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49 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspirational message for children, November 17, 2004
This review is from: The Adventures of Abdi (Hardcover)
As with the previous 3 books for children by Madonna, this is a book with a message, and meant to inspire children. There has been some criticism of these books, by people thinking that she is trying to recruit youngsters into her faith, Kabbalah. That simply isn't true. Yes, the stories are (very) loosely based on some of the stories and teachings you may hear when studying Kabbalah, however the link is very slight. If you know nothing of Kabbalah, you wouldn't question the books content at all.
This book concentrates on the power of certainty, and achieving your goals against all obstacles, by following the story of a young child called Abdi on his quest to deliver a priceless necklace to the King for the Queens birthday. Along the way he encounters difficulties which at the time appear that his journey will be in vain.
Now I ask you, what more would any parent want to teach their children? All of Madonna's books have covered such inspirational and positive subjects - and this 4th book is no exception. To accompany the story, are some truly stunning and remarkable pieces of artwork, which makes this (and indeed the whole set) book really special.
Forget that this was written by 'Madonna' the pop star, and concentrate on the fact that it was written by a mother of 2 who wanted her children to read positive books that could have nothing but a positive effect on them.
Surely every child deserves that!
Good for kids from about 5-6.
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24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for children and adults., December 19, 2004
This review is from: The Adventures of Abdi (Hardcover)
Forth book in a five set edition. Much like first 3 books this one is beautifully illustrated and is aimed to share a positive message with its readers.
This is a story of a young boy Abide who's taken in and raised by a greatest jeweler - Eli. As Abdi sets of to deliver a priceless necklace to the queen crafted by Eli, he has to overcome a lot of obstacles and learn a valuable lesson: "Everything that happens is for the best".
This is a fun and very well written story that delivers a very important message to children. And let's face it - reading it did not harm a 33-year-old like myself either.
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20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Kudos to the Illustrators, September 12, 2005
This review is from: The Adventures of Abdi (Hardcover)
I have looked at and read 3 out of 5 of her books in a local bookstore. I have to agree with another review I read that summed up the teaching of English Roses as "Don't hate me because I am beatiful." and as for Abdi I would have to say you could sum up the teaching by saying, "Because I said so! That is why." It never dealved into the teaching of "certainty" or why "what we are given is for the best". I never found that connection made in the writing that would gently unfold an understanding of what she is trying to share. It mostly just leaves one with no connection but that it just somehow all works out. In all children's stories there is an element of parenting from the writer/teacher/storyteller that illuminates the magic of what it is they are teaching. I feel like I am be told a story by a slighly angry nun that wants me to just not ask questions and just accept what she says! Now! It leaves me feeling like an orphan in a catholic orphanage. Madonna herself did not have the parenting she needed growing up, she shared that in her Truth or Dare film.
Abdi does not even feel like a child. There is nothing about him in his experience of childhood other than... she added in much mention about how Abdi needed to find a restroom... Well that is one more thing children can relate to.. "I gotta go!" & "Because I said so!" hmmmm.. would you not like your children to have a deeper meaning not to mention understanding than that? I am disapointed in her publishers for not challenging her to develope what could be an adventure but only left me thinking, "huh? wait a minute let me reread this! You mean there is no teaching in here other than, if your famous you can write anything even if you don't really understand it."
I also noticed that the artwork is some of the most colorful and grabbing work, I guess that is one way to compensate for poor story developement, is she that scary no one could bother to ask more of her at the publishing house. Maybe they just figured what the heck! We'll make money off of anything she does she is famous! I want to buy a second hand copy, block out all of the text and write a story I would enjoy so that all of the imaginative artwork does not go to waste. Now that would be fun.
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