Madeline Says Merci: The Always-Be-Polite Book

Madeline

by John Bemelmans Marciano (Illustrator)

Madeline learns her manners!

Madeline loves adventure and is not afraid of mice. She loves winter, snow, and ice. And she also knows the secret to being polite is simply to be kind to others. With help from her friends—Miss Clavel, the girls, and even Pepito—Madeline introduces basic ideas such as please and thank you, sharing, cleaning up, and so much more. With charming illustrations and humorous verse, this new book will be treasured by Madeline fans of all ages.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, France, Classics, Parenting

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

John Bemelmans Marciano carries on the legacy begun by his grandfather, Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator of the Madeline books, with stunning watercolor artwork and playful, energetic storytelling.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of the Madeline series, this is definitely a book to put on your shelf. I love the smaller size of this book in comparison to the classic Madeline hardcover books. Each page contains beautiful, colorful illustrations by Ludwig Bemelmans's grandson, John Bemelmans Marciano. And, of course, the signature rhymes that make Madeline so memorable.

This isn't a typical Madeline book in that it doesn't tell a story. Instead, it's divided into sections that teach young children good manners. There are sections on how to say "please", "thank you" and "sorry", among others.

A wonderful addition to the series of Madeline books.

[Jessica Arend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rereading childhood books 📚

[Tym · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s exactly what it says it is

[Caitlen Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is less of a narrative and more of a direct list of manners. The art style is exactly what you love about Madeline books. That beautiful color-pencil-esque that shows you exactly which book you are reading. Unfortunately, Madeline herself rarely makes an appearance. There are a mix of outdated manners as well as some that aren't useful to the majority of children. I would not want to read this again and I could not imagine it being captivating to a young audience. I think I would only use this if I was trying to teach manners to a child who was already obsessed with Madeline. The tone is strange and some of the rhymes were forced. However, it was a list of manners with a nicely decorated background. Each set of manners was separated by when or where you would need them, for example the dinner table. However, each set was missing a lot of the basic ones in favor for letting you know to curtsy for the queen. Again, the child who this would resonate with seems to be evading me. It seems more like something a passive-aggressive grandmother would give you as a birthday present.

[Jeanine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for Madeline stories, but this was really uncomfortable. Teaches old style politeness that pretends to be "kindness" that I grew up with. No chance for children (although strongly aimed at girls so even worse) to advocate for themselves or have their own feelings heard. Not the type of behaviours I want to encourage in my work kids. Rather teach empathy and respect.

[Sonia Trujillo Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, especially if your little ones are already into Madeline books. My 3 year old actually started putting into practice this book's advise after a few times of reading this book.

[Dianna Thiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the age of potty mouth, this might be a book I read again to my teenagers.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming book of manners

[Aneesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets to the heart of the matter: etiquette is about being kind.

[Wendy Nickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and educational book!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better spin-offs of the Madeline collection that introduces children to proper and polite etiquette.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit old-fashioned but quite cute.

[Little Champs]

3135

[Phyllis M. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved the Madeline book from when i was a small girl in the 1960s. So glad to found them again as an adult!

[kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute lyrical book to talk about kindness and manners

[jamie]

I’m so glad I know how to say thank you now

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline Says Merci: The Always Be Polite Book (Madeline) by John Bemelmans Marciano - This is a cute addition to your Madeline collection! Happy Reading!

[Brooke Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book to read on the first day of school! Students can create their own rules on how to be polite and use their manners.

[Hannah Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline has a few tips on how to always be polite. We should always remember to say hello, please and thank you and I'm sorry when necessary. But all of these polite manners come down to being kind, which is most important.

I have always LOVED Madeline and this book was no exception. I love the rhyming and the sweet pictures of the little girls. I love that it especially emphasized being kind, because that's where manners come from.

This would be a great book to have in the classroom or use to do a lesson plan about being polite and having good manners. I could use this as a social worker to read with any child struggling with being polite to others.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manners! I sound like an old grump when I say kids these day need more manners, but the lessons here are such BASIC things that we were taught as children, which sadly are not taught enough anymore. I would dearly love to see the ideas in this book take root.

Also, found myself thinking that for a child who is autistic, this might be a perfect book to use as a way to teach some basic social skills in a way they can understand. We spent a lot of time working with lessons that reinforce social skills and this is another way to repeat some of that in an interesting way.

[Edward Creter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline is BACK!!! This nice book came out years after the death of author Ludwig Belemans and it's a pleasure getting reacquainted with the original joie de vivre girl! Here she leads old and new fans into lessons of kindness, something missing in plenty of kids books these days, and reminds us that being nice and polite has not gone out of style! Even in an age where MTV tells kids to "stop being polite and start being real" I say--WHY BE EITHER? Kindness is IN! It's what the French call "de rigeure" So: drop the Real World and let's be nice! It's more tres maginifique! Noblesse oblige!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is probably my love for things French which makes this book a delight to read.

Everything about this book makes me smile; "Being Sorry's most important part is that it comes straight from the heart".

In this book, simple manners and etiquette are explored using the much loved icon, Madeline. Although this is probably aimed for younger children. I feel that this could be enjoyed by a sparse audience.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't a huge fan of the rhymes in this book -- many were fairly awkward and forced. The advice for the most part was okay; the book definitely covers many bases.

The best part about the book is that the kids I read it to (three- and four-year-olds) really liked it. I was skeptical that a plotless book like this could hold their attention. Maybe it was just the presence of Madeline or maybe it's just more fun than I thought. But they liked it.

[marmix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book did not make my children polite little darlings, but we all enjoyed the story.
I loved the sing-song narrative and the sweet, important, and thoughtful reminders:

"As you read, please keep in mind
It all comes down to being kind.
Don't forget to think of others -
Parents, pets, and little brothers."

[Maggie Needham · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I'm reading a lot of kids books because of my new job. I hadn't heard of this Madeline book (turns out because it's by the original author's grandson), so I paused for a moment to read it at work yesterday. Cute enough, nice references to the original Madeline books. I would definitely read it to a younger kid.

[Eva Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, well, I already knew most of the stuff in this one, but I guess it's good to be reminded, and I know some people who need to read this book.
I love the drawings. I've seen other books with these girls in them and have to find more of them.

[Teondra Cichosz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in the Madeline books. I chose this book because it has a good way of presenting social skills to younger children. It allows you to read certain parts and then talk to the kids about each skill. The book is simple yet full of good information for younger kids.

[Zohra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that every parent should own. My daughters want it to be read every night and keep repeating the good manners and habits of good girls and then ask me if they are good girls. I love this book not only for the positive message but for it's brilliantly rhyming story.

[Molly Shillington Montenaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good introduction to etiquette for children.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the illustrations in this book are reproduced in the Story Park at Worthington Park Library. Hoorah!!