Madeline is a children's book series written by Ludwig Bemelmans, an American author of Belgian, Austrian and German origins. The first book in the series, Madeline, was published in 1939. It proved to be a success, and Bemelmans wrote many sequels to the original during the 1940s and 1950s. The series continues to this day, written by Bemelmans' grandson John Bemelmans-Marciano. The books were later adapted into a television series and a feature film.
The books, and the show, detail Madeline's daily adventures in late 1930s France. Every day, she and her friends break their bread, brush their teeth, go to bed, and go for a walk in two straight lines. As well, each book shows Madeline's bravery and kindness, especially in the face of adversity.
From the Sept. 4, 1939 issue of Life Magazine:
