Madeline's Tea Party

Madeline

by John Bemelmans Marciano

In this story, Madeline hosts a fabulously dainty tea party. Her naughty friend Pepito makes an appearance as well, and havoc ensues! This easy-to-read book is written in rhyme, and there are full-color illustrations throughout in the same charming style as the original Madeline books.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

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

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

How easy do you think it will be for Madeline to host a tea party for all those little girls? Remember how they always walk with her in two perfectly straight lines?

This is sure to be a more challenging project than playing tea party with a couple of teddy bears.

The rhyming text adds to the festive air of a real live tea party. So delightful! For example:

Madeline fills each cup with tea.
The girls drink it up
most happily.

As for that little scamp, Madeline's friend Pepito? Of course he makes an appearance... and just might be forgiven, eventually, for some naughty behavior.

Excellent tea party: I've never given one this large, either to humans or to 11 of my "fellow orphans." FIVE STAR excellence!

[CosterKristina24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about 12 properly poised girls who comes to the fancy Madeline's tea party. Madeline is the youngest of the 12 girls and all are dressed up very formally to attend the tea party. Invited to the tea party also is a boy named Pepito who comes and nearly ruins the party with his rudeness and magic tricks. Later in the story, he feels bad for messing up the tea party but is later greeted by Madeline again with an extra slice of pie for him. This story reflects on being kind to others regardless of how they might treat you.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madeline throws a tea party for the girls at Miss Clavel's. The bad hat from next door comes over and almost ruins it and gets kicked out. He feels bad about it. But Madeline brings him a slice of cake. Told in rhyme.

I still question whether Madeline is actually the main character.

[Alexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

classic madeline story. since it's a step 2 Step Into Reading book, would like to reintroduce it to Mave when she's at that level.

Liked the lesson about showing kindness even to people who are annoying.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to teach young children about manners.

[Jc · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many of the girl young readers love the Madeline stories. This one was no exception.

[Stasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madeline was my childhood hero.

[Mountain Lover · Rating 2 out of 5]

not really a favorite, spoiled brat ruins little girls bday party then still gets cake. my kids dont care for this one

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Madeline hosts a tea party at which Pepito behaves badly.

[Magen · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh Pepito

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect rhyme concise story pictures accompanying the lesson!

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ludwig Bemelmans published his first Madeline book in 1939. Since then, she has become an unwavering icon of children's literature. With these new easy readers, Bemelmans' grandson John Bemelmans Marciano is appealing to younger readers. In Madeline's Tea Party the tiny Parisian hosts a tea party. One guest, Pepito, is terribly rude from the moment he arrives (nearly an hour late). Pepito spits out the tea, breaks the dishes, and just laughs about it. An angry Madeline orders him to leave, and he is happy to--until he sees the large, delicious-looking cake being delivered to the party.

The vocabulary of the rhymed verses is simple enough for new readers to tackle, especially with the aid of clues from the illustrations, which look pretty much just like Bemelmans' originals. There is nothing spectacular or new here, but children who have been treated to Madeline read-alouds may be eager to give these a try.

Review copy provided by Penguin. (Thanks, Sheila!)

[Ong Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to learn about manners. And the standardized way of starting a Madeline story (from the original Ludwig Bemelmans books) does offer familiarity to a toddler. My boy loves this story and he would ask me to read it over and over. Although this is a level 2 book, there is a metaphor on feeling down, ie "cloud of gloom" and the accompanied by the illustration of a dark cloud over Pepito's head, which might be too advanced for very young kids. However, this is also an interesting way to introduce children to the use of metaphor as a figure of speech.

[L.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good one regarding manners, even for my not-yet 2- and 5-year olds.

Pepito is referenced as a brat, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about using that term. The girls aren’t calling him that in the story, so I just emphasized that we don’t call people names (something we’ve discussed), but the term “brat” helps us understand how we appear to others when we exhibit rude behavior.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madeline hosts a tea party in which the Bad Hat comes and spoils things. She is still Madeline though, meaning she forgives by the end of the story and shows her usual sunny spirit and bright way of handling things. Cute story, not the best in the series but still fun.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pepito is still up to no good.

[Stacia Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Madeline stories. The rhyming works for me and the story is simple and cute.

[C.G.Koens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book for early readers. Shows that unacceptable behavior has consequences, while grace is extended in the end. Not bad, all things considered.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because there was a cake and I like cake. I also enjoyed this book because I like Madeline books.