Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) is the author of a enchanting series of books whose main character is a little girl named, Madeline. All the stories are told in rhymes, that don't always stop on a dime.

Each story begins, now lis-ten "In an old house in Paris, that was covered with vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines... the smallest one was Madeline."

The girls are cared for by Miss Clavel, who dresses like a nun, what a fable!

Books three, four, and five, there's more... "In another old house that stood next door, lived Pepito, the son of the Spanish ambassador."

The first story ends... (as do the 1990's television shows, my friends) "That's all there is, there isn't anymore.

There are six books in the series, my dearies:

1. Madeline, 1939: Madeline gets her appendix out; Not to worry, she's brave and stout.

2. Madeline's Rescue, 1953: Madeline rescues a dog; Or is it the other way around? dear God! What more? Winner of the Caldecott award for 1954!

3. Madeline and the Bad Hat, 1956: The "bad hat" Pepito, Is the Spanish ambassadors bambino; who moves in next door; Oh, what antics are in store!

4. Madeline and the Gypsies, 1959: Madeline and Pepito have an adventure, At a gypsy circus, and become indentured, while Miss Clavel goes berserk-us!

5. Madeline in London, 1961: Pepito moves to London, and Madeline and the girls go to visit him, what fun done!

6. Madeline's Christmas, 1985: Everyone in the house has a cold, except Madeline, I'm told. (First published in McCall's in 1956).

If you read these books, you'll grow up to be a poet, even if the world doesn't know it.