Ludwig Bemelmans was a painter, illustrator, and writer for both children and adults. His Madeline book rank among the most honored children's book series. Madeline was named a Caldecott Honor Book, and the first of its five sequels, Madeline's Rescue, won the Caldecott Medal and was a New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year. Mr. Bemelmans died in 1962, after completing Madeline's Christmas. Visit penguin.com/madeline.