In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines
Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines......
Those words begin the Madeline Series, written by Ludwig Bemelmans.
Madeline is a spunky girl who isn't afraid of anything. A little girl, who intentionally or not, drives her caretaker Miss Clavel to distraction with her adventurous nature. It is an excellent book for children from ages 2 and up. It's theme gives us a strong character, one which shows little girls being adventuresome, and a bit mischievous, but well loved.
"Madeline" was written by Ludwig Bemelmans. He was born in Austria on April 27, 1898. His father and mother were both artists. Ludwig spoke French and German. After his father left the family for Ludwig's governess, his mother moved back with her German family. Ludwig eventually emigrated to America where he served in the United States Army during World War 1. Because he was German he was not sent to Germany to fight, but served well enough stateside that at the end of the war he was a second lieutenant.
In 1918 he became a citizen of the US. From there he started his career as both an artist and a restaurateur.
His first love, however was his art work. Bemelmans considered himself a serious artist. His paintings hang in museums from New York to Paris. He also did murals, one of which can be publicly viewed in the Carlyle Hotel in New York. Another mural was done in the children's dining room for Aristotle Onasis' daughter Christina on the family yacht.
But Bemelmans was also a writer, doing articles for magazines, such as the New Yorker and Town and Country. He even wrote a scripts for MGM. In 1939 he published his first Madeline book, naming Madeline for his wife, but basing the character on his daughter Barbara.
All told Bemelmans wrote seven Madeline books. One, "Madeline's Christmas", was originally written as an article for McCall's magazine. The seventh book and last book, "Madeline in America and Other Holiday Tales", was found and published after Bemelmans' death. In addition to his last Madeline story, the book contains other short works by the author.
The Madeline stories can be fun for both boys and girls. In "Madeline and the Bad Hat", Madeline meets Pepito, the son of the Spanish Ambassador who moves in next door. The two become best friends and get into all kinds of mischief together, including getting kidnapped by gypsies. The addition of Pepito makes it more universally enjoyed.
Miss Clavel, the nun who looks after the girls, certainly has her hands full with Madeline. But though Madeline keeps her going, her heart is in the right place. In the end, everything comes out well.
Bemelmans died in 1962. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery. But his family continues the Madeline legacy, which now includes, DVDs, TV shows, and games as well as dolls and toys.
"And that's all there is, there isn't anymore."
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
The Tale of Peter Rabbit is a story about a naughty bunny named Peter. Peter disobeys his mother and runs into the MacGregor's garden for an afternoon of feasting. Unfortunately, he is caught by Mr. MacGregor and the chase is on!
This book is a classic story written by Beatrix Potter in the late nineteenth centuary. Beatrix Potter was an intelligent woman whose education came from governesses rather than schools. While the usual nineteenth centuary governesses were sent to make sure young ladies of that era knew basic math, French, art, and deportment <how to behave socialy> Beatrix Potter wanted to learn more. Her facination with nature was so intense that as a child she would bring home dead animals to boil them, and assemble their skeletons. While that sounds disgusting to us in the twenty first centuary, remember there was no internet, and very few resources for a young girl to learn anatomy and phsyiology. She taught herself the science of mycology, which is the biology of fungi. Her self education in that particular field was so thorough that her uncle tried to get her in as a student at the Royal Botanic Gardens but she was turned down because of her sex. Despite this setback she continued her education on her own and became respected in the field.
Beatrix Potter used her art to draw pictures of the things she could see around her. At first she drew pictures of the items she saw under the microscope. Her copies of fungi are museum quality. Her ability to copy nature so accurately was what made her books' illustrations so charming.
Peter Rabbit is written in the style of the times. The vocabulary is more erudite than what we are used to seeing in children's books today. Also the themes are kept on a moralistic basis. Peter disobeys his mother, and because of that is almost eaten. There is no sugar coating in Potter's books. There is a crime and a punishment. Redemption is given after it is earned. As an example of this, in another book,"The Tale of Benjamin Bunny".Benjamin disobeys his parents, and both he and his cousin Peter are soundly "thrashed" by Benjamin's father who uses a whip.
