The English Roses

Rating:
Summary: The Beautiful English Roses
Review: This a classic story of friendship that was cleverly written by Madonna.
I think this is a must-read for children of all ages!!!!!!
The story is ultimately about judgment. And how often times we do judge others without really knowing anything about them. I think that is a great message to teach our youth. Perhaps, we adults need to be reminded as well.
Most of the reviews for this book are positive contrary to what you may read on here.
I purchased the book even though I was skeptical. I could help but think, "What does Madonna know about writing children's books?" I was pleasantly surprised.
This truly is a charming story with wonderful illustrations.
Furthermore, Madonna does not profit from sales of this book. All profit goes to a children's charity.

Rating:
Summary: quit being so hateful and rude!!
Review: i quess you readers out there that said this book was bad obviosly didn't get the meaning of the story and don't forget that it was written for children and not just for adults. i personally enjoyed the book and my daughter who is 4 1/2 liked it too. I hope that it will become a book that will teach her good values in life and be nice to everyone no matter what. i liked it.

Rating:
Summary: An old classic story
Review: The English Roses, Madonna's first book tells about friendship between young girls. Four young girls called The English Roses are best friends. Yet they feel jealous with Binah because people always adore her. One night, they dream of a fairy who asks them to take a look closely to Binah's poor daily life. They begin to change their mind about her and make friends with her.

The story about such friendship is so classic but yet the colorful illustration is enjoyable.

Rating:
Summary: Lovely book for little girls.
Review: I read an earlier review which said the book talks down to the reader, and to this I say, yes, it does. . . if you're an adult, and this book is not meant for adults. It is meant for children, and children, and given the subject matter little girls in particular, will be charmed. In her debut as a children's book author, Madonna demonstrates charm, humor, warmth and compassion, and the message basically boils down to not judging a person before you know them. The illustrations, while perfectly suited to the tone of the book, quirky and inspired, just aren't really my taste. They look like pen and ink outlines, painted in with watercolor, and watercolors have never been one of my favorite mediums. But that's really just a personal thing. Don't buy this book because Madonna wrote it, buy it because it's good.

Rating:
Summary: Save me from celebrity "writers"
Review: This book is ridiculously bad. It reads like a story that a parent would make up on the spot to get their child to stop throwing a fit at the grocery store. Madonna has said that she thinks there are no good children's books now, but has she ever looked around in a book shop? There are TONS of good books. Hers is not one of them. The last pages states, "I didn't make this up." Yes she did. OF COURSE she did. It has a fairy godmother in it, and the audience is supposed to believe that it's true? Argh! The illustrations are okay, but the illustrator doesn't even get mentioned on the cover because Madonna's ego is so big that there's no room left over. ARGH!

Rating:
Summary: IT WAS ALRIGHT
Review: THIS BOOK WAS OKAY FOR A FIRST STORY FOR MADONNA. I'VE READ BETTER ONES TO MY YOUNG ONES. I THINK THE STORY COULD OF BEEN BETTER BUT MY KIDS LOVE IT.

Rating:
Summary: Something for everyone (big kids and small)...
Review: Madonna's first outing as a children's author isn't great, but it's pretty darn good. The narrative voice and story are pure Madonna (albeit in her British mode) and the story is one children young and old can relate to. The illustrations are colorful and eyecatching, but a little too busy for my tastes. I much prefer the illustrations in "Mr. Peabody's Apples," Madonna's follow-up. Still and all, this is an attractive package and a worthwhile addition to any child's (or grown-up child's) collection.

Overall, a credible and very promising start to Madonna's new persona as author.

Rating:
Summary: Book For Children Loved by Children
Review: This book, first of all, is written for children. It is not intended for adults who are slavish to the life of Madonna, the musical star, to enjoy. It is for mothers to snuggle up with their children and begin a story about a little girl who is made fun of. A little girl who has no friends because she different.
It also adds the element of super-surprise by the introduction of a Fairy God-mother...something most little girls (and probably some little boys) wish they had! The story allows the question (as many fairy tales do NOT), who asked the "princess" in the story what she wanted? Did she want to be married and live happily ever after? Did she just want friends to enrich her life? The book involves the reader by "talking to them". This technique is used by many children's authors...Kate Dicamillo uses it in The Tale of Despereux. Children love it...and as stated, The English Roses is a book written for children. It is delightful and loved.

Rating:
Summary: Not too bad for a first book
Review: We got the book at costco. My five year old daughter was immediately captivated by the illustrations. The illustrations are whimiscal and give a hint of an english setting. I don't know why these two people below gave it a bad rating. I enjoyed reading the book with my daughter. It is very female oriented and shows that we should always take consideration of other people. We should not always have the attitude that just because they are more beautiful than us, that they must be successful. My daughter and I had a good discussion after we read the book. She said that she didn't want to treat others like that or judge people based on their looks. