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Madlenka
Madlenka's Dog
Another delightful romp around Madlenka's city block
Madlenka wants a dog! She doesn't really care what kind, so long as it's a dog that she can put on a leash and walk around the block. But her mother and father say NO! What is Madlenka to do? It just takes some imagination . . . Madlenka's friends on the block all play along, remembering the dogs of their childhood, and in the end it seems quite possible that there's more to Madlenka's dog than we can see. With his considerable charm, Peter Sís uses lift-up flaps and peek-through windows to bring us into Madlenka's magical world where play and fantasy make wishes come true.
Madlenka's Dog is a 2002 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and a 2003 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
Madlenka wants a dog! She doesn't really care what kind, so long as it's a dog that she can put on a leash and walk around the block. But her mother and father say NO! What is Madlenka to do? It just takes some imagination . . . Madlenka's friends on the block all play along, remembering the dogs of their childhood, and in the end it seems quite possible that there's more to Madlenka's dog than we can see. With his considerable charm, Peter Sís uses lift-up flaps and peek-through windows to bring us into Madlenka's magical world where play and fantasy make wishes come true.
Madlenka's Dog is a 2002 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and a 2003 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Peter Sís
102 books232 followersPETER SÍS is an internationally acclaimed illustrator, filmmaker, painter and author. Born in 1949 in Brno, Czechoslovakia, and grew up in Prague. He studied painting and filmmaking at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague and the Royal College of Art in London. His animated work is in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art. He came to America in 1982, and now lives in New York's Hudson Valley with his family. Peter Sís is the first children's book artist to be named a MacArthur Fellow. In 2012 he won The Hans Christian Andersen Award.
His many distinguished books include Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei, Tibet: Through the Red Box, Madlenka, Rainbow Rhino, The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin, The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, and The Conference of the Birds.
His many distinguished books include Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei, Tibet: Through the Red Box, Madlenka, Rainbow Rhino, The Tree of Life: Charles Darwin, The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain, and The Conference of the Birds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
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May 22, 2025
'In the universe, on a planet, on a continent, in a country, in a city, in house on a block where everyone is walking a dog, there lives a girl named Madlenka'
Peter Sis' Madlenka's Dog is a wonderful edition to any young child's book collection. When a little girl is denied a pet dog by her parents, she takes to the streets walking her imaginary dog and all the local residence play along, picturing their own four-legged childhood companions as Madlenka's dog. Beautifully illustrated with the authors signature, detail intensive style, this book manages in few words to purvey an incredible lesson on imagination, our place in the vast universe, and how people from all over the world are very similar where it really matters despite their difference in culture, looks, and language.[image error]Like the book Madlenka, a great book as well, however, aimed at a slightly older audience (Madlenka's Dog is easily enjoyed and understood by any age, such as by my 2 year old daughter), Madlenka's city block is full of people from all across the world. Each page contains a tiny map with different colored dots to show where each person is, making it a great exercise in spatial relations and showing how we are only a small dot in a wide world. All these diverse people are brought together in one city to coexist despite their differences, yet Sis emphasizes the common bonds we all share, such as the memory of a childhood pet. Each page contains tiny flaps that are lifted to show a brightly colored moment from each person's childhood as they play with their dog.
This seemingly creates a sort of portal between the two characters, pulling them from their reality into a shared imaginary realm where they can be whatever they want to be.
I highly recommend any of Peter Sis' children's books. They appeal both to children and to the adult's that read them every night at bedtime. This book not only has wonderful artwork, but is interactive and is full of great abstract thought. I also highly recommend (although, once again, for older children) The Three Golden Keys, which is filled with the legends of Sis' childhood home in Prague and contain some of the most amazing artwork I have ever seen in children's books. This book is very fun and has a heartwarming ending.
5/5
Peter Sis' Madlenka's Dog is a wonderful edition to any young child's book collection. When a little girl is denied a pet dog by her parents, she takes to the streets walking her imaginary dog and all the local residence play along, picturing their own four-legged childhood companions as Madlenka's dog. Beautifully illustrated with the authors signature, detail intensive style, this book manages in few words to purvey an incredible lesson on imagination, our place in the vast universe, and how people from all over the world are very similar where it really matters despite their difference in culture, looks, and language.[image error]Like the book Madlenka, a great book as well, however, aimed at a slightly older audience (Madlenka's Dog is easily enjoyed and understood by any age, such as by my 2 year old daughter), Madlenka's city block is full of people from all across the world. Each page contains a tiny map with different colored dots to show where each person is, making it a great exercise in spatial relations and showing how we are only a small dot in a wide world. All these diverse people are brought together in one city to coexist despite their differences, yet Sis emphasizes the common bonds we all share, such as the memory of a childhood pet. Each page contains tiny flaps that are lifted to show a brightly colored moment from each person's childhood as they play with their dog.
The endless possibilities of imagination come alive in Sis' works, as Madlenka and her imaginary dog meet up with her friend Cleopatra and her imaginary horse and run into the courtyard to play. The imaginary worlds they play in have small holes cut into each page that allow the face of Madlenka and Cleopatra to show on each page.
My daughter loves this book
This seemingly creates a sort of portal between the two characters, pulling them from their reality into a shared imaginary realm where they can be whatever they want to be.
I highly recommend any of Peter Sis' children's books. They appeal both to children and to the adult's that read them every night at bedtime. This book not only has wonderful artwork, but is interactive and is full of great abstract thought. I also highly recommend (although, once again, for older children) The Three Golden Keys, which is filled with the legends of Sis' childhood home in Prague and contain some of the most amazing artwork I have ever seen in children's books. This book is very fun and has a heartwarming ending.
5/5
July 3, 2016
Oh, I was optimistic that I’d enjoy this book even more than I enjoyed Madlenka, After all, I adore dogs. But, I think I didn’t like it quite as much as the first book. (I did notice that in the author bio section, he has 2 daughters and their names are both variations of the name of the main character in this book, and I’m sure that was a deliberate and sweet choice on his part.)
So, Madlenka wants a dog and when her parents say no, she finds a way to have an experience with “her” dog. There is a cute surprise ending.
There are the same windows as in the first book, and lift the flaps. But there aren’t all the cute miniature pictures on every page as there were with the other book. There is the same earth honing in on a NYC neighborhood full of people who’ve come from various parts of the world. And, there is a cute chart “map” page at the end of the book that shows each person (with a colored dot) and the dog, and a bunch drawings of dogs, all pure breed dogs. Personally, I prefer mutts and would have appreciated at least one mixed breed dog, preferably a bunch of them. But it’s a cute story, and I hope there are or will be more stories about Madlenka.
So, Madlenka wants a dog and when her parents say no, she finds a way to have an experience with “her” dog. There is a cute surprise ending.
There are the same windows as in the first book, and lift the flaps. But there aren’t all the cute miniature pictures on every page as there were with the other book. There is the same earth honing in on a NYC neighborhood full of people who’ve come from various parts of the world. And, there is a cute chart “map” page at the end of the book that shows each person (with a colored dot) and the dog, and a bunch drawings of dogs, all pure breed dogs. Personally, I prefer mutts and would have appreciated at least one mixed breed dog, preferably a bunch of them. But it’s a cute story, and I hope there are or will be more stories about Madlenka.
June 1, 2011
Madlenka lives in a neighborhood where everyone always walks their dogs. She desperately wants a dog of her own, but her parents won't allow it. A dog does come to Madlenka, though. It's a very special dog in that everyone who sees Madlenka going around walking a leash (some might say that is all she is walking, but she knows better!) seem to see their own childhood dogs in the collar. The story gets very imaginative and a bit odd as she and her friend take their pets to various lands like Ancient Egypt, and I wasn't sure if I thought it was fun and clever or just weird and misplaced with the rest of the narrative, but overall it's a fun story and I love the lift-the-flap aspects and the testament to how much a childhood dog influences our whole lives.
May 28, 2011
Madlenka "wants a dog very much." But, apparently, is unable to have one (we don't learn why). But what I love, is that she doesn't get sad about it, but instead lets her imagination take over and pretends to have a dog. The wonderful, diverse people in her city all pretend along with her (each seeing a different dog presumably one from their own childhoods - and there is a glossary of sorts in the back). Then to make things even more fun, Madlenka's friend, Cleopatra, has a "pet horse." Together they have all sorts of imaginative adventures.
This book didn't overly wow me, but I do love the concept. Ditto on the art, which is a bit abstract, but very cute and there's the delightful addition of lift-the-flap (which I always enjoyed when I was young).
This book didn't overly wow me, but I do love the concept. Ditto on the art, which is a bit abstract, but very cute and there's the delightful addition of lift-the-flap (which I always enjoyed when I was young).
December 13, 2012
We read Madlenka quite a long time ago. I don't think our girls really remembered it. So when we read this book, I don't think they were able to relate to the characters. Still, they thought the book was humorous. I liked the imagination of the two girls.
The illustrations are very similar to the first book and while they are nicely detailed, they are not my favorite. Still, our girls enjoy lift-the-flap books and they took turns checking out the hidden pictures. We enjoyed reading this book together.
The illustrations are very similar to the first book and while they are nicely detailed, they are not my favorite. Still, our girls enjoy lift-the-flap books and they took turns checking out the hidden pictures. We enjoyed reading this book together.
January 6, 2009
Madlenka wants a dog so very badly, she just goes ahead and gets herself one. What does it matter that there doesn't seem to be anything at the end of that red leash? All of Madlenka's neighbors and friends share memories of their own childhood canine companions, helped by clever flaps tucked among the illustrations. A delightful story for someone who dreams of having a dog.
August 17, 2018
Creative and interactive, with flaps and die-cut pages! Madlenka wants a dog so badly that she makes one up. As she takes her imaginary dog for a walk in the city, the pages offer up little flaps, which lift up and reveal pictures of the childhood dogs, of the different characters that they pass. When Madlenka meets a child with an imaginary horse, small circle cutouts feature the girls’ faces as they romp through fantasy lands together with their pets. The end is great too, all the neighborhood dogs follow Madlenka home!
September 23, 2020
Madlenka wants a dog, but doesn't have one, so she pretends.
She introduces the dog to everyone she meets on the street.
You can open the flaps to see what the people imagine.
Madlenka and her imaginary dog and her friend with her friend's imaginary horse have fun playing in the courtyard.
Then, it's time to go home.
She introduces the dog to everyone she meets on the street.
You can open the flaps to see what the people imagine.
Madlenka and her imaginary dog and her friend with her friend's imaginary horse have fun playing in the courtyard.
Then, it's time to go home.
August 21, 2019
Not too wordy so it's good for storytime and I loved the bit where the Madlenka and Cleopatra play with both of their imaginary pets in different scenarios! I think I would enjoy reading this and the kids may do as well.
September 23, 2020
Madlenka wants a dog very much. So much, she imagines one into existence and sets off around her block to show him off!
Read this after reading Madlenka. It's very similar, with birds' eye views of Madlenka's city block, and neat maps that show where Madlenka is as she travels around it.
Read this after reading Madlenka. It's very similar, with birds' eye views of Madlenka's city block, and neat maps that show where Madlenka is as she travels around it.
February 7, 2023
This book is great for beginner readers because there are minimal words on each page and are easy to read. The illustrations are very unique and would be entertaining for kids. The book is about a little girl wanting a dog, so some children might be able to make connections to this book.
November 24, 2017
For me this was a hit. The illustrations are lovely and the kids particularly liked the park scenes... (spoiler alert: there are more than just dogs in the imaginations of the kids in the book!)
September 7, 2018
Good use of imagination
September 19, 2018
Read this for the illustrations as I enjoy his work - he may create children's picture books but the art work is not just for children
March 22, 2021
A cute story about Madlenka wanting a dog and her parents saying no. That doesn’t stop Madlenka! Kids will love the lift the flaps and enjoy learning more about the different dogs.
September 3, 2015
Madlekna's Dog is a wonderful book that entices the imagination. It is about little Madlenka and how she wants a dog so she can walk it around her block. She imagines her little fur friend, and what it would be like if she did get to walk it around the block and the people in her neighborhood she would see! All her neighbors imagine with her what kind of dog is at the end of her leash. When she runs into a friend, imaginations really run wild! This is a fun, adventurous book that tells the vastness of a child's imagination.
