The children’s book Madeline has a very special place in my heart. It is one of those classic books whose lines spring to mind unbidden—like when you have a moment of mommy intuition and think, “Something is amiss!” It’s no wonder that the books and the characters are beloved and have been for several generations.
In fact, Madeline is 70 years old this year. Ludwig Bemelmans, the author, didn’t start writing until he was 36 (in 1934) and penned his most famous book (Madeline) a few short years later. It’s hard to believe, at first blush, that the original book is so old since the character of a fiesty, slightly disobedient, smart, strong girl seems like a modern creation. Luckily, though, smart, strong women are nothing new and certainly not unpopular (as the book’s enduring success shows us).
70th Anniversary Collectible Madeline Doll
In celebration of this milestone, a new Madeline doll has been commissioned. The 70th Anniversary Collectible Madeline Doll is a 13” doll dressed in a mid-calf length dress with a blue and white print of scenes from the book, blue trim, and blue shoes with white lacy socks. A matching blue bow tops a head of red yarn hair.
The beauty of this doll, much like the beauty of the original book, is in her simplicity. The face is plain embroidery with no buttons or other embellishments to snap off or lose. The yarn hair is quaint and endearing. The clothing (with the exception of the shoes) is removable and has velcro enclosures.
At the same time, though, there are little touches that add to the appeal of the doll. Her socks and dress are sweetly lined with lace. Her cheeks have a faint tint of pink to them. She even has a scar from when she had her appendix removed. I also love the feel of the fabric used. The fabric used for the body of the doll has a bit of nylon in it, which gives the doll a very soft feel and undoubtably will add to the life of the doll.
Madeline and the Cats of Rome
This new book, written by Ludwig Bemelmans’ grandson John Bemelmans Marciano, is a charming addition to the family of Madeline books. While I do not love it as much as I do the original book (and the subsequent popular book Madeline’s Rescue), the illustrations are classic Madeline. They are colorful and quaint with those twelve simple, smiling girls in two straight lines.
In the book, Madeline meets her match in an Italian street urchin who snatches Miss Clavel’s camera. Fiesty and determined, Madeline retrieves the camera and in the course of her adventures saves a house full of cats.
The hardcover book makes a beautiful gift book. It is slightly oversized (9 by 12) with a full color cover (Madeline turned out of the line and grinning in the middle of the cover picture). From average homes to major monuments, Rome is captured in true Madeline style. Marciano has truly been able to find his own artistic place within the style of his grandfather’s story, which makes the book lovely in its own right but also satisfying as a sequel to a beloved book.
Both the book and the doll are recommended to lovers of the book Madeline. Both of these products can be purchased from www.liveandlearn.com or www.ticastoys.com.
Enter to win
Enter to win your choice of the 70th Anniversary Madeline, Dressable Madeline, the Madeline (9″), or Genevieve (8″) beanie
This giveaway is open to the U.S. and will end on November 23, 2009.
Enter the giveaway by making a commenting on this post about one thing you love about Madeline.
Please see our site’s Terms and Conditions for a complete list of our contest and giveaway rules.
Additional Entries
You can earn additional entries by doing any of the following. Make a separate comment on this post for each extra entry you qualify for.
- Subscribe to the Busy Mommy RSS feed by entering your email in the box at the top of the sidebar
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Here are your random numbers:
15
Timestamp: 2009-12-05 20:41:05 UTC
Congrats Sara!
Busy Christmas Giveaway Event
The Annual Busy Christmas Giveaway Event is featuring so many great products this year that we had to start it early!
Visit the Busy Christmas Giveaway Event page to see all of the giveaways and find out how you can earn extra entries into this giveaway, and every other giveaway during the Busy Christmas Giveaway Event from October 1 – December 11.
Related posts:
21 Days Left 
14 Days Left 
I have the Busy Christmas Giveaway Event button on my blog…
http://anitamartin.wordpress.com/
roseinthemorning [at] gmail [dot] com
.-= Anita´s last blog ..Twelve Little Girls in Two Straight Lines (part 2) =-.
