Madeline and the Gypsies

Madeline #5

by Ludwig Bemelmans

“ In an old house in Paris
that was covered with vines
lived twelve little girls
in two straight lines
the smallest one was Madeline . ”
 
 
Nothing frightens Madeline—not tigers, not even mice. With its endearing, courageous heroine, cheerful humor, and wonderful, whimsical drawings of Paris, the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers, even after 75 years. Join Madeline in another adventure when she and Pepito run off to join the carnival with a band of traveling gypsies! 

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was the author of the beloved Madeline books, including Madeline , a Caldecott Honor Book, and Madeline's Rescue , winner of the Caldecott Medal.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Classics, France, Banned Books, Poetry

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1958

About the author

Ludwig Bemelmans, Austrian-American illustrator, wrote books, such as Madeline in 1939, for children, and his experiences in the restaurant business based Hotel Splendide , adult fiction in 1940.

People internationally knew Ludwig Bemelmans, an author and a gourmand. People today most note his six publications to 1961. After his death, people discovered and posthumously published a seventh in 1999.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_...

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline and Pepito visit the travelling fayre that comes to town. Unfortunately a storm cause the big wheel to be stopped, when the others are evacuated Madeline and Pepito are stranded in a car at the top. When they get down they ask one of the gypsies if they can spend the night in their beautiful caravan they discover it's quite nice. After spending the next day travelling to a new destination and learning some acrobatics they decide that life in the circus is more fun than school and stay on to perform there.

Lovely paintings, the ones of the children in harlequin clown costumes are beautiful and reminiscent of the picasso paintings of the same subject.

[Abigail · Rating 1 out of 5]

Madeline and Pepito find themselves left behind when Miss Clavel and her class visit the local carnival one day, and are taken in by the gypsies, who feed them strong drugs and incorporate them into their circus act. As Miss Clavel agonizes about their fate, the two friends lead a carefree, adventure-filled life, one with few annoying chores or obligations - no brushing of teeth! no going to bed on time! - and plenty of fun. Every new experience palls eventually, however, and the two eventually contact Miss Clavel, who immediately sets out to collect them. The gypsy mother, on the other hand, being determined to keep them, decides to disguise them (together) as a lion...

I sometimes find it a little difficult to credit that, although other maliciously destructive myths about various racial, ethnic and religious minorities - Jews kill Christian babies (the Blood Libel) in esoteric blood rites! Africans are black because they are the descendants of Ham (the Curse of Ham), and naturally fit for slavery! - have been rejected, the idea of Gypsies (Romani) as dirty, carefree vagrants who kidnap non-Rom children persists as an "entertaining" trope in our literature, with few questions asked. I feel certain that, if a children's picture-book promoted either of the other two ideas mentioned above, there would be an instant outcry. Here, however, reviewers speak of the "charm" of the artwork, and the "fun" of the story. Absolute Piffle! Leaving aside the lunacy of the stereotype itself - how and why a group of people who, throughout their long and troubled history in Europe, in which they have variously been enslaved, forbidden from owning land or participating in specific professions, and deliberately targeted for extermination in the Nazi Final Solution, would have the desire (let alone the means) to take on other people's children, has never been clear to me - and ignoring all ethical concerns, Madeline and the Gypsies is just a poor story, with a clunky, awkward text (as with its predecessors, I found many of the rhymes here rather forced, and the rhythm somewhat off), and rather drab artwork.

Although I'm not really a fan of the Madeline books, this is the first one I've actively disliked. Utter dreck.

[Cheryl · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think that I looked at this a few times when I was a child. I remember the main characters' cute harlequin costumes. But I don't appreciate it at all now. I just can't suspend the disbelief that these children would truly be able to run away with the circus, and I'm pretty sure the term 'gypsies' is being used inaccurately and disrespectfully here.

Thank you to Little Free Libraries for introducing me to books that I never would see otherwise.

[Ms. B]

The title made me cringe. Unless you're a die-hard Madeline fan, stick with the one of the other originals (Madeline, Madeline's Rescue, etc.).

[Mary Alice · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think this is too disturbing to be a Madeline-type children's book. Whether you recognize it or not, Madeline has been kidnapped! Not a great thing for a child. And though the Gypsies are nice, should we be exposing our children to the myth that Gypsies are child snatchers?

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Racial stereotypes and slurs aside, it's a great book.

