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The Orphelines #1
The Happy Orpheline
When the girls of the French orphanage visit the dog cemetery, Brigitte gets left behind and has an adventure with a woman whose husband is a pretender to the French throne.
97 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1957
208 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Savage Carlson
53 books57 followersNatalie Savage Carlson was born on October 3, 1906, in Kernstown, Virginia. After she married, she moved around a great deal as the wife of a Navy officer, living for many years in Paris, France.
Her first story was published in the Baltimore Sunday Sun when she was eight years old.
Her first book, The Talking Cat and Other Stories of French Canada (where her mother was born), was published in 1952. One of her best-loved books is The Family Under the Bridge (1958), which was a Newbery Honor book in 1959. Many readers will remember her series of Happy Orpheline books about a group of French orphans and their carefree lives.
In 1966, Ms. Carlson was the U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen International Children's Book Award.
Materials for fifteen of her novels are held at the Children's Literature Research Collection at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ms. Carlson lived in Rhode Island, Oklahoma, California, the Pacific Northwest, Florida, and abroad. She died September 23, 1997, in Rhode Island.
Her first story was published in the Baltimore Sunday Sun when she was eight years old.
Her first book, The Talking Cat and Other Stories of French Canada (where her mother was born), was published in 1952. One of her best-loved books is The Family Under the Bridge (1958), which was a Newbery Honor book in 1959. Many readers will remember her series of Happy Orpheline books about a group of French orphans and their carefree lives.
In 1966, Ms. Carlson was the U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen International Children's Book Award.
Materials for fifteen of her novels are held at the Children's Literature Research Collection at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ms. Carlson lived in Rhode Island, Oklahoma, California, the Pacific Northwest, Florida, and abroad. She died September 23, 1997, in Rhode Island.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 24, 2017
4.5 stars, we really enjoyed this story of a happy orphanage for girls. Refreshing to read about an orphanage that is happy, like a family and has loving carers the girls see as mothers. Many elements of the book seem to have been inspired by the Madeline books, when we checked we saw they were published only a few years before. I wonder what Bemelmans thought of that!
This story made an excellent read aloud, lots of action, expression, humour and doing a french accent for the girls already very animated voices really made the story come alive. We enjoyed the addition of lots of dogs to the story, these were beautifully illustrated throughout the book with some lively line drawings.
We enjoyed reading about their epiphany celebrations at the start of the book. We are always torn whether to add kings and camels to the nativity scene when we take it out so they can be there for Christmas or leave them to their proper day! The orphelines are good and wait, and their tradition of king or queen for a day sounds lovely and great fun for children.
We are looking forward to reading the others in the series.
This story made an excellent read aloud, lots of action, expression, humour and doing a french accent for the girls already very animated voices really made the story come alive. We enjoyed the addition of lots of dogs to the story, these were beautifully illustrated throughout the book with some lively line drawings.
We enjoyed reading about their epiphany celebrations at the start of the book. We are always torn whether to add kings and camels to the nativity scene when we take it out so they can be there for Christmas or leave them to their proper day! The orphelines are good and wait, and their tradition of king or queen for a day sounds lovely and great fun for children.
We are looking forward to reading the others in the series.
June 25, 2021
My sisters and I first discovered this vintage series in our small local library when we were kids. It is about a group of girls who live together in an orphanage in France. They are cared for by the kind and pragmatic Madam Flattot as well as by her young assistant, Genevieve. The tone of the story is warm and humorous--the “orphelines” are happy together and have the sort of adventures that any child could imagine befalling herself. In addition, the author throws in enough French words, expressions, and cultural attitudes to provide a nice bit of color.
I like vintage children’s books, but as an adult I can see why a few parts of this story made my mom uncomfortable. When young Brigitte gets lost, a rather crazy old lady takes the little girl to her dingy apartment and tells her to clean it. Soon the lady declares the intention of adopting her. Brigitte doesn't want to be adopted, so this problem provides the plot with a bit of tension. I can see why this setup bothered my mom. Modern parents certainly do not want lost children going home with strangers! (And, yes, I did pause in reading aloud to clarify these with my own kids).
