Madlenka

Book Title: Madlenka

Author(s): Peter Sís

Illustrator: Peter Sís

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Copyright Date: 2000

Genre: Picture Book

Brief Annotation:

Madlenka’s tooth is loose! And she wants everyone to know about it. She runs around her neighborhood in the heart of New York City to tell her neighbors who are from everywhere. Mr. Gatston, the baker, is from France, “Bonjour, Madeline. Let’s Celebrate!” Mr. Singh works at the newsstand, “Sathsariaskal, Madela. Good news!” As Madlenka introduces you to each character, you fall into the cultural mosaic that forms New York City, and Sís does a fantastic job of giving the reader a glimpse of each culture.

Your Rating (1-5) and why:

5 – The writing is fun to read aloud because there’s a nice rhythm and pattern to it. And the illustrations are fun and playful as Madlenka runs from one neighbor to the next. Sís illustrates and describes each neighbor in a same sort of patterned style along with a cut out which gives the reader a hint as to what is going to be on the next page. A beautiful book!

Readers who will like this book:

Children who just lost a tooth, readers that want to get a glimpse at a New York City

neighborhood, and readers being introduced to Peter Sís. There isn’t much writing, but plenty to see on each page, which makes for great participation during a read aloud.

Yopp & Yopp p. 132:

Literary Borrowing

Following Sís’s illustration structure, have the children create a picture about the people in their family, neighborhood, soccer team, etc.

Be sure to include the fun little cut outs that Sís uses to give the reader a hint about what is going to be on the next page.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

Do you know all of the people who live in your neighborhood?

Does your neighborhood ever get together for parties?

Were they all born here in the USA?

1. Interest Level (age): 5

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 1.3