[Danni Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've been delightedly rereading all the Madeline books, but this one was disappointingly unenjoyable due to blatant racism.

[Aneesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was on the fence about this but Andrea's review is, "No; it's racist."

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madeline is a spunky little redhead who is constantly getting into the most interesting predicaments and having adventures that must have caused poor Miss Clavel to have gray hair long before her time. In this particular adventure, Miss Clavel takes the "twelve little girls in two straight lines" plus their neighbor Pepito (the Spanish ambassador's son) to the gypsy carnival where there are rides and circus-like acts and much excitement for the children. In the middle of their outing there is a sudden storm and Miss Clavell and the children rush back to the convent--only to find that Madeline and Pepito are not with them. When the storm came on the Ferris wheel was stopped and the two children were stranded at the top of the wheel. The rest of the story features Madeline and Pepito's adventures with the gypsy carnival--taking part in a horse-riding act and even appearing as a lion--before Miss Clavell and eleven little girls arrive to take them home.

This particular installment of the Madeline stories appears on the American Library Association's "Top 100 Most Banned & Challenge Books: 2010-2019" presumably because of the term gypsy and the depiction of the gypsy mama as being willing to run off with the children and even disguise them in the lion costume to prevent them from being found. I can only say that when I read these stories as a child, the only thing I had in mind was the adventure--watching Madeline and Pepito have the chance to join the circus (so to speak) and travel with the caravan for a short time before returning safely home to Paris. I don't think I gave much thought to how the people they wound up with were categorized. The illustrations stuck in my mind as circus-related--not gypsy-related. But now as an adult I can certainly see the enforcement of a negative view of the Romani people--which is unfortunate because the story is full of adventure and lovely illustrations that bring back memories of reading when I was young.

My rating for the story when I first read it would have been four stars (though I never entered it in my reading log or gave it a rating). I loved Madeline and reading about her adventures and always had great fun with these stories. The illustrations were always fun and eye-catching. Reading it now, I will deduct a star for the negative connotations, but the nostalgia and eye-catching illustrations still have a strong pull.

First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.

[Scarlett Mirano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm.. mommy says this one is slightly culturally offensive - but Madeline is still my girl and it’s not her fault that the times were different

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Madeline series.

Madeline and Pepito (her friend from Madeline and the Red Hat) run away with the gypsies after attending the Gypsy Carnival. They have a great time until Miss Clavel tracks them down and brings them home just as they begin to feel homesick.

Huge suspension of disbelief required. Awesome illustrations.

I read this as part of my Big Fat Reading Project for 1959. I found the book at my local library.

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are so stupidly ridiculous and I love them for it.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

To check out my reviews: http://dancinginth3dark.blogspot.com

It was difficult trying to relate and enjoy this book because we live in the 21st century. Growing up my mother and my family always told me about the dangers of talking to strangers and what to do if I found myself lost or in need of any help. Since we live in an age where you cannot even leave your child alone for 5 minutes by themselves I found this story to be unbelievable.

Madeline and the gang are off to visit the carnival. Everything is going smoothly until it starts raining and all hell breaks loose. Miss Clavel gather up everyone and heads back to the house to escape the bad weather and everything seems fine until she realizes that Madeline is still at the Carnival. We discover that Madeline and Pepito were in the Ferris Wheel when the gang left and now are lost and do not know how to get back home.

The carnival people which includes an elderly gypsy, a ringmaster, and a few others accept Madeline and Pepito as new members and leave Paris. The gypsy loves their company and never wants them to leave. Miss Clavel and the girls are heartbroken that weeks have past without word of Madeline until they receive a letter from Pepito and Madeline about their wonderful adventures in the carnival and revealed their location because they want to go home.

Realistically if a Gypsy like this one in the story practically kidnapped you and never wants you to leave then she would make sure that you are kept as prisoners never to return home. I am sorry that I sound dark and depressing but realistically this book failed to teach your kids the dangers of being on their own without their parents. Madeline and Pepito were gullible that life in the circus is great and wonderful and they regret it later on when they want to go back home.

I believe books teaches people and it's important to know the message you want to illustrate and to make sure that you are not showcasing something else that can make people come to awful conclusions. I do not believe books causes violence like if you read a book like Rage by Stephen King, I do not believe that a teenager tomorrow is going to buy a gun and take a classroom hostage because of a book.

