Sunshine: A Story About the City of New York

by Ludwig Bemelmans, Barbara Bemelmans (Primary Contributor)

First published in 1950, this classic picture book by the creator of Madeline tells the story of a music teacher and her crotchety landlord who will do anything for peace and quiet. Readers will meet Miss Moore, a sweet and eccentric older woman who moves into an apartment in New York City and, with the help of her students, outwits her landlord, Mr. Sunshine, when he tries to evict her after learning that she intends to run a music school in her apartment. Full of charm, umbrellas, and a little bit of Christmas Eve magic, Sunshine—as the 1950 publication states—is an enchanting tale with the “gentle touch of Madeline, as well as some thoroughly ridiculous situations. [It is] a unique guide to New York City, showing its landmarks as they could only be seen through the eyes of Ludwig Bemelmans.”


Perfect for fans of the original Madeline series, Sunshine will delight children and their parents, as well as visitors to and inhabitants of New York City.

Genres: Picture Books, New York, Childrens, Classics, Christmas

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Ludwig Bemelmans, Austrian-American illustrator, wrote books, such as Madeline in 1939, for children, and his experiences in the restaurant business based Hotel Splendide , adult fiction in 1940.

People internationally knew Ludwig Bemelmans, an author and a gourmand. People today most note his six publications to 1961. After his death, people discovered and posthumously published a seventh in 1999.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_...

Reviews

[Jeff Lewonczyk]

Okay, this story doesn't make a lick of sense - there's a reason this isn't as well-known as Madeline. But that's okay, because it's really about the pictures, which are glorious - messy, sprawling, gut-punchingly charming interpretations on mid-century Manhattan. This is definitely a top five Book-I-Would-Like-to-Live-In-Please.

[V]

Expected publication by Thames and Hudson: September 22, 2020
Originally published: 1950

Mom's Review
You might recognize Bemelmans's name and/or artwork; he created the Madeline books. He also wrote a number of books for adults, of which I have read The Eye of God (a 1949 publication set in WWII Tirol that is cringe-worthy by today's standards and eye-opening to read as an artifact of its time). Sunshine was originally published in 1950, and the two aspects that shine in its re-release are the notations that explain out-of-date language and an afterword by Barbara Bemelmans placing the story in context of of their family life. Be sure to read that afterword!

Mr. Sunshine is a discriminating landlord in Gramercy Park who will rent only to people whom he judges worthy. After rejecting many potential lessees, he finally signs with a little old lady who seems respectable and quiet. When he discovers that she runs a private music school out of her home, he endeavors to break the lease. His lawyer explains that this is illegal, and readers can enjoy a bit of schadenfreude as the nasty landlord stews in his misery. With the awkward rhyming reminiscent of Madeline and a loosely constructed plot that involves the music teacher accidentally buying 2,000 umbrellas, T and I have our criticisms. Nevertheless, T has asked for me to read it multiple times, which I am happy to do because I like Bemelmans's drawings.

Son's Review
(Age: 5)

It's related to Madeline. It's by the same author, and the pictures look the same like Madeline pictures. It's a good thing.

It didn't feel much like a story because it didn't have much. I thought it felt like a part of a story, but not like an actual story itself.

Note: A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Fatima Seraj Alam]

I wouldn’t classify this as a children’s read because what would my six year old know about renting, leasing, domiciles, etc? But she enjoyed the inclusion of the choir sheet towards the end of the book.

[Becky Loader]

I still love Bemelmans' stories and artwork, though this is not my favorite.

[Jane]

Sunshine was Bemelmans' love letter to the city of New York, particularly to the Gramercy park area, where he lived for many years (and died - at the National Arts Club). An animated version of the story was filmed in 1960: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJuMhy.... If anyone knows where the original art for this book is, let me know!
Now in 2020 Thames and Hudson have republished this long out of print title - a bright spot in an otherwise dark year. Don't miss the wonderful double-spread layout of Gramercy Park on Christmas Eve, all lit up and snowy, and keep your eyes out for a black Bouvier Des Flandres (that's Bosy, Bemelmans' dog) and a Yorkie (daughter Barbara's pet) who rejoiced in the name Kitty de Belvedere!

[Jolynne Dougherty]

The illustrations are lovely. The rhyme is difficult to read out loud in cadence. I appreciated Bemelmans' daughter sharing her insight. It made this homage to New York more easily understood on a personal level. I hadn't realized that Ludwig Bemelmans loved New York so.

Mr. Sunshine is a snobby landlord who will only rent his down-at-the-heels apartment to one whom he deems worthy. He finally finds a respectable older woman who fits the bill and has her sign on the dotted line. I enjoyed reading about the plucky heroine, even the heavens wanted to please her. And in the end, Mr. Sunshine has a change of heart in time for Christmas.

Originally published in 1950, it did not enjoy as much acclaim as Madeline, but I found the 2020 reprint a worthwhile read.

[Erin Buhr]

MADELINE is adored in our house so we were excited to discover this less known book by Ludwig Bemelmans. Much like MADELINE celebrates its setting in Paris, SUNSHINE is set in New York City. Spots around the city play a large role in the book and they are so much fun to spot if you know the city well. The story itself is fun too. It is about apartment dwelling and a preposterous number of umbrellas. Told in Bemelmans rhyming style and illustrated with his watery paintings, it is a delight.

[Judy]

Goodness! This one is worth buying for the illustrations, of course. The story is charming and of its time. And the New York setting is lovely. (The verse is just awful. Too uncomfortable to read. If reading aloud, I recommend you deliberately avoid trying to follow the rhythm and rhyme for a marginally better experience.)

[Mariah]

Nice to read a little treasure by the illustrious author of Madeline which had been undiscovered for more than half a century. For 50+ adults this book is a sentimental treasure, more so if the 50+ adult is from New York City. Otherwise, I do not recommend it for most children.

[Krista]

This was book was a Christmas present from my mom. Madeline was my favorite story as a child and New York is my favorite place in the world.

[CC]

Wow - I knew about Bemelmans in NY but I never knew of this love letter he wrote to it. Adored it.

[Isaac]

"I liked the pictures in this book." --Isaac, age 5

[Dorrie]

As magical as only a book by Ludwig Bemelmans can be! I always find the rhyming aspect of his work just a complete comfort and pleasure.

[Lindsay Diggs]

Not super crazy about the story itself, but those illustrations are, unsurprisingly, to die for.

[KerryT]

Not one of this author’s better works. But it is called the forgotten classic of 1950. I found this in a thrift store in Massachusetts. And I love his illustrations!

[Ross Treadway]

A little bizarre… A little clever rhyming…why not?

[Teri]

I love the Madeline books, so was curious to read this book by Ludwig Bemelmans. Found a used copy at the Festival of Books 2012.

It is a quirky little story, but I liked it and loved the illustrations and the mention of NYC landmarks. (There is even a simple quaint subway map). I also put it on my Christmas shelf since the holiday is mentioned near the end of the book. There is even the words and music to "O Holy Night."

[Neila Jacobson buday]

Read this at the Madeline exhibit at NY historical Society today. Think I liked it more than 12 little girls in 2 straight lines

[Annie]

Like peering into a time capsule! What a treat!