Beatrix Potter's books give us a window into a time when things were simpler. The stories and the pictures are a true peek into "once upon a time."
This book is a classic story written by Beatrix Potter in the late nineteenth centuary. Beatrix Potter was an intelligent woman whose education came from governesses rather than schools. While the usual nineteenth centuary governesses were sent to make sure young ladies of that era knew basic math, French, art, and deportment <how to behave socialy> Beatrix Potter wanted to learn more. Her facination with nature was so intense that as a child she would bring home dead animals to boil them, and assemble their skeletons. While that sounds disgusting to us in the twenty first centuary, remember there was no internet, and very few resources for a young girl to learn anatomy and phsyiology. She taught herself the science of mycology, which is the biology of fungi. Her self education in that particular field was so thorough that her uncle tried to get her in as a student at the Royal Botanic Gardens but she was turned down because of her sex. Despite this setback she continued her education on her own and became respected in the field.
Beatrix Potter used her art to draw pictures of the things she could see around her. At first she drew pictures of the items she saw under the microscope. Her copies of fungi are museum quality. Her ability to copy nature so accurately was what made her books' illustrations so charming.
Peter Rabbit is written in the style of the times. The vocabulary is more erudite than what we are used to seeing in children's books today. Also the themes are kept on a moralistic basis. Peter disobeys his mother, and because of that is almost eaten. There is no sugar coating in Potter's books. There is a crime and a punishment. Redemption is given after it is earned. As an example of this, in another book,"The Tale of Benjamin Bunny".Benjamin disobeys his parents, and both he and his cousin Peter are soundly "thrashed" by Benjamin's father who uses a whip.
Beatrix Potter's books give us a window into a time when things were simpler. The stories and the pictures are a true peek into "once upon a time."
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter
American author and illustrator Mercer Mayer has been entertaining children with his stories since the mid sixties. Mercer Mayer was born in 1943. He was raised in a military family, and lived in various parts of the United States. By the time he was 13 he was living in Hawaii. After high school Mercer Mayer attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts. In 1964 Mercer Mayer moved to New York City where he attended the Art Students League of New York.
In 1967 he published his first picture book. "A Boy, a Dog, and A Frog". From there he went on to illustrate many children's stories. Then in the mid 1970s he published his first Little Critter book.
Little Critter lives in Critterville with his family. He has all kinds of adventures and misadventures which young children and their parents can easily relate to. One of the most charming aspects of the Little Critter books is the emphasis on family. Mercer Mayer did books such as "Just Me and My Mom", "Just Me and My Dad", "The New Baby" and "Just Me and My Little Brother."
In addition, Little Critter stories help children to understand new life experiences. Mercer Mayer simplifies such things as trips to the doctor, the dentist, a new pet or bad dreams.
The books themselves are written simply but clearly. The illustrations are fun, colorful and imaginative. Children will love the pictures of Little Critter, his friends and family.
Mercer Mayer has a website with pictures of Little Critter which children can print and color. There is also downloadable music, critter games and other activities. It even has a section where Mercer Mayer reads some of his books online! It's a wonderful child friendly spot that parents can safely let the little ones browse through.
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter books are a quick easy read for that quick cuddle time, before bedtime or anytime. The fact that his website is so child friendly is just another bonus.
Thank you Little Critter!
In 1967 he published his first picture book. "A Boy, a Dog, and A Frog". From there he went on to illustrate many children's stories. Then in the mid 1970s he published his first Little Critter book.
Little Critter lives in Critterville with his family. He has all kinds of adventures and misadventures which young children and their parents can easily relate to. One of the most charming aspects of the Little Critter books is the emphasis on family. Mercer Mayer did books such as "Just Me and My Mom", "Just Me and My Dad", "The New Baby" and "Just Me and My Little Brother."
In addition, Little Critter stories help children to understand new life experiences. Mercer Mayer simplifies such things as trips to the doctor, the dentist, a new pet or bad dreams.
