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Madeline

We find ourselves double-checking the 1939 copyright on this wonderful tale almost every time we read it. Could it really be from such a different world? It's snappily modern -- the other girls at Miss Clavel's desperately wishing for their own appendectomies after seeing all of the loot in Madeline's hospital room -- at the same time as it's hauntingly historical (the "very sad" girls with the wounded soldier) and charmingly old-fashioned (the doctor dialing DANton-ten-six to reach the nurse). The illustrations of Paris are true masterpieces, and the current editions have a listing at the end telling you which lovely parks and squares and landmarks they depict. The story is funny and charming and quick and lasting. You may have your hands full with however many little ones you already have underfoot, but these are 12 little girls whom you will easily welcome into your home. Don't worry -- they always stay in their two straight lines, remember?

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