The New Adventures of Madeline
Mademoiselle Madeline & friends are adorable, no?
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this sweet series focuses on the adventures of a small French girl and her friends in Paris, based on the popular books by Ludwig Bemelmans.
Community Reviews
Report this review
Report this review
What's the Story?
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.
Is It Any Good?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the various predicaments in which Madeline becomes entangled. How do your kids deal with similar situations? There are also opportunities in each episode to learn a few words in French and Spanish.
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 18, 1993
- Cast: Andrea Libman, David Morse, Louise Vallance
- Networks: Disney Channel, Kidstream
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Adventures, Book Characters, Friendship, Music and Sing-Along
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Madeline
Great adaptation for young kids and fans of the books.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate