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Madeline and the Bad Hat

(1939, Fiction - Picture Book, Written by Ludwig Bemelmans, Illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    A little heavy-handed, but still a charming book.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Pepito's teasing borders on cruelty.

  • Violence & scariness:

    Chickens are guillotined. Dogs attack Pepito.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Madeline and the Bad Hat

Parents need to know that this lesson in decent behavior may not entertain young readers. But the art is rich with detail and excitement, and the verse is witty.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about ways to go about making new friends. Do you change your behavior to impress them or be more like them? Or is it better to just be yourself?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    jengrammer
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 1.0

    Not for sensitive children or for children you don't wish to desensitize

    I love the Madeline books as do my daughters but I was appalled at this one. We skipped reading it because I think a book for young children shouldn't show a little boy cutting off chicken's heads to be mean. I would not read it to young children. The others in the series are excellent, however.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Parent Reviewer
    jengrammer
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 1.0

    Not for sensitive children or for children you don't wish to desensitize

    I love the Madeline books as do my daughters but I was appalled at this one. We skipped reading it because I think a book for young children shouldn't show a little boy cutting off chicken's heads to be mean. I would not read it to young children. The others in the series are excellent, however

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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