Ludwig Bemelmans

Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) was an painter, illustrator, and the author of a series of books (which he also illustrated) whose main character is a little French girl named Madeline. All the stories are told in rhymes.

Each story begins: "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 a nun, Miss Clavel. Other characters include Pepito, son of the Spanish Ambassador, who lives next door; Lord Cucuface, owner of the house; and Genevieve, a dog who rescues Madeline from drowning in the second book.