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| Dear, sweet, precocious Madeline. |
Barbar is about to celebrate his 80th birthday. For some reason he was never part of my childhood nor that of my daughter, but Madeline was. Oh, how we loved Madeline.
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| Barbar is 80! |
As is my wont, I read today that Barbar is entering a new decade and my memory went reeling back to Madeline. I discovered she has her very own website and that the franchise, as everyone refers to "brands" these days (seems such bad taste to classify the adorable fille in such a tawdry materialistic category) continues to flourish.
Ludwig Bemelmans created the charming child in 1939. But best of all on my journey into our pasts I discovered his grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano, has written a children's book about manners. What a perfect gift for a child -- and her parents. What a perfect gift, full-stop.
Now I'm thinking, maybe I should see if Eloise is up to anything exciting these days.
If, like many parents and children, you had a doubt about how to pronounce Madeline, Monsieur Bemelmans told us in this famous opening stanza:
A demain. I hope you are having a safe, happy weekend.
18 comments:
Madeline wasn't part of my childhood, regretfully. For me, it was All Nancy Drew, All the Time. When I was about 20, I realized that having spent my youth immersed in Nancy Drew mysteries left me with an unconscious expectation that I, too, would drive a little red convertible, have two best friends and a completely unthreatening boyfriend, and would have mysteries fall into my lap and would travel the world to solve them. When I realized that "(D) None of the above" had happened to me and never would, I must admit, it was a staggering, breathtaking moment.
Silly, I know.
Have a wonderful weekend!
xoxox
Another deprived child here, no Madeline in our household. We were, however, a big Babar family. My grandmother, especially, loved the Babar books and loved reading them to us. We had several. Funny, though, I can't remember anything about the stories.
My daughter loved Madeline and Babar!
I loved Nancy Drew and then started on the lighter classics!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
I had no Madeline as a child but I love the books. I was a Winnie-the-Pooh child, and still get a little misty-eyed when I see the bear.
Such a beautiful post. I am going to get a copy of Madeline. It is coincidental in that today I posted about the past, specifically a mentor.
Hope you have the joys of a child this weekend.
Helenxx
I always loved Babar, but my mom, when I was little, wouldn't read it to me because she said he was a socialist. I have a poster of Babar that was in my daughter's nursery that now hangs over my desk, and a little 1inch Babar that I used to have on my car's ledge. And a greyhound named Zephyr!
Madeline, Babar were books that we read regularly.
Noddy was another book we adored.
Love the illustrations of those adorable characters.
Have a great weekend Tish.
Loved the Madeline books for myself and my children! Happy weekend! xxoo :)
We love Babar and Madeline both at our house. Happy Weekend, Tish.
Hey! Do you thnk Madeline grew up to be Cherie??????Hmmmm.. Now that's a thought. Maryanne xo
Isn't Madeline lovely? I'm a librarian, and it makes me happy to see that she is still so popular with little girls. Madeline books fly off our shelves!
I just checked and the elephant's name is Babar! In any case, I taught French and used to share them with my classes....Madeleine also. Oh such memories! And I'm not even That old yet!
I don't remember Madeline in my childhood, but I got all the books for my daughters. We loved Madeline! When my girls were around 8 years old, a series of Madeline dolls came out. We still have them, I think....Madeline, Pepito, Chloe, and Miss Clavel! To this day I sometimes mutter, "Something is not right."
Not having a daughter of my own, I gave everything "Madeline" to my Goddaughter, Kyra, who is now a beautiful woman and a primary school teacher. I'm so proud of her.
She played the "Madeline" tapes to the point that her parents were ready to kill her and me. She still has the Madeline doll I gave her. It travels w/her from city to city.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have a hurricane to deal with by the name of "Irene" who has left her calling card. Wish us luck.
I loved Madeline, and have many editions of the book-original and modern (with both spellings). My mom's name was Madeline...and so it mine! Thanks for the lovely memory.
Cheers,
Madeline
greetings..my family loved all the books talked about above...but i have a more pressing problem....i can not find Eucerin Hyaluron Filler here in the states....before i cough up the $33 shipping from france i am wondering if any of your state side fans might know a source? as i am turning 65 on the 31st i NEED this lovely product....(i am holding my own, i am happy to say)....
happy memories of a favorite book series. i remember going to the elementary school library to look for Madeline and Dr. Seuss books. they still make me smile.
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