Mr. Peabody's Apples (Hardcover)

by Madonna (Author), Loren Long (Illustrator), Loren Long (Author) "IN THE TOWN OF HAPPVILLE (which wasn't a very big town), Mr. Peabody was congratulating his Little League team on a great game..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
With Mr. Peabody's Apples, her gorgeous sophomore venture into the realm of children's literature, Madonna sustains her transformation from material girl to mom. Inspired by a 300-year-old Ukrainian story and illustrated by the talented Loren Long, Madonna's tale is about the dangers of gossip. As a frequent target of the rumor mill, who better to teach the young ones about the "power of words" and their potential to cause "harm to others" than the newly reformed diva?

Set in a tiny American town, Madonna's story features the big-hearted and much beloved Mr. Peabody, an elementary school teacher and Little League coach who dedicates his summer Saturdays to the local losing team. The kindly teacher seems to savor life the way he savors his weekly apple--taking pleasure in the little things. One weekend after the game, Tommy Tittlebottom watches Mr. Peabody take his apple without paying for it. The following weekend Tommy calls in reinforcements to witness Mr. Peabody's transgression. By the next Saturday, Mr. Peabody's apparent theft has become grist for the Happville rumor mill and no one comes to Little League practice. These moments truly highlight Long's talents as an illustrator--the handsome Mr. Peabody (part Harry Connick Jr., part Robert Redford) comes to life on the page, his disappointment as palpable as that of Billy Little, the young boy who idolizes him. A simple explanation puts the rumors to rest, but as Mr. Peabody points out in a poignant demonstration, small talk can often lead to big trouble for everyone.

In a wonderful departure from her debut children's book The English Roses, Madonna has created a tribute to 1940's small-town America that delivers a fundamental message about respecting others. Children will love Mr. Peabody and parents will appreciate the gentle nudge with which he delivers his message. Mr. Peabody's Apples unfolds slowly, but readers young and old will want to linger over each illustrated page lovingly rendered in a muted pallet of rich color. --Daphne Durham

From Booklist
K-Gr. 2. Was it only last month [BKL O 15 03] that the first of Madonna's children's books, The English Roses, was reviewed? This second offering is an improvement, perhaps because the story isn't hers. The 300-year-old tale from Hassidic master Baal Shem Tov has a strong message, though Madonna's telling is amateurish. Set several decades back, it begins with Mr. Peabody congratulating his Little League team. They have lost, but they had fun! On his way home, he grabs an apple from the fruit market, and Tommy Tittlebottom notices that Peabody doesn't pay. One child tells another, and soon everyone thinks Mr. Peabody is a thief, not realizing that he's made prior arrangements. An apologetic Tommy visits Peabody, who instructs the boy to cut open a pillow and then gather the scattered feathers. Of course, it's an impossible task, just as it's impossible to undo the damage done by the rumors. The heavy-handed text is tempered by wonderful art reminiscent of Norman Rockwell's work, but exaggerated and more richly colored. Illustrator Long is the real find here. Two Madonna books down, three more to go. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Callaway; First Edition edition (November 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670058831
• ISBN-13: 978-0670058839
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (102 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #135,055 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 2 in The Madonna's Children's Book Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars IMMACULATE EDITION, November 11, 2003

By	Chaz Macrina (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

48 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Apples, November 13, 2003

By	Dogville (Sunny Island) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pay attention to the book, December 15, 2003

By	Thomas J Amman (Long Beach, CA) - See all my reviews

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.