The illustrations in this book are unique, some pages being only illustrations. What I found unique about this book is the map at the top right hand of every page that shows where Madlenka is in her neighborhood. It's a clever way to follow the story, and it's the first time I've seen this in a book. A couple pages in, the illustrations come to life! Some all black and white, with the contrast of color I think shows the separation of what Madlenka's mind can conjure up and the real world around her.
The illustrations in this book are unique, some pages being only illustrations. What I found unique about this book is the map at the top right hand of every page that shows where Madlenka is in her neighborhood. It's a clever way to follow the story, and it's the first time I've seen this in a book. A couple pages in, the illustrations come to life! Some all black and white, with the contrast of color I think shows the separation of what Madlenka's mind can conjure up and the real world around her.
June 6, 2021
Madlenka's Dog is a special book. It touches on that thing that I think is the thing in life -- memories, especially memories of childhood. Everybody (except for the very young, and those suffering from memory issues) has their own narrative of who they are and what matters to them, and it comes from their memories. And nothing is more meaningful, I think, than looking back on that as you continue to move forward.
In this book, Madlenka walks around the block with her pretend dog. All the people she passes think of their own dog they had and loved when they were a child. There are little flaps to see that person with their childhood dog, and against the black-and-white cross-hatching, it's really moving! I almost cried! There is just something so sweet about seeing adults reminded of their childhood.
(My copy reads: To Roberta; Peter Sis)
In this book, Madlenka walks around the block with her pretend dog. All the people she passes think of their own dog they had and loved when they were a child. There are little flaps to see that person with their childhood dog, and against the black-and-white cross-hatching, it's really moving! I almost cried! There is just something so sweet about seeing adults reminded of their childhood.
(My copy reads: To Roberta; Peter Sis)
August 15, 2011
A beautiful book about imagination and its power to evoke happy memories. Madlenka wants a dog so badly. Her parents refuse, so she leaves it to her imagination to provide one. Madlenka puts a leash on her imaginary dog and takes it for a walk in her city neighborhood. As she passes people, they comment on the dog. Someone sees a big, woolly dog, while someone else sees a dog with spots. There are flaps you can lift to see the dog the person is thinking of. Soon Madlenka meets her school friend, Cleopatra. It is obvious from the illustration that Cleopatra is in possession of an imaginary horse. The two play in the courtyard, and what follows is a series of illustrations that capture perfectly the imagination of a child. A lovely book, whether you like dogs or not.
October 17, 2007
I found this book to be very touching. Madlenka desperately wants her very own dog and takes her imaginary one for a walk about the city. She encounters people who gaze upon her empty lease and imagine the dog that they once had as a child. I read this story to a group of children and they got a kick out of the pop-up elements included in the story.
February 7, 2016
Madlenka really, really wants a dog, but her parents haven't gotten her one yet. Undeterred, she grabs a leash and heads out with her pretend dog to show all her neighbors. Each neighbors sees the dog as the one they would like.
Illustrations are fab - there are little flaps you open to see what the dog looks like for each person Madlenka encounters.
Illustrations are fab - there are little flaps you open to see what the dog looks like for each person Madlenka encounters.
January 19, 2012
Warning to librarians: there are flaps to lift throughout the story. My experience with books like this is the shelf life is shorter than other books. That being said, great addition to he library about the power of imagination!
March 11, 2012
On my first day of work at morning circle I read this story and the kids were captivated. Madlenka is like a little bright beacon you can follow in the greyness. The power of her imagination puts color into her world.
September 10, 2015
Finally, one of the Madlenka books that came together for me. This one had all the pluses of the other books, but was more cohesive so it broke free from the minuses, and it included a few flip-ups. Sis is stunning with his pen!
May 13, 2008
this is a really cool book!
July 12, 2008
Check out this artist. Peter Sis has written and illustrated numerous gorgeous picture books. And...he designed the tile work at the subway stop ot 86th and Lexington in NYC. Check that out, too!
July 13, 2009
More multi-cultural Madlenka. Charming.
November 10, 2011
a beautiful book about the power of imagination
January 18, 2012
LOVED! Pop-up flaps show what other people's dogs looked like growing up. Great for imagination.
April 16, 2012
So fun! Has little flaps to see different kinds of dogs & a glossary in the back. Perfect for a project on doggies!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews