Madeline

Module 2 - January 25-31

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

Summary:
Classic story about a spirited little girl, Madeline, and her life at her school with her teacher Miss Clavel. One night, Madeline wakes up in pain. She is taken to the hospital to have her appendicitis out. Her friends worry about her but soon discover that being sick has it's perks! This simple tale is told in rhythmic rhyme. The illustrations alternate from colorful to simple yellow and black. Readers young and old can appreciate this simple tale.

Thoughts of a Book Worm:
This book is a classic favorite of mine. This well written rhyming tale has a fun song like quality. Although the tale is simple, the illustrations add to the story by giving us a clear visual of Madeline, a brave little girl who seems to love life. The love how the ending reminds me of my own children and how they do tend to envy the care and attention that the sick receive.

Reviews:
"Mr. Bemelmans' drawings of the Opera, of Notre Dame in the rain, of the sun shining on birds and children in the Luxembourg and Tuileries gardens have put an authentic Paris within the covers of the book. The rhymes in which the tale is told make it one that children will enjoy repeating." - The New York Times


Activities:
This book lends itself to discovering and playing with rhyming words. Kids can have fun exploring and finding the rhyming words on each page. An extension activity could be to have the children form a circle. One child starts by saying a word & rolling a ball. The child that receives the ball would need to come up with a word that rhymes. This would continue until there are no more rhyming words. Then a new would could be picked and the rhymes can continue.

This book can also be used to help children deal with a hospital stay (whether it is themselves or a loved one who needs to be in the hospital.) An extension activity could be to make 'Get Well' cards.

Biography:

Bemelmans, L. (1939). Madeline. New York: Puffin Books.