The world of children's books can be a curious racket. The best stories often don't come from far out adventures that require imaginations, but of ones that require creative allegories of the everyday life. This is true for "Madeline," which has managed to churn out a popular book series and film over the course of its 75+ year existence. What makes the story so special? Well, it's tough to say. It's merely a book about getting your appendix removed. Is that all there is to like about it? On the contrary. Even with limited language and plot, the journey of Madeline in her debut story is a short but engaging read that brings to life a hero for curious kids wanting to explore the world around them.
The story is written predominantly in rhyme, which is part of its charm. Madeline is introduced as an inquisitive child who grows up at a Catholic orphanage. She isn't afraid of animals at the zoo (she says "pooh pooh" to them), nor is she afraid of taking chances. Over Ludwig Bemelmans' introduction of her, there's a lot to enjoy about who she is. To a general child, Madeline could be them. They could be the "outsider" who is merely that way because they like to explore and try different things. To modern audiences, it would be seen as the personality traits of a trend-setter, as Madeline's most courageous act in the book (surgery) soon becomes a defining achievement that everyone wants to imitate.
The story's most ingenious tool is managing to shift the narrative from breezy and fun to a bit morose. While never dark, the story evolves to exploring Madeline's post-op time where she recovers. It's less rhythmic compared to the first half. However, it helps to establish the fear that Madeline is likely facing without addressing it directly. Bemelmans manages to personalize this little girl's struggle in a way that makes it feel like the story is about more than surgery. It could be a struggle to do anything else that is scary to a child. Maybe it's making friends, or fessing up to misbehavior. Still, Madeline serves as a hero for her ability to face fear and be rewarded with acceptance and better health. It's important to challenge oneself from time to time, and Madeline does that just fine.
There's not much else to dissect from the book. It is a straightforward story with characters who don't really evolve or change. Still, it is curious why "Madeline" has made it through the decades and into the next century. She is a universal figure of hope, but her story is also not all that exciting. How could a child's story about getting your appendix removed ever be? With all of that said, it is too brief and precise to ever be problematic. It lets the reader connect with Madeline on a personal level, even if there's not enough other reason to like her. Maybe that will be covered in the sequels.
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
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