Customer Reviews

The Adventures of Abdi

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

"The Adventures of Abdi" explores the short but fulfilled journey of Abdi and Eli. Abdi is a young child that has been "raised" by Eli, and Abdi has admired him greatly since he was a toddler. Many people worldwide consider Eli the greatest jeweler in the world; therefore, many travel thousands of miles for their purchases and services. After Eli is ordered by the king to make the most precious necklace for the queen within an unusual short period of time, his philosophy becomes very crutial: "everything that happens is for the best." Abdi then learns more about that quote.

"The Adventures of Abdi" is Madonna's forth children's book release in her five-set edition. As the others, this book shares a lifelong lesson relating to the Kaballah religion. This is great reading not just for kids but also for adults. The subject matter proves that Madonna is like no other author. Her writing skills have greatly evolved since she wrote her first edition "The English Roses". She uses words in a fun order that takes readers to the land that the characters walk. Her unique style continues to expand. Such quality proves that Madonna has mastered more than dance music.

Olga Dugina and Andrej Dugin illustrate these paintings beautifully. The use of color and dimension takes readers deeper into the storyline. They truly look like a land long time ago and far away as the story suggests. The designs and the beige tones give these paintings a more ancient effect that blends more with the story. Every detail keeps the artists unique. The cover art gives a great introduction to this great book.

"The Adventures of Abdi" is a great book for more than Madonna fans and those who practice Kaballah. This is sure to please a variety readers. Those who like this book are also recommended Madonna's other three editions: "The English Roses", "Mr. Peabody's Apples", and "Yakov And the Seven Thieves". All express different messages relating to Kaballah. Fans should also watch for her fifth and final edition "Lotsa De Casha" to be released in the near future.

This book was much better than my preconceived notions allowed it to be. When I read on the cover that the author was called Madonna I immediately went to the back jacket to verify that she was in fact Madonna the singer and "Material Girl."
The context is in the Muslim area of Central Asia and the lead character is a little orphan boy named Abdi. His guardian is a master jeweler named Eli, an old family friend that treats Abdi well. Abdi's tasks include working in the jewelry shop by greeting customers and sweeping up.
One day an important man came in and asked Eli to create a magnificent necklace for the queen in time for her upcoming birthday. Eli pleads for more time but the man is unyielding in his insistence. After the man leaves Abdi expresses his frustration to which Eli says, "... everything that we have been given in life is for the best."
By working day and night, Eli and Abdi are able to complete the necklace in time. Due to his age and frailty, Eli is unable to make the journey to the king's palace so he sends Abdi alone. This begins a series of great adventures for Abdi as his faith that things will work out for the best is put to the test. After a series of trials, Abdi and the suddenly appearing Eli are able to dazzle the king and queen and receive a commensurate reward.
The writing her is very good and the illustrations are lightly colored and very expressive. You must look closely to see and appreciate all of the objects in them. For example, the following all appear in the image where the queen is donning her necklace:

*) A feathered hat topping that has the body of a parrot and the head of a lion.
*) A small deer-like creature that is wearing a small sword and has the head of a man.
*) The king is wearing a mammoth bulbous hat almost as large as he is.

A fairly serious book about persistence and belief, Madonna proves that her talents extend to writing children's books.

I knew Madonna had penned children's stories, but was very much surprised and pleased by the quality of her writing. She does a great job of engaging the reader while leaving room for mystery and imagination. The primary reason I purchased the book however, was for the incredibly beautiful illustrations. Such richness of textures and whimsicality isn't seen much anymore. Each and every illustration is a world of its own, begging for exploration and discovery.

Great idea for a book, just poorly planned. When writing a book based on a culture that uses a language with which the author is not familiar, an accurate translation is pretty important. In Arabic, "Abdi" literally means, "my slave." It is not a name, just a title for one who is literally owned by another. I really can't imagine what Madonna was going for here. The name "Abdullah" is common in Arab culture, however has a very different meaning; "slave of God." What may have been a simple translation mistake, transforms what would be a fun-filled children's book, into a story of child slavery and servitude. Whoops!

I HAVE BOUGHT ALOT OF MADONNA'S BOOK FOR MY NIECES AND THEY LOVE IT FOR THEIR COLLECTIONS. THEY KNOW WHO SHE IS AND THEY ACCEPT HER MY NIECES ARE 10 AND 7

MADONNA#1

Modonna did it again. I am collecting her Children's books and have enjoyed this one as much as the others. ENJOY

This is Madonna's 4 Childrens book. It is about a young boy named Abdi who worked for an old man named Eli who owned a jewerly shop. Eli made small gems given to him by customers into more beautiful things like diamonds. People thought he had a special powers because he was so talented. He also taught Abdi important things about life. One day Habib had heard of Eli and the wonderful things he made from less pretty things. He gave Eli a necklace made of stones and said it needed to be be made into something more beautful for the Queens birthday. Eli had 4 weeks do this before the deadline. Abdi and Eli worked very hard because they did not want to dissapoint the King. The necklace was finsished but it was told it had to be delivered right away. Eli was old,tired, and weak and Abdi with some hesistance took over and went on a journey to the King and Queens Palace to deliver the beautiful necklace Eli had made.

At night Abdi was tired and had stopped to sleep and 2 men stole his precious necklace. Abi was not aware of this until he had reached the kingdom. He opened the bag but instead of a beautiful necklace and snake fell out of it.

Poor little Abdi was thrown in jail with the snake. Abdi eventually even became friends with snake. He always remembered what Eli said no matter what happens in life it all happens for a reason and to truely believe in it. Eli came and got Abdi out of jail and reassures the King that the snake is not poisonous and once the snake is put on the Queen it would magically turn into a beautiful necklace which it did. Abdi was greatly rewarded for this and he himself later became a jeweler.

The moral of the story is that we get given tests in life which we may not like. We also learn from these tests that we should never give up no matter how bad things may get because all things do eventually happen for a good reason. This is a valuable lesson that everyone not just kids could learn from. I enjoyed reading this book and it provoked a lot of thought in me. There are also some very nice illustrations in this book but a lot of the pages have 2 different rectangular prints at the top and 2 different retangular prints at the bottom for more space for writing.