The books themselves are written simply but clearly. The illustrations are fun, colorful and imaginative. Children will love the pictures of Little Critter, his friends and family.
Mercer Mayer has a website with pictures of Little Critter which children can print and color. There is also downloadable music, critter games and other activities. It even has a section where Mercer Mayer reads some of his books online! It's a wonderful child friendly spot that parents can safely let the little ones browse through.
Mercer Mayer's Little Critter books are a quick easy read for that quick cuddle time, before bedtime or anytime. The fact that his website is so child friendly is just another bonus.
Thank you Little Critter!
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tomie De Paola, and his wonderful tales
Although Tomie De Paola has written and illustrated over 200 books in the course of his career, his most popular and well known series are the books written about Strega Nona.
Strega Nona is Italian for "Grandma Witch". Strega Nona is a good witch who spends her days curing headaches, and making potions. And like all good witches, she is very popular. Since her popularity means she is very busy, Strega Nona hires an assistant, Big Anthony. Big Anthony is willing, but not very bright and sometimes he forgets something important.
One of the things Big Anthony does well is eat. Strega Nona's has a pasta pot that is magic, and is able to fill up cook the right amount of pasta to fill everyone up without wasting a bit. One day Big Anthony listens to the words Strega Nona uses to make the pasta pot start up and stop. But he misses one little important part of the spell. The next day, Strega Nona goes off to visit a friend, and Big Anthony tries his hand at a little touch of magic. The results are hilarious! Fortunately Strega Nona gets back in time to prevent a disaster, and Big Anthony is punished in a very appropriate way!
There are several Strega Nona books besides the original. And a new one is coming out in the Fall 2011 called Strega Nona's Gift. In addition to the Strega Nona series, Tomie De Paola has done books on fairy tales, including an illustrated Mother Goose, and legends based in both Ireland and Italy.
Tomie De Paola's lineage is Italian and Irish. His upbringing includes a strong religious background which greatly influenced a his writings as well. His Bible stories are beautifully written, and simply explained for young readers.
In honor of his Irish heritage, he has written stories about a character called Jamie O'Rourke. Jamie O'Rourke's stories are as funny as Strega Nona, with Jamie getting into all sorts of trouble because of his laziness. In Jamie O'Rourke and the big Potato we find Lazy Jamie in trouble. His wife, who does all the work in the farm, has hurt herself. Jamie is worried about going hungry, but luckily captures a leprechaun who promises him the biggest potato if Jamie will let him go. When Jamie gets what he is promised, the entire village is in trouble. Luckily Jamie has married a very smart lady and she is able to save the day.
Tomie De Paola has won many awards over his years of writing and illustrating. If you pick up any of his books, you'll see why.
Strega Nona is Italian for "Grandma Witch". Strega Nona is a good witch who spends her days curing headaches, and making potions. And like all good witches, she is very popular. Since her popularity means she is very busy, Strega Nona hires an assistant, Big Anthony. Big Anthony is willing, but not very bright and sometimes he forgets something important.
One of the things Big Anthony does well is eat. Strega Nona's has a pasta pot that is magic, and is able to fill up cook the right amount of pasta to fill everyone up without wasting a bit. One day Big Anthony listens to the words Strega Nona uses to make the pasta pot start up and stop. But he misses one little important part of the spell. The next day, Strega Nona goes off to visit a friend, and Big Anthony tries his hand at a little touch of magic. The results are hilarious! Fortunately Strega Nona gets back in time to prevent a disaster, and Big Anthony is punished in a very appropriate way!
There are several Strega Nona books besides the original. And a new one is coming out in the Fall 2011 called Strega Nona's Gift. In addition to the Strega Nona series, Tomie De Paola has done books on fairy tales, including an illustrated Mother Goose, and legends based in both Ireland and Italy.
Tomie De Paola's lineage is Italian and Irish. His upbringing includes a strong religious background which greatly influenced a his writings as well. His Bible stories are beautifully written, and simply explained for young readers.