But when you are writing books for children, it is quite simple to teach them what is acceptable in a book. If I read this book as a child, I would believe it's perfectly acceptable to get lost and not bother calling my parents to pick me up or call for help. These characters could careless about their loved ones and friends when they realized that they are alone in the Carnival and that got me mad and outrage because I know for a fact that a kid would follow these characters footsteps regardless whether they are at a circus, zoo, or Disney world.

I'm sorry to go off on this rant but it really got me mad when reading this book and discover this children could careless about their loved ones and it was later on that they went into panic mood. Most children who would get essentially kidnapped by this story plot would unfortunately never make it back to their loved ones ever again. Hopefully parents can teach their kids what to do when you end up lost.

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was part of my childhood home library in the early 1970s. I have no idea if we had a first edition, but it was a hardback. This book sticks out in my memory because I remember looking at it before I could read, while I was learning to read, and then when I could read.

The text came to gradually, as if waiting for fog to burn away. But the art I could connect with right away. I think the story I came up with in my head was probably better than this, but I'll be darned if I can remember what it was. I loved staring at the "circus steed". I was also sad to see the old Gypsy woman crying with grief into her pale handkerchief (which, due the local accent, was pronounced HAN ker chiff).

When I did finally read every word in this story, I was kind of disappointed. Madeline turned out to be a bit of a brat. I either sold or gave the book away. I don't plan on replacing it.

This is part of a series about Madeline, but you do not have to read any of the previous books to understand what's going on here.

I have no idea why this book was banned. As a kid, I really liked the Gypsy woman. I thought she was kind.

[Samantha Penrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madeline and Pepito are forgotten at the carnival; stuck at the top of the ferris wheel in a storm!
A handful of carnies help the children down, and a gypsy doses them up with some strange brew. The gypsy mama decides to pack up camp and take the kids with her.
Madeline and Pepito enjoy the perks of the gypsy lifestyle, skipping school, staying up late, and they even dabble in acrobatics.
The kids decide to send a postcard to Miss Clavel, assuring her that they are well.
Of course, Miss Clavel hurries "fast and faster" to collect the children.
The gypsy mama is not so keen on giving up her new children, so in an attempt to hide them, she sews them up in a lion costume!
The children are, of course, rescued by Miss Clavel and the other little girls. Madeline has all of the gypsy filth scrubbed off of her, and is tucked into bed.
The end.

Madeline stories are so bizarre, and politically incorrect at times, but the illustrations are breathtaking.
My five year old son is a huge fan...

[Debra Daniels-Zeller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeline, Pepito and the other girls go to a carnival and get stuck on the Ferris wheel in a thunderstorm. The gypsies who run the carnival take the children in and the end up going off with the gypsies who teach them grace and speed. Who didn't think about running away to the circus in the 1950s? We live in such a different world today where people are suspicious of strangers. It's refreshing to think of a time when kids thought about running away and joining up with Gypsies or Peter Pan. I loved it when the Gypsy mama sewed the children into the lion's costume and the lion frightened barnyard animals and a hunter ran away. They go back to the circus where the other girls are sitting in the front row. This is a clever, cute children's book, even after all these years.

[HeavyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I vividly remember the cover of this book. Look at those colors! The sky is green, which is totally disconcerting. I know I read this book--how could I have not read this book? I bet it's in every library I ever stepped foot in. But like so many of the books from my childhood (and there were probably hundreds), I don't remember the story all that well. But how could anyone go wrong with Madeline?

[lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really liked the illustrations but the story was strange. Two small children get taken away from home to be a part of the circus. 'Gypsy Mama' does things like feeds them strong drugs and sews them shut in a lion costume trapping them and forcing them to stay apart of the carnival. Hated the racial stereotypes and slurs. Definitely don't recommend, especially for children to read.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sure. Got left by my group at a public event. So I'll join the gypsies circus. Why not?

This and the rest of the Madeline stories in Mad About Madeline are a great hit with the girls especially the K5 who is starting to read them all by herself.

[Arie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly stars for the illustrations, in all honesty. And the childhood memories.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I see this book I need to read!

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would trouble me to think that people are rating this book high because it's a continuation of a classic. I didn't find it that compelling.

[Khadijah VanBrakle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this as resource material for an author panel I've been invited to.

It is still as problematic as it was when it was originally published in late 1950's.

