Little Listeners Enjoy The Tales Of Madeline

A few of the kids were shy at first.

And one little girl in braids looked almost scared. She didn’t want to have the back of her hand stamped with a purple “Madeline” stamp.

But by the time Sheri Boggs started reading the fourth book - “Madeline in London” - they all chimed in and helped her say the familiar opening lines.

‘ “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. The smallest one was Madeline.” ‘

It sounded like singing.

The occasion was a “Mad About Madeline” party in the children’s department at Auntie’s Bookstore Saturday morning. Call it a gentle sales promotion or a low-key salute to the Ludwig Bemelmans series enjoyed by generations of children, the event had one key thing going for it - Boggs. She’s great. Peppy without being phony, she knows how to deal with little kids. And she doesn’t get flustered if someone gets up in the middle of her reading and wanders off to check out a nearby copy of “How Many Trucks Could a Tow Truck Tow?”

Perhaps because it was sunny and lots of other things were going on downtown, turnout was small. A half dozen kids and a couple of moms sat on a short flight of carpet-covered stairs. But Boggs, ensconced below in a black upholstered chair, showed no signs of disappointment. She loved the “Madeline” series when she was little. And Saturday, you could see that she still does.

Reading with spirit and just the right animation, she proved once again that it’s tough to beat a good reader reading a good book.

Boggs stopped after the first slender volume and announced that Madeline was right there in the store. Everyone counted to three in French and beckoned her. “Madelinnnnne!”

Into the children’s department strode a person in a big head-to-toe costume. The get-up included a huge yellow hat, a bright blue coat, white gloves and a big, round, smiley Madeline head.

“Hi, Madeline,” said a boy with four cowlicks who looked like he was about 5.

The girl in braids who didn’t want her hand stamped seemed on the verge of terror. The woman with her noticed and, referring to the walking costume, whispered “She’s kind of scary.”

But soon enough, the Madeline character departed. “Now we’re going to do ‘Madeline and the Bad Hat,’ ” said Boggs.

“I know that one,” said the boy with the cowlicks. “It’s good.”

The little girl in braids smiled. She scooted down a step, to get closer.

‘ “In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines….” ‘

, DataTimes MEMO: Being There is a weekly feature that looks at gatherings in the Inland Northwest.