In honor of his Irish heritage, he has written stories about a character called Jamie O'Rourke. Jamie O'Rourke's stories are as funny as Strega Nona, with Jamie getting into all sorts of trouble because of his laziness. In Jamie O'Rourke and the big Potato we find Lazy Jamie in trouble. His wife, who does all the work in the farm, has hurt herself. Jamie is worried about going hungry, but luckily captures a leprechaun who promises him the biggest potato if Jamie will let him go. When Jamie gets what he is promised, the entire village is in trouble. Luckily Jamie has married a very smart lady and she is able to save the day.
Tomie De Paola has won many awards over his years of writing and illustrating. If you pick up any of his books, you'll see why.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Berenstain Bears
The Berenstain Bears was a childhood staple for my children. Without exaggeration we probably had two dozen different books by Stan and Jan Berenstain sitting around the house at any given time.
Stan and Jan Berenstain were born in the Philadelphia area. They met in art school and got married after Stan finished three years in the Army. They made their living illustrating for magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post and Collier's After the birth of their sons they began writing. At first they wrote for adults. Their first book was parenting advise. Eventually they began writing children's books. Their first children's book was The Big Honey Hunt, written in 1962. It featured Papa Bear searching for honey for the family. The writing was done in a very "Suessian" Style, with the story being told in simple rhymes.
From there, the Berenstain Bears took off. They have written so many children's books it is hard to keep track of all of them. The favorites in our family were the first time books. Some of the adventures the Berestains Bear's had included going to the doctor's , having a new baby, learning about strangers, too much junk food, going to grandma's... The list goes on and on. At some point we had them all.
The wonderful thing about the Berenstain Bears books is that they start children reading at a young level and go up to 7 or 8. They have simple books that a child two or three years old will enjoy. Then they go to the first experience books, and finally chapter books for the young, independent readers of seven or eight. Not all the books are fictional adventures either. They have even published an Almanac.
Although Stan Berenstain died in 2005, his widow and son continue to write. In addition to the books they have done musicals and a PBS show based on the Berenstain Bears. Long ago, Dorney Park in Allentown Pennsylvania had a young children's section called "Bear Country" which was completely based on the Berenstain Bears. They have since switched it to the Peanuts Characters, and while I am a Charlie Brown fan, I have to say that I always thought the Berenstain Bears theme should have been continued since they lived only 45 minutes from the park.
The Berenstains have had a huge influence on children books. Most children enjoy their first steps in Bear Country. The variety helps every child find their special interest Thank you Mama and Papa Bear!
Stan and Jan Berenstain were born in the Philadelphia area. They met in art school and got married after Stan finished three years in the Army. They made their living illustrating for magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post and Collier's After the birth of their sons they began writing. At first they wrote for adults. Their first book was parenting advise. Eventually they began writing children's books. Their first children's book was The Big Honey Hunt, written in 1962. It featured Papa Bear searching for honey for the family. The writing was done in a very "Suessian" Style, with the story being told in simple rhymes.
From there, the Berenstain Bears took off. They have written so many children's books it is hard to keep track of all of them. The favorites in our family were the first time books. Some of the adventures the Berestains Bear's had included going to the doctor's , having a new baby, learning about strangers, too much junk food, going to grandma's... The list goes on and on. At some point we had them all.
The wonderful thing about the Berenstain Bears books is that they start children reading at a young level and go up to 7 or 8. They have simple books that a child two or three years old will enjoy. Then they go to the first experience books, and finally chapter books for the young, independent readers of seven or eight. Not all the books are fictional adventures either. They have even published an Almanac.
Although Stan Berenstain died in 2005, his widow and son continue to write. In addition to the books they have done musicals and a PBS show based on the Berenstain Bears. Long ago, Dorney Park in Allentown Pennsylvania had a young children's section called "Bear Country" which was completely based on the Berenstain Bears. They have since switched it to the Peanuts Characters, and while I am a Charlie Brown fan, I have to say that I always thought the Berenstain Bears theme should have been continued since they lived only 45 minutes from the park.
The Berenstains have had a huge influence on children books. Most children enjoy their first steps in Bear Country. The variety helps every child find their special interest Thank you Mama and Papa Bear!
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