This is--obviously--more the sort of a story a child might make up than one most adults would consider fully “correct.” I am happy to accept it on those grounds. In fact, I have a pretty strong affection for the entire series.
I like vintage children’s books, but as an adult I can see why a few parts of this story made my mom uncomfortable. When young Brigitte gets lost, a rather crazy old lady takes the little girl to her dingy apartment and tells her to clean it. Soon the lady declares the intention of adopting her. Brigitte doesn't want to be adopted, so this problem provides the plot with a bit of tension. I can see why this setup bothered my mom. Modern parents certainly do not want lost children going home with strangers! (And, yes, I did pause in reading aloud to clarify these with my own kids).
This is--obviously--more the sort of a story a child might make up than one most adults would consider fully “correct.” I am happy to accept it on those grounds. In fact, I have a pretty strong affection for the entire series.
December 27, 2016
This review also appears on my blog, Read-at-Home Mom.
In an orphanage in a French village live the orphelines, a cheerful group of little girls who prefer to live with each other and their caretakers Madame Flattot and Genevieve than to be adopted by families. Brigitte, the happiest of all the orphelines is the one for whom the book is named, as most of the story occurs in her point of view. One day, while out on a group trip, Brigitte becomes separated from the rest of the orphelines and finds herself in the company of a self-proclaimed queen. Brigitte just wants to go home, but the woman, who insists that her husband will one day assume the French throne, wants to adopt Brigitte and employ her as a servant.
This delightful book is a true gem. It introduces readers to two settings that are not often represented in American juvenile fiction - an orphanage and France - and it portrays a surprisingly sunny view of life as an orphan. The large group of girls living together calls to mind the Madeline series (though Madeline is not an orphan), and I think this book would be a perfect first chapter book for girls who have loved Madeline during their preschool years. (The cover image shown here- which is not the cover on my edition - suggests the same thing!) The tone and quality of this book also shares much in common with short novels by Johanna Hurwitz, Beverly Cleary, Carolyn Haywood, and Maud Hart Lovelace, and the story feels timeless rather than outdated.
Also noteworthy are the illustrations, which are done by Garth Williams of Charlotte's Web and Little House fame. His drawings give faces to the characters which perfectly match their personalities and they also provide much of the details of the streets of Paris that provide the backdrop for Brigitte's adventure. Among the best images in the book is the scene on page 63 where Brigitte rides on the back of the Queen's bicycle, her braid and limbs scattered every which way as she hangs on for dear life, while the old woman's face remains serene and slightly unbalanced-looking. This illustration almost tells a story unto itself.
Girls with adventurous spirits will be pleased to follow Brigitte in her struggle to return home, and they will wish hard for a happy ending for her. Because of its almost exclusively female cast, this book would also make a possible good choice for a mother/daughter book club. There are a total of five books about the orphelines, but I only own three of them right now. Coming soon are my reviews of A Brother for the Orphelines and The Orphelines in the Enchanted Castle.
In an orphanage in a French village live the orphelines, a cheerful group of little girls who prefer to live with each other and their caretakers Madame Flattot and Genevieve than to be adopted by families. Brigitte, the happiest of all the orphelines is the one for whom the book is named, as most of the story occurs in her point of view. One day, while out on a group trip, Brigitte becomes separated from the rest of the orphelines and finds herself in the company of a self-proclaimed queen. Brigitte just wants to go home, but the woman, who insists that her husband will one day assume the French throne, wants to adopt Brigitte and employ her as a servant.
This delightful book is a true gem. It introduces readers to two settings that are not often represented in American juvenile fiction - an orphanage and France - and it portrays a surprisingly sunny view of life as an orphan. The large group of girls living together calls to mind the Madeline series (though Madeline is not an orphan), and I think this book would be a perfect first chapter book for girls who have loved Madeline during their preschool years. (The cover image shown here- which is not the cover on my edition - suggests the same thing!) The tone and quality of this book also shares much in common with short novels by Johanna Hurwitz, Beverly Cleary, Carolyn Haywood, and Maud Hart Lovelace, and the story feels timeless rather than outdated.
