Madame Badobedah – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Madame Badobedah

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2019

94%

WISE Score

Think Eloise at the Plaza, but with a British seaside vibe and a secret-agent twist.

Madame Badobedah

book

2019

94%

WISE Score

Think Eloise at the Plaza, but with a British seaside vibe and a secret-agent twist.

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Screenwise Verdict

Madame Badobedah is a modern classic. Sophie Dahl (yes, Roald Dahl’s granddaughter) clearly inherited the 'get how kids think' gene. It avoids the manic energy of a lot of modern kids' media, opting instead for a whimsical, slightly mysterious, and deeply cozy atmosphere.

It’s the kind of book you keep on the shelf because it looks good, but you actually pull down because the story is genuinely engaging for both the adult reading it and the kid listening. No brain rot here—just high-quality storytelling and art that respects a child's intelligence.

Age Fit

Perfect for 5 to 9-year-olds. It’s sophisticated enough for second graders to read themselves but works beautifully as a read-aloud for younger kids who can sit still for a longer story.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It centers on a beautiful, evolving friendship between a curious young girl and an eccentric elderly hotel guest. It models empathy and moving past initial prejudices.

Imaginative

The protagonist, Mabel, treats her life like a spy mission. The book celebrates the way children turn mundane reality into high-stakes adventure.

Safe

100

Zero concerns here. It’s a gentle, illustrated storybook with no objectionable content or scary themes that aren't quickly resolved by friendship.

Enriching

Excellent for vocabulary building and emotional intelligence. It teaches kids that old people have rich, adventurous histories worth hearing.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The illustrations by Lauren O'Hara are stunning—retro, detailed, and worth the price of the book alone.
It bridges the gap between short picture books and chapter books, making it a great 'grow-with-me' read.
The story validates a child's sense of adventure and curiosity without being patronizing.
It features a genuinely touching intergenerational bond that isn't sappy or forced.

⚠

What to Watch For

Mabel does quite a bit of 'spying' and snooping, which might need a quick chat about privacy if your kid takes it too literally.
The book is longer than a standard 5-minute bedtime read; expect to spend about 15-20 minutes if you do the whole thing at once.

Conversation Starters

"Why did Mabel think Madame Badobedah was a jewel thief at first?"
"If you were a 'guest adventurer' at a hotel, what kind of secrets would you look for?"
"Do you think Madame Badobedah's stories about her past were all true, or was she using her imagination too?"
"What’s something surprising you’ve learned from talking to a grandparent or an older friend?"

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