delivers the same charm as the original. The rhyming text and distinctive illustrations remain memorable for both children and adults who read it years ago. Readers like: - The rescue dog storyline connects with young animal lovers - Illustrations capture Paris settings in detail - Rhyming text flows naturally and remains easy to memorize - Humor that works for both children and adults Readers dislike: - Story feels more scattered than the first Madeline book - Some find the nuns' behavior unrealistic - A few note the book shows its age in certain attitudes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (15,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (450+ ratings) One parent wrote: "My daughter asks for this every night - she loves following the dog's story and pointing out details in the pictures." Another noted: "Not quite as tight as the original, but still a wonderful read-aloud."

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🏆 The book won the 1954 Caldecott Medal, making it the only Madeline book to receive this prestigious award for illustration. 🎨 Ludwig Bemelmans developed his distinctive illustration style while recovering in a hospital, where he began drawing on the walls of his room. 🗼 The depiction of Paris in the book is based on Bemelmans' real experiences living in the city, and he often sketched scenes while sitting at sidewalk cafés. 🐕 The rescue dog in the story was inspired by a real stray dog that Bemelmans encountered during one of his walks along the Seine River. 📝 While creating the Madeline series, Bemelmans would often test his stories by reading them to his daughter Barbara, making adjustments based on her reactions.