Madeline and the Gypsies
By Jennifer Gennari,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Not the best in the series, but still a favorite.
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What's the Story?
A gypsy carnival and a sudden storm provide little schoolgirl Madeline and her friend, Pepito, a chance to experience gypsy life, which most readers will think looks like a lot of fun. The illustrations of horses, elephants, and bright-colored gypsy clothing are inviting, yet when a gypsy woman tries to keep them from Miss Clavel, young readers could be frightened.
Is It Any Good?
Kids will enjoy the story and colorful artwork, though adults may find the plot and rhyme less than perfect. Bemelmans makes some awkward word choices, such as shirty to rhyme with dirty. And the plot plays on the stereotype of gypsies stealing children, and it's especially frightening when the two are sewed up inside a lion's costume to keep Miss Clavel from finding them.
In this tale, Madeline and Pepito get to experience the gypsy life, learn some tricks, and, best of all, "never have to brush your teeth, and never-never to go to sleep." Ludwig Bemelmans's artwork is fanciful, with more color and chaos than usual, evoking the style of the gypsies. A particularly lovely night scene illustrates the outside of Mont Saint-Michel, and a busy train-station scene accompanies a reassuring verse about coming home after a journey.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the allure of the circus. What would it be like to travel and work with the lions, horses, and elephants? Would you miss having a permanent home?
Book Details
- Author: Ludwig Bemelmans
- Illustrator: Ludwig Bemelmans
- Genre: Picture Book
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Penguin Group
- Publication date: September 11, 1959
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 7
- Number of pages: 59
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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