The New Adventures of Madeline (CBS, Disney Channel)

THE NEW ADVENTURES OF MADELINE (also known as just Madeline) is a series based on the popular Madeline books by Ludwig Bemelmans. In the books, the 12 little girls in two straight lines, go through their daily activities with alarming precision, watched over by Miss Clavel the nun. In the cartoon incarnation, the girls come to life and stray from their strict lifestyle. They are more or less like any other cartoon girls, albeit with French accents (or attempts at them). The stories are fleshed out with musical numbers and new characters, and more attention is paid to imparting lessons about getting along with others, good manners, and friendship.

Some of the stories are far more fantastic than those in the books; for example, in one episode the girls go on a trip to the North Pole to experience a white Christmas (in the books, Madeline only travels as far as London). Younger children will enjoy the fun, and families can learn words in French, and -- thanks to Pepito, the boy next door -- Spanish.