Poor Miss Clavel.

Madeline's Rescue
Written & Illustrated by Ludwig Bemelmans
1954 Caldecott Medal Winner
Age Level: 3-7 Years
Published April 3, 1953

Who knew good things could come from falling into the river?

I assume we all own the beloved classic, Madeline, but just as cherished in my house is the Caldecott Medal-winning companion story, Madeline’s Rescue. At the risk of sounding scandalous, I’d venture to say that we even prefer it to the original.  

Madeline takes her signature daredevil walk along the River Seine, tiptoeing precariously along the banister of the bridge, but this time she falls into the river! Her tumble elicits a horrified gasp from my son, even though he’s read the book dozens of times. A stray pup swims to Madeline’s rescue, pulling her out of the water and up onto the riverbank.

The dog, Genevieve, is adopted by the girls and lives happily among them until the school board comes to perform its annual inspection. Upon discovering a canine living among the pupils, the wretched board of trustees throws Genevieve back onto the streets. The girls are completely devastated, and they take to the streets of Paris searching high and low for their pet. 

“Hours after they had started

They came back home broken-hearted.”

To my children’s immense relief, Genevieve finds her way back to school. That very same evening, the dog gives birth to a litter of 12 puppies, one for each girl in school. My kids are overjoyed by this ending. And my daughter always takes the opportunity to remind me that she still wants a dog of her own.