In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines the smallest one was Madeline. Nothing frightens Madeline--not tigers not even mice. With its endearing courageous heroine cheerful humor and wonderful whimsical drawings of Paris the Madeline stories are true classics that continue to charm readers even after 75 years! It s the night before Christmas and everyone is sick in bed. All except brave Madeline who is up and about and feeling just fine. Taking care of eleven little girls and Miss Clavel is hard work but when Madeline finds help from a magical merchant the girls embark on a Christmas journey that will surely make them forget their sniffles and sneezes. Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was the author of the beloved Madeline books including Madeline a Caldecott Honor Book and Madeline s Rescue winner of the Caldecott Medal.