Ludwig Bemelmans

Miss Clavel has her hands full with her young students: twelve little girls of whom the youngest is Madeline. Madeline’s fearlessness often causes Miss Clavel great consternation as they travel around Paris in two straight lines!

Madeline takes a trip to Texas when she is told that her great-grandfather left her an inheritance. The manuscript was complete when Bemelmans’ grandson found a completed manuscript and illustrated it as his grandfather might have done.

Recommended by Noel – I love this book for its beautiful art, elegant prose, and of course, the plucky and adorable Madeline. With just a few words, Bemelmans manages to make Madeline and Miss Clavel come to life. It’s also a wonderful book for young armchair travellers, giving them a taste of Paris.