I used to love the occasional “Madeline” specials they would have on television.
great contest
I love how honest she is
Daily tweet!
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/5800548603
.-= Andrea Kruse´s last blog ..What three favorite family Thanksgiving traditions will you pass on to your children? =-.
My daughter adores Madeline!! Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
I love that she is timeless-and as sweet as ever!
smchester at gmail dot com
.-= Susan C´s last blog ..Christmas Cookies =-.
WOW cant believe shes 70 the adventures that she goes through are fantastic and always make you want to hurry up to the end
I love Madeline because it is so sweet and simple, kind, loveable, and much more. With so many crazy characters nowadays, it is nice to see something so simple and perfect for the children, whether it be from books or television. Thanks for the giveaway.
I subscribed to the feed. Thanks again for the giveaway. Would make for a great Xmas gift.
Alison and I have enjoyed reading about her adventures. I’m sure Alison would love the 70th Anniversary Madeline.
She always finds something to smile about
new subscriber
follow on twitter
@copperllama
facebook fan
I always loved that she was so smart and giving. She was a leader not a follower. And so giving with her friends.
.-= Carolyn G´s last blog ..WINNER – Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotions =-.
tweeted http://twitter.com/carogonza/status/5878094544
.-= Carolyn G´s last blog ..WINNER – Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotions =-.
subscriber
.-= Carolyn G´s last blog ..WINNER – Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotions =-.
twitter follower: carogonza
facebook fan: carolyn gonzalez
.-= Carolyn G´s last blog ..WINNER – Vaseline Sheer Infusion Lotions =-.
70th Anniversary Collectible Madeline Doll would be perfect for my niece.
My daughter loves how the girls are always in straight lines and how Madeline is the smallest one.
.-= Janelle´s last blog ..Rebecca Frezza & Big Truck: Rockin’, Rollin’ and Ridin’ – CD Review and Giveaway =-.
I love Madeline because her character encourages children to read and the stories are always full of adventure.
I’m a subscriber
I grew up with Madeline as so many others have, and got to “see” a bit of the world through her eyes, especially England and France.
I don’t remember her growing up, but I love her red hair!
.-= Kristie´s last blog ..My Life. In Pictures: Smell =-.
love that she gets to live in Paris!
feed subscriber
tweet http://twitter.com/phxbne/status/5904864864
twitter follow @phxbne
I love Madeline’s red hair!
Just one thing? I always loved Madeline, I think it’s her curious nature that’s my favorite part. And her hair of course!
Only one thing? Thats tough! I really love the Madeline character and have ever since I was a little child. I think my favorite thing is how energetic she is, I also really love Bemelman’s artistic style… I consider it pretty much perfect. Thank you so much for the chance to win, and happy birthday Madeline!
following on twitter (user: woozlewozzle)
became a fan on facebook (anna lene)
her sweetness thanks minsthins at optonline dot net
I love all of Madeline’s adventures and i know my granddaughter would also love her tales
I love the artwork: simple, beautiful, and classic
I always loved how strong and smart she was ~ and her coordinating hat LOL.
I love that she’s so spunky.
i love the values madeline teaches in her specials… she is a wonderful doll
I like her honesty.
actually don’t know anything about madeline other than bet my niece would love it!
my daughter used to watch madeline when she was a child…now that she has little girls of her own…id love them to have the chance to play with and watch madeline..like my daughter used too…she was always a sweet little character…no arguiing..bickering ect..like u see on many cartoons now days
I love that Madeline is such a great role model for my daughters and that there is a moral to each show that they watch.
Thank you so much for the chance to win.
jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com
I am subscribed via Google Reader.
jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com
I am following via Twitter as jlsc123.
jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com
I am a fan on Facebook as Jill Myrick.
jweezie43[at]aol[dot]com
I love Madeline because it was one of my daughter’s favorite storybook characters growing up. She would dream about being a little French girl in Paris and I think it was one of the reasons why she ended up learning French and studying for a semester in France.
I love how sweet Madeline is. The dolly and book would be great for my daughter.