Madeline's Rescue
by Ludwig Bemelmans
Picture book · ages 4–8 · grades K–3 · 650L · 56 pages · 1981
Why we'd hand it over
Bemelmans' masterpiece—the rhyming narrative, ink-and-watercolor Paris, and emotional restraint (Madeline doesn't win the dog; the dog chooses) make this a rare picture book that respects children's capacity for bittersweet feeling.