Rating: 
Summary: Better than her last
Review: "Mr Peabody's Apples" generally makes more sense from a storytelling standpoint and from a children's marketing standpoint than Madonna's first "children's book." The message of "Mr. Peabody's Apples," isn't quite what Madonna and the publicists would have you believe. It isn't so much about "the power of words" and choosing one's words carefully, as it is about not jumping to conclusions and the destructive power of rumors. It's a message _related_ to "the power of words," sure, but if Madonna is so bent on teaching lessons, shouldn't somebody be taking care to make sure the flap copy is more accurate about what lesson is being taught? Lessons in children's books = argh. Apart from that, the parenthetical asides have got to go. The repetition isn't cute and isn't working. The tone shifts ("Mr. Funkadeli"?) have really got to go. Also, the two separate characters of Tommy and Billy aren't needed. A real writer would have had all the conflict come through Billy. OK. Nitpicking over. If one can overlook its flaws, this is a simple story with characters that are more satisfying than the ones in Madonna's last book. Gentle, reasonable Mr. Peabody is especially appealing. The way in which the Message is delivered -- with a pillowcase full of feathers -- is memorable and not embarrassingly heavy-handed. The real star of this book, however, is Loren Long, the illustrator who didn't get so much as a cover credit. Mr. Long's vivid paintings, with their deep shadows and nostalgic light, perfectly capture the story's small-town setting. If Madonna keeps on her current course, by the time her children's-book-writing contract is up, she may yet turn out a book I can get behind. And that would be something. Until then, I'll enjoy looking at the pictures.
Rating: 
Summary: She's done it again!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Not Original
Review: Madonna is so talented. Why should she take from the masters and rewrite a story? I think her heart is in the right place, but how easy can retelling a story be? I'd stick to the original storytellers and buy books such as, Lakas and the Manilatown Fish, Drum, Chavi, Drum!/Toca, Chavi, Toca! and anything by Sandra Cisneros. Your kids deserve the best!
Rating:
Summary: Madonna Does It Again
Review: "Mr. Peabody's Apples" is the second edition in Madonna's series of children's books, following her successful "The English Roses". As usual, she showcases her highly creative side, making her book unique. She incorporates a story from the Kaballah religion, making it her own. She places herself in the stories with her writing without physically being in the story. Such theme gives joy to more than just children. Many adults will love it as well. The storyline teaches a lifelong lesson that'll always be useful. Those who want to discover this lesson must read the book. Loren Long's painting for the illustration are beautiful. They give the book the added enjoyment. Everyone will be highly entertained while reading. "Mr. Peabody's Apples" will be a collector's item in the near future as it deserves. Look for the other three editions to her series to be released in the near future.
Rating: 
Summary: Mr. Peabody's Apples
Review: After reading several of the other reviews, I felt that I needed to give mine. I am a librarian at a school. I was not going to purchase any book authored by Madonna for my library, because I felt that she was not a good roll model for children. We then had a book fair at our school and I had the opportunity to read the book. I loved it, not only for the recommended reading level, but for all levels. I thought the story was thought provoking. One reviewer said that it was unrealistic to have a general store and people that prepay for groceries. Well, I go to one everyday in my small rural community. So they do still exist. I will be buying this book with my own money and donating it to the library.
Rating:
Summary: Could have chosen better title
Review: Not reviewing the book, but pointing out that given Madonna's propensity for innuendo or explicitness (you know what I mean), she could have chosen a better title for a children's book than "Mr. Peabody's Apples." How about a simple change like "Mr. Peabody and the Apples?" Or was this a Madonna/Freudian slip?
Rating: 
Summary: Ma-snore-onna
Review: Hey Mommies and daddies! If you really want an excellent bed time story, read this! This story is guarenteed to put any child to sleep as fast as you can say LEMMONY SNICKETT. I am a kids librarian, and this even put me to sleep! I mean, this is a lot better than her English Roses disaster. I am not saying that she is a bad writer. This is an interesting version of an ancient fable, but she is too wordy. Children cannot comprhend (...), so what makes Madonna assume that they can understand her text? The illustration makes up for her story. Inspired by Norman Rockwell, and Edward Hopper artist Loren Long is a remarkable talent. The art work brings Madonna's characters to life and makes the reader feel as if they are in the midwest during 1949. I would like to see this illustrator publish her own art work in a book. It would make an excellent coffee table book.
Rating: 
Summary: Saved by the artist
Review: Otherwise I wouldn't bother rating it at all. Im my opinion, another awkwardly-written story intended for children but falling wide of the mark. I don't think that even in the late 1940's, people visited a greengrocer to pre-pay for one apple then arrange to return later that day to pick it up. There was no explaining these bizarre actions (how could you??). An important messages to children wasted by a ridiculous plot twist. What will she come up with next.
Rating:
Summary: children are not stupid
Review: a publisher with any inegrity would never have taken on this bad book. or the first one. i would bet if this had been done by anybody else, it would never have been published. i think the artwork is horrible, anorexix children and a lot of cheesey-nees throughout. this is just a matter of taste of course, but i also don't understand why any illustrator with a reputation would have taken on this daft book and have their name forever connected to this.
Rating:
Summary: Good moral to the story, Fabulous Illustrations
Review: As the title says, this story has a good moral to it, which is always good for teaching children. It is the fabulous illustrations that really make it a beautiful book to own.
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