Also noteworthy are the illustrations, which are done by Garth Williams of Charlotte's Web and Little House fame. His drawings give faces to the characters which perfectly match their personalities and they also provide much of the details of the streets of Paris that provide the backdrop for Brigitte's adventure. Among the best images in the book is the scene on page 63 where Brigitte rides on the back of the Queen's bicycle, her braid and limbs scattered every which way as she hangs on for dear life, while the old woman's face remains serene and slightly unbalanced-looking. This illustration almost tells a story unto itself.
Girls with adventurous spirits will be pleased to follow Brigitte in her struggle to return home, and they will wish hard for a happy ending for her. Because of its almost exclusively female cast, this book would also make a possible good choice for a mother/daughter book club. There are a total of five books about the orphelines, but I only own three of them right now. Coming soon are my reviews of A Brother for the Orphelines and The Orphelines in the Enchanted Castle.
November 25, 2007
The happy orpheline is a girl named Brigitte who lives in a French village with nineteen other orphans. They are cared for by Madame Flattot and Genevieve. The orphelines are very happy together - unlike orphans in American stories being adopted and removed from their happy family is the worst thing imaginable.
This is the first in a charming series.
This is the first in a charming series.
April 22, 2010
I remember my brother and I laughing our fool heads off when Dad read this book to us. We loved the Orphelines. We waited till our library retired the series, and bought them for fifty cents each or something outrageous like that - but it took until I was twenty or so. A long, but worthwhile wait.
August 1, 2022
This is not the usual kids' book. I appreciated the chance to peek into the life of a French child. Even better, this describes a real cemetery in Paris. How refreshing to read about some place other than the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Louvre!
April 25, 2016
I remembered this book from my childhood so when I saw it on a shelf at the library I had to pick it up and reread it. I loved it just as much through my adult eyes as I did through my childish ones. I don't remember the sequels but I will pick them up to read now.
November 29, 2022
An adorable middle grade book that is similar to Madeline, but has a charm and style all its own. I fell in love with the quirky illustrations and the story is very French (in the best way). Everyone at the orphanage (including the little girls) and amusing, caring, good-hearted and so sweet. It's easy to get drawn into their little world and love Mama France. I can't wait to read more!
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December 12, 2017Quick revisit to a favorite from my childhood
December 4, 2018
In the polarized world of today, I feel like this book series is "too moderate," and people would dismiss it not because "the story is gentle" or "it's too old-fashioned, short and slow" compared to what people want today, but because each "side" would think it represents the "other side" too much. So stories like this one show why it could be a good thing if people would come back together again; you can have family and as much of a traditional family atmosphere as possible represented as the best option, at the same time that you can be soft-hearted and give children a say, and make life better for the masses and classes; you can expect children to obey for their safety and well-being, and you can also have adventures sometimes and laugh at life; you can believe the state should be respected as a respectable institution, and that respect should be for real people that make up the state, as well as for the institution itself and what it stands for, at the same time you don't need to make the state the high and mighty all. You can have standards and traditional expectations of why males and females and their roles should be differentiated and treated each according to their needs, and also let children interact together and do what they like to do, without worrying about extremes in any direction.
did-not-finish
November 3, 2021This looks like a fun little story, but I decided that I’d rather not own it. Here’s why: At the beginning of this book, an orphanage worker tells a story to the twenty little orphan girls in her care. The story is about a sweet little poodle who had braids and blue bows in her hair…who choked on a bone for five minutes and died.
Now, we live in the country, and I don’t shield my kids from the reality of animal death. When the cat kills a rabbit, or a baby bird falls out its nest on our porch, we just talk about it matter-of-factly, and my kids handle it pretty well. But I’m not a big fan of animal death in kids fiction, especially if it’s a beloved pet. My 12 year old adores dogs, and I know from experience that if she reads about dogs suffering or dying, she’ll cry for an hour and then be depressed for a whole day. So, this book is not for us. It may be just fine for other families, though, if the kids aren’t as sensitive to that topic.
