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bengisue's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
pato_myers's review against another edition
4.0
This whole series is cute I used to really enjoy these as a kid.
rjvrtiska's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and fanciful field trip to London. Boarding school girls hop a plane to London to visit the Spanish Embassy - as you do. They adopt a free horse as a gift for the Ambassador’s son - as you do. The horse runs away to join the Queen’s Life Guards for the changing of the guard -as you do. They have to take the horse home on their plane to sleep in the front hall - as you do.
A bit too preposterous for the 9 year olds I read it with to be able to suspend their disbelief, but enjoyable for the absurdity.
My copy of “Madeline” has an appendix that lists the names of the real sites around Paris that are illustrated in the story. I wish this book had the same information for the London sites. I can identity Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, but there are a few illustrations that are too nondescript for me (who’s only visited once) to name.
Mother Tongue notes: The mention of the Spanish Ambassador and Embassy provided a good opening for discussion for students who may have visited embassies as dual citizens, or expatriates.
There are pages with just 1 line of text, and pages with several lines. Helpful formatting in a group of readers with mixed abilities.
A bit too preposterous for the 9 year olds I read it with to be able to suspend their disbelief, but enjoyable for the absurdity.
My copy of “Madeline” has an appendix that lists the names of the real sites around Paris that are illustrated in the story. I wish this book had the same information for the London sites. I can identity Trafalgar Square, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace, but there are a few illustrations that are too nondescript for me (who’s only visited once) to name.
Mother Tongue notes: The mention of the Spanish Ambassador and Embassy provided a good opening for discussion for students who may have visited embassies as dual citizens, or expatriates.
There are pages with just 1 line of text, and pages with several lines. Helpful formatting in a group of readers with mixed abilities.
lilmatt050's review against another edition
3.0
To check out my reviews: http://dancinginth3dark.blogspot.com
This series could have been three books with interesting plots and lessons but in the end I felt as though the author ran out of ideas and put incoherent storylines that either are not believable or raise questions as to why the plot don't make sense. When it comes to the books versus other forms of media, I have to admit that Madeline is better as a television series than book.
Pepito is leaving Paris because his father as the Spanish Ambassador needs to relocate to London and every one is heart broken. It's natural for a child to be upset about leaving because essentially they are saying goodbye to the city they grew up and odds are they are never going to see their friends again and they know that sad but honest truth.
Pepito takes it to another level and basically suffers from anorexia. He doesn't eat for days and withering away so instead of sending your child to the hospital or taking him to a doctor or psychologist you just decide oh let's call his friends and let them fly to London to cheer him up.
Regardless of wealth, it what mind does that make it acceptable to let your child almost on the brink of death and not seek help? I know fiction is suppose to be unbelievable at times but I have this belief that if you are writing a fictional story in a realistic setting then you need to stay true to reality because no parent would act this way in real life. Plus what does that teach your children? If they don't eat and suffer health consequences they will either get their way or bring their friends to your new home? I don't think so...
Anyway, Madeline and the gang arrive to London and think of a gift to buy him which is a horse because who has plenty of cash in store to buy a horse as a gift and everything is perfect until the guards ring the bell and the horse goes off running with Madeline and Pepito. The horse is a retired royal guard for the Queen and that trumpet sound is a trigger for the horse so off they go all over London.
In the end Pepito couldn't keep the horse and it now resides with Madeline and the other girls. I was disappointed with this book and thought Ludwig Bemelmans could do better!
This series could have been three books with interesting plots and lessons but in the end I felt as though the author ran out of ideas and put incoherent storylines that either are not believable or raise questions as to why the plot don't make sense. When it comes to the books versus other forms of media, I have to admit that Madeline is better as a television series than book.
Pepito is leaving Paris because his father as the Spanish Ambassador needs to relocate to London and every one is heart broken. It's natural for a child to be upset about leaving because essentially they are saying goodbye to the city they grew up and odds are they are never going to see their friends again and they know that sad but honest truth.
Pepito takes it to another level and basically suffers from anorexia. He doesn't eat for days and withering away so instead of sending your child to the hospital or taking him to a doctor or psychologist you just decide oh let's call his friends and let them fly to London to cheer him up.
Regardless of wealth, it what mind does that make it acceptable to let your child almost on the brink of death and not seek help? I know fiction is suppose to be unbelievable at times but I have this belief that if you are writing a fictional story in a realistic setting then you need to stay true to reality because no parent would act this way in real life. Plus what does that teach your children? If they don't eat and suffer health consequences they will either get their way or bring their friends to your new home? I don't think so...
Anyway, Madeline and the gang arrive to London and think of a gift to buy him which is a horse because who has plenty of cash in store to buy a horse as a gift and everything is perfect until the guards ring the bell and the horse goes off running with Madeline and Pepito. The horse is a retired royal guard for the Queen and that trumpet sound is a trigger for the horse so off they go all over London.
In the end Pepito couldn't keep the horse and it now resides with Madeline and the other girls. I was disappointed with this book and thought Ludwig Bemelmans could do better!
caryleliza's review against another edition
3.0
Kids & I agree: These Madeline books can be a little weird!
brenda8's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
No matter where Madeline is in the world, she would make in more interesting that she found it. Her big heart would take her in adventures, and her poor teacher's heart would suffer the consequences. She's loved by everyone who meets her, and with reason, she is warmth personified. The scenario is new, London is new for her, but she and the girls are ready to go, eyes wide open, always in two straight lines
ideni's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0