Rating: 
Summary: Great illustrations, good moral, poor writing.
Review: The greatest contribution to this book is the illustration done by Loren Long. The artwork is wonderful and inspires me to seek out more of the artist's work. If I were able to split my rating, I would give the illustrator 5 stars. It's Madonna's writing that merits the single star. I was already familiar with the folk tale which "inspired" Madonna's story so I found her rendering of the tale to be very awkward, ham-fisted and clunky. The entire story hinges on the incredibly contrived and implausible premise that Mr. Peabody would visit the grocer each Saturday morning and pre-pay for an apple which he would pick up later. He was then observed later in the day picking up the apple, placing it in a bag and walking off giving his observers the impression that he had stolen the apple. I guess carrying the apple off when it was paid for rather than having to come back later only to carry it off would make a lot more sense, but then we wouldn't have a premise (albeit it an unbelievably sloppy one) to hang the story's conflict on. The story lacks any degree of subtlety or finesse. Puzzling over how to establish that it is windy, Madonna opts to have Mr. Peabody blurt out,"It's a windy day isn't it?" when the fact already would have been obvious to the boy and that the results of the life lesson he was about to learn with the feathers in the pillow would have obviously demonstrated it as well. Madonna's heavy-handedness will not allow us to ignore the size of Happville and its' streets, (they're not very big) Billy Little's size (he's not very big, thus living up to his weakly punned name) and the attitude of the baseball team, (They didn't win but didn't care because they had fun.) none of which really drive the plot line of the story. A well-crafted story (whether it be for children or adults) should be intelligent and establish a flow where each element of the story gently propels the reader to the desired conclusion. I find this story lacking on both counts. I can't fault the moral taught in the story, but a good moral doesn't necessarily make the story in which it is taught, a good one. With ever tightening budgets and the wealth of wonderful children's books available today, your money would be much better spent elsewhere than on "Mr. Peabody's Apples".
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing effort on Madonna's part
Review: I thumbed through this book at Target and to my dismay, I found my attention wandering to twinkling ornaments or to the cry of a forlorn child. The writing was dull and uninspiring leaving me bored and tired. The illustrations were nifty though, which dampened the overpowering reek of a celebrity attempting to generate more cash through pathetic endeavors. The moral of the story is an awesome one, yay for the fantastic lesson of how destructive gossip can be, but Madonna does a poor job of "retelling" the ancient lesson. I found this book was not worth the time spent leaning on a rickety stand at the store with odiferous people swarming about and so I do not recommend it unless you like to stare at illustrations for that is all there is, really, to praise in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: great lesson for children of all ages (even grown up ones)
Review: Madonna amazes once again with a brilliant story, just as important for adults as it is for children. My son loves the book and my nieces can't stop asking their uncle to read it again. What's so great is we discuss the story afterwards and my child remembers the lesson in his daily life. Bravo to Madonna for breathing life into children's books.
Rating: 
Summary: Stars for the Illustrator who is not mentioned on the cover!
Review: Shame on Madonna!!! The only reason this book has the feel that it does is because the illustrator has wonderful sensitivity and style and uses her talent to make a warm and terrific book to look at. And because of Madonna's gigantic ego, the illustrator's name is left off the cover,...one would conclude that Madonna would like the world to think that she created the whole feel of the book. Please give us all a break and give credit where credit is due! PUT THE ILLUSTRATOR's NAME ON THE COVER, you ego maniac!!!!! This Illustrator has a look that is reminisant of Thomas Hart Benton. That makes for a heartland look that is comfortable and warm. Not to mention a pleasure for the eye.
Rating: 
Summary: Pay attention to the book
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Illustrations...Bad Writing
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Meaningful Story
Review: I had some reservations about purchasing this book and The English Roses as christmas presents for my niece because I am not much of a Madonna fan. However, as I read the book myself I was very impress with her style of writing and the art work. The story has a meaning that all children as well as adults could learn from.I am looking forward to her future writings.
Rating:
Summary: Just so-so
Review: This book is just so-so. (The same goes for The English Roses.) There are so many nicer children's books. I've read the other reviews, and most of the positives seem to be from people who were Madonna fans to begin with. If the book wasn't written by 'Madonna', I have to wonder whether it would have been published at all.
Rating:
Summary: Madonna' s widom shines
Review: Taking a lot of creative flack from many is unfounded, it was Madonna herself who created the whole Peabody project, she orchestrated the whole thing, from her fabulous story line and superb illustrator Loren Long to the publishing company that put it all together, this book is a smash hit all the way, her star now shines in another galaxy. Forget she's a performer and read the message.
Rating:
Summary: A tremendous children's book with beautiful illustrations
Review: This book told such a meaningful, impressive story that everyone in my family has understood. Even my four-year-old daughter likes this story. The illustrations are incredible and really make this book as strong as it is. Loren Long is such a talented artist. He really expressed the written words through his art in this book. I plan to seek out more of his work. Great book. Great story. Great illustrations. Great lesson for all of us.
| 