[Arwen-Vira Marsh]

harmful stereotypes perpetuated to children

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was originally published the same year I was born - me, Barbie and the silicon chip. I'm always fascinated by things as old as me that still hold their place in the world. Beyond that trivia fact though, there is little to thrill me about Madeline stories. The color illustrations are interesting enough, and Bemelmans does identify the places he has included, but I've never been thrilled by the mostly yellow drawings that comprise most of the book.

In this one, Madeline and the boy next door, Pepito, are left behind at a gypsy circus by poor Miss Clavel, who sweeps all the other girls into a cab to get home and out of the bad weather. The portrayal of gypsies is less than politically correct, but not outside of common usage in 1959. The Gypsy Mama give the kids a 'potent' drink and the circus moves away before they wake up. When Miss Clavel comes to save them, Gypsy Mama hides them from her. Eventually though, they are found and returned to the school, where Miss Clavel can count to 12 - much to her relief - over and over again.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you adore the Madeline books, you'll love this one, where she and her friend Pepito run off to join a carnival. And not just any random carnival but one with a band of traveling gypsies.

What a romantic world this is. Imagine the nearest big city to you. If there were an orphanage for 12 little girls, would the house next door belong to the Spanish ambassador?

(When I was in high school, this NYC kid was friends with the son and daughter of the Jamaican ambassador. Once I visited them at their apartment and was one opulent place! Way-way-way out of my league. Just saying.)

BACK AT THIS ADVENTUROUS TALE

The cheery rhyming couplets create a contagious sense of happiness, especially in conjunction with the whimsical full-color illustrations. Although I can't provide a look at these fab illustrations, here's my favorite rhyming couplet in this book:

A bright new day--the sky is blue;
The storm is gone; the world is new."

Dramatically reunited with Miss Clavel, Madeline and Pepito were rescued from an unlikely prison.

[Andrea Renfrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find kids' varying tastes in books fascinating. My daughter liked the Madeline books ok, but was definitely more of a Ladybug Girl (Davis and Soman) fan. That love began as a teensy tiny thing (her first birthday party was ladybug themed) and continues today (at age 12 I still see her reading them to her brother or lounging in our library with them between PreAlgebra and French lessons). My son (age 2), on the other hand, can't get enough of Madeline. The color and illustration style, the poetic style, all keep him riveted to the page. I find myself collecting all the Madeline titles we never even glanced at before. I love building picture book libraries for my kids and despite the no longer politically correct title and references, this story is still whimsical and ridiculous in the way that only children's stories can manage. I look forward to discovering more Madeline stories we've missed as he gets older.

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The kid with the Bad Hat, Pepito invites the girls to the Gypsy Circus. After a night of fun everyone goes home and at bedtime they discover that Madeline is missing. Madeline and Pepito are stuck on the ferris wheel at the circus. The gypsies help them down and take the kids with them when they move on to the next town. They teach Pepito and Madeline tricks and have them perform in the circus. The kids have a lot of fun and enjoy not having to brush their teeth or have a bedtime. One day they write home to Miss Calvel. She figures out where the are from the postage stamp and comes for them. The Gypsy mom sees this in her crystal ball, so she disguises the kids as a lion in the circus. The kids are almost shot because their mistaken for a real lion. They are sick of performing and are happy when Miss Calvel comes to take them home.

[Shan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only liked two things about this book: the rhyming and the illustrations. The colors and the way all of the illustrations were painted were stunning and very beautiful. They fittingly had a vintage and unique feel to them. The rhyming allowed the book to flow nicely.
However, this book really does not stand the test of time. I understand that this book was published in the 1950s, when people didn't know any better about other, non-Eurocentric cultures. But, this book would not be appropriate at all today. Romani people, in this book, are depicted as dirty, lawless, and even kind of evil. This is obviously a dated and incorrect idea, but it was the idea at the time.
In a nutshell, this book would have been great back when it was published and earlier, but it loses its luster in today's world.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this novel like all the Madeline novels as a child. I guess I must have liked them more when I was a child because as I read this novel, I wasn't completely in love with it. It is definitely dated with it's text as little Madeline decides to join up with the gypsies. She does have a wonderful time and I guess perhaps that is part of everyone childhood, living a life different from your own. I did enjoy when Madeline was in costume with her friend, that was funny and an adventure in itself. We all know where Madeline belongs in the end , living amongst the "twelve little girls in two straight lines."