
Bemelmans' grandson is carrying on the family legacy with the first new Madeline book in nearly 50 years. Madeline and the Cats of Rome find Miss Clavel and her charges escaping the dreary drizzle of Paris for the bright skies of Rome. The story and artwork are very true to the original series and I was pleased to be able to share it with Roo.

Award-winning toy company Kids Preferred has launched a special collection to celebrate Madeline's 70th birthday. There are plush versions of Madeline and Genevieve, plus additional outfits and my personal favorite, the Talking Madeline Doll (a Toys R Us exclusive!).

This huggably-soft 17" Talking Madeline Doll says four phrases in both French and English. Roo's kindergarten class is learning French so it seemed like a particularly auspicious time to introduce her to Madeline. She likes practicing her French with Madeline and she has already surpassed the horrible accent I learned as a freshman in college. (Roo suffers the same brain lapse in the video below that I had in an oral exam cassette I came across recently… eek!)
To enter and win your own Talking Madeline Doll, please comment on this post with your favorite Madeline memory.
Entries will be accepted through December 2nd and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.
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Disclosure: we received a free copy of Madeline and the Cats of Rome and a Talking Madeline Doll to facilitate this review and giveaway, mes amis.
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