Customer Reviews

Mr. Peabody's Apples

5 star:		(61)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

Madonna's latest children's book, "Mr. Peabody's Apples," is both charming and refreshing. Madonna brings her unique style in telling the story of a small boy whose hero, his teacher and baseball coach, has seemingly fallen from grace. The childhood disappointment is described with an endearing reminiscent quality without being at all sentimental. The exercise Mr. Peabody gives to his accuser will shake the impulse to ever say a negative word about anyone to its very core. Loren Long's illustrations are exquisite. They remind me of the kind of illustrations I found myself pouring over and imagining about for hours as a child. "Mr. Peabody's Apples" will be appreciated by both children and adults alike for a long time to come. I look forward to the rest of the books in the series.

People should really forget it's MADONNA, the superstar singer, who wrote this book. Just read it. Madonna did come across as somewhat an unpolished writer on The English Roses but if Mr. Peabody's apples is anything to go by, Madonna seems to have found a new niche.

Beautiful illustrations by Lorent Long adorned the book but these aside, it's really Madonna's adaptation of a 3000-year-old styory told to her by her Kaballah teacher that works. In the ned, Madonna will achieve her goal of getting children to choose what they want to say carefully and not cause other people unhappiness. Words, they often cut like a knife. Madonna has a good storytelling approach, often straight to the point and coherent. Kids will relate most easily together with the pictures.

And this book is not only for children but adults alike who are often lost in the tussle of this mad world, so it'll be good something simple but yet so fundamental that few of us actually remember.

After reading all 34 reviews thus far, most people that have criticized this book have only made mention of one bad thing.... that Madonna wrote it. Okay, not all, but most.

I have had the opportunity to ask a few CHILDREN, whom the book is made for, on what they think of this book. The overall consensus is that they like it. The responses are that they liked the story, and the characters, and how people need to tell the truth.

I find it incorrect and sophomoric to label the book as "bad' just because of the vendetta some people have against Madonna's other career initiatives. For some reason, she still has a lot of fans out there who are listening-not to marketing, but to what she is talking about. She may have a point, if you listen. The marketing was to get your initial attention I'm sure. After that, be sure to listen to the rest of the message!

I for one am in awe that she attempted something so different and applaud the efforts. BUT, I would be a hypocrite if I started talking about just Madonna and not the book itself.

It's like talking about Kerouac and judging him on his music videos, if he indeed started a musical career (apples--no pun intended-and oranges really). So I say, the book is not the greatest in children's writing I've seen, but I can tell research has been done, and an effort has been made to make a point-a strong point to tell the truth and be the best you can be. It flows, is well structures and serves a purpose of old idealisms.

Children like it, whether I like it or not. They like it, and if they like it, well, it's good that the book was written. Stop picking on the artist, and pick on the work.

This book I couldn't wait to read since I loved the English Roses book so much. It came to my house and luckily the girl who introduced us the Madonna's first book was over so I gathered the girls and my 4 year old son and read them the book. It was such a good book and they were so interested in why Mr.Peabody would be stealing apples. Before you know it everybody in Mr. Peabody's town thinks he is a thief! I won't give it away but there's a lesson on why the rumors are so hard to take back once they are out there and how damaging they could be to a person. A lesson well told and well learned (hopefully).

Madonna aims her second book at the young man's market, where the main charactor, Mr. Peabody is the local school teacher who also coaches baseball during the weekends.
The local boys have so much fun in the little league games that they do not notice the long losing streak they had been having.
Then one day, Tommy Tattletale spies Coach Peabody taking a shiney apple and did not observe payment of the fruit.
Gossip begins in this wee little town.
Next thing you know, the town has turned against Coach Peabody, all due to a misunderstanding.
The moral of the story is as old as apple pie:
Nobody likes a tattle-tale because tattles can bring a fine, upstanding person to ruin.
I liked the goosefeather metaphor; like so many feathers floating in the breeze, it is easier to slander a person than to restore their tainted reputation.
Boys will like this tale, and it gets to the point quickly.
Lorent Long was commisioned for his beautiful illustrations that help to tell the story....I'm glad Madonna used the baseball analogy --- it's bound to capture young hearts and teach a valuable lesson to boot.

Mr. Peabody's Apples tells the story of a beloved teacher whose reputation is ruined by a rumor started when a young boy believes he sees the teacher steal an apple. When the truth comes out, the young boy feels terrible especially when he realizes how difficult it is to take back something once it's been said. Not only is Mr. Peabody's Apples a lesson in choosing one's words carefully but, as in Madonna's first children's book, a lesson in not judging other people because one may not have all the facts the person's situation. The story is easy to read with a sweetness that avoids being sappy. Madonna's no-nonsense storytelling is a delightful departure from the many patronizing stories out there that insult a child's intelligence. Madonna doesn't try to hide the lesson in the story but writes it clearly into the events of the story without sounding preachy.

The illustrations found within this book are beautiful and remind me of some early 20th century American artists. I am sorry to say that Madonna's writing is uninteresting and ...well...not childlike. Children love image and humor in word but Madonna's story is as dry as last weeks' Twinkie crumbs. A more clever choice of words and story line would go a long way in doing justice to this ancient morality tale. This book reads like a command from your Mom to do your homework...it just ain't fun.

Madonna uses her words so wisely. She is amazing at everything she does. This book can teach anyone who reads it. Her deeper knowledge of her love for her kids, herself, her husband and universe really shines. Kids will love it, adults will love it. Awesome illistrations!!!!

This book is another treasure. The main message is of course, the power of our words, but Madonna has managed to weave some other subtle yet poignant messages in there as well. (like how the boys don't care that they didn't win their baseball games, they just had so much fun playing - to enjoy things for what they are & appreciate the moment, not just for the end product or outcome) Quite an achievement for a relatively short story. The Illustrations are just incredible - they are rich and have a timeless quality, almost like a modern Norman Rockwell feel. The final Illustration of the pillow has so much meaning even without words - show it to your kids & ask them what they think it is saying! : ) I look forward to the rest of the books in this series - judging from "The English Roses' and now this one, I'm sure they will be just as special. I'm buying copies for my nephews, cousins etc... : )

I'm a long time Madonna fan, and what's interesting to me about her work is how multi-layered it is, if you go to her concerts, you can take them on so many levels, as pure entertainment, great music, a big spectacle - but every show I've seen has SO many subtle messages & layers that unfortunately go unnoticed by most people & especially the media. But they are there nonetheless & that's just part of what makes her a true artist. The only reason I mention this is that it is so interesting to see that this layering & attention to meaning & detail is also so evident in her childrens books. I just hope more people see it!

This is a great story about the damage a rumor can cause. This is something too many kids never learn. I'd love to see more stories like this. The illustrations are fantastic. Is it really that hard to separate this work from the author's past? It seems to me that all of the bad reviews are really past judgements. I give this book a thumbs up!