The very first book in the beloved Madeline series, filled with the charming and unique boarding-school life of Miss Clavel and her twelve little girls, along with the adorable and spirited Madeline herself! Winner of the 1940 Caldecott Honor, this picture book classic has been cherished for over 80 years. Most of us can remember feeling a little jealous when a sibling got sick or hurt and received extra love and attention from the grown-ups. Children with younger siblings often feel this same longing to be the one who's cared for. In one especially funny scene, the other girls are so envious of the attention their friend receives in the hospital that they cry and beg to have their appendix removed too! At the same time, you can feel just how well the author understands children's hearts and sees the world from their perspective. First published in 1939 and awarded the Caldecott Honor in 1940, this story is now more than 80 years old, yet it still captures the hearts of children everywhere with its warmth and humor. The image of twelve little girls living together under Miss Clavel's care in a boarding house may feel a bit unfamiliar at first, but the illustrations—showing them lining up in two neat rows, scattering, and regrouping again and again—create a rhythm almost like a group dance, adding a fresh and delightful charm to the story. The twelve little girls live in Paris, France, and familiar Parisian landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River appear throughout the book. Yet these exotic details never overwhelm the story or make children from other cultures feel distant from it—likely because the illustrator's warmth and thoughtfulness are broad enough to embrace children everywhere. The soft yellow background, evoking the innocence, warmth, and delicate vulnerability of childhood, pairs beautifully with the bold, free-flowing black lines that look as though they were painted with a brush, leaving a striking and memorable impression. Small and delicate, yet full of personality and charm, Madeline has become one of Ludwig Bemelmans' most iconic characters. She has gone on to star in beloved titles such as Madeline, Madeline's Rescue, and Madeline and the Bad Hat, becoming a timeless classic loved by readers for nearly a century.