Now, we live in the country, and I don’t shield my kids from the reality of animal death. When the cat kills a rabbit, or a baby bird falls out its nest on our porch, we just talk about it matter-of-factly, and my kids handle it pretty well. But I’m not a big fan of animal death in kids fiction, especially if it’s a beloved pet. My 12 year old adores dogs, and I know from experience that if she reads about dogs suffering or dying, she’ll cry for an hour and then be depressed for a whole day. So, this book is not for us. It may be just fine for other families, though, if the kids aren’t as sensitive to that topic.
July 24, 2023
I remember seeing this book on display at my school library in the 1960s, but the cover never inspired me to pick it up. Carlson was of course born in the US so she's quite happy inventing her own "France" with a few French words and the more obvious pieces of "French culture" of the time such as the horsemeat butcher, baguettes and the green crosses on pharmacies. At least she avoided remarks on people smelling like garlic! (Which they don't and didn't.) Having lived in Europe for the past 40 years, I can see the joins.
Another reviewer refers to this as a "vintage children's book" and I suppose to her it is. I guess that makes me an antique!
Another reviewer refers to this as a "vintage children's book" and I suppose to her it is. I guess that makes me an antique!
October 22, 2020
This is a very sweet story of a happy French orphenage home. I found two scenes interesting to note with my kids - first, one girl who gets separated from the group goes home with a lady who says she will take care of her, and when she gets there, she is put to work as a maid, so it is a bit of a cautionary tale of going with strangers, and second, there are two scenes where a group of people are discussing where fault lies within a situation they don't like, and the rumors fly with several people repeating incorrect information.
October 14, 2024
A childhood favorite. Brigitte is the title Happy Orpheline>, living with nineteen other orphans in a village near Paris. The girls are so happy in the orphanage that no one wants to leave it and be adopted. But when they make an excursion to visit a dog cemetery, Brigitte misses the bus home and has an adventure of her own.
August 10, 2023
My old book, has St Chad's address in, poor condition, lost the publishing page
"This story, as gay and happy as its title, is splendid for reading aloud to 5-6 yr olds and good for 7's and 8s to read to themselves"
"This story, as gay and happy as its title, is splendid for reading aloud to 5-6 yr olds and good for 7's and 8s to read to themselves"
March 25, 2020
Nice cozy story. Quite a frightful adventure our happy orpheline had. Wonderful illustration!
May 23, 2022
I just love all of Natalie Savage Carlson's books. They bring me back to my childhood oh so long ago. I wish I could read all of them but most are impossible to locate or are way too expensive!
January 25, 2021
Adorable story!
January 31, 2024
Little Brigitte lives with 19 other orphan girls (orphelines) in a wonderful orphanage in Saint Germaine, France. Madame Flattot and Genevieve take very good care of the girls. They are very happy, and hope they will never be adopted. It would be so lonely! Genevieve often tells the girls stories. The story about her god-mother's dog, Zezette, is the one they like best. The girls hope that some day they can go to the Asnieres to see Zezette's grave. On Epiphany Day, Brigitte finds the bean in her piece of cake. She is queen for that day and commands that Madame Flattot allow Genevieve to take the orphelines to the dog cemetery in Asnieres. The girls enjoy their excursion, but as they leave the cemetery Brigitte lets go of Yvette's hand so she can look at a gravestone shaped like a dog house. When she is done looking, the other orphelines are gone. She runs out of the cemetery in time to see them getting on the bus without her. Brigitte is all alone in Asnieres.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
April 25, 2008
This was such a sweet kids book that I read more than once as a child.
December 14, 2009
Oh how I yearned to be a happy "orpheline" like Bridget!
September 11, 2016
Orphans who all want to stay together. Visit to dog cemetery has dire consequences.
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May 29, 2014x2
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews