Madeline's Christmas
By Ludwig Bemelmans
The Story
When every girl at the Paris boarding school falls sick on Christmas Eve, the smallest and bravest one stays well enough to take charge — and finds unexpected help from a magical rug-selling merchant.
Why It's Special
For the kid who wants to be the one taking care of everyone else, Madeline's Christmas hands the smallest girl in the house the biggest job in it.
- Big idea: Being the smallest doesn't mean being the least capable — courage and care can come from the most unexpected person in the room.
- Vibes: Wintry, whimsical, and full of Bemelmans' loose, painterly Paris streetscapes, with a current of Christmas magic running underneath the everyday.
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy stories about a brave, capable heroine
- love rhyming, rhythmic read-aloud text
- respond well to Christmas Eve anticipation and magic
- like to look closely at detailed Paris illustrations
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why do you think Madeline was the only one who didn't get sick on Christmas Eve?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Madeline felt being the only one well enough to take care of Miss Clavel and the other girls?
- Imagination: What do you think a magical rug-selling merchant might be able to do?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever had to help take care of someone else when they were sick?
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think Madeline needed to do first to take care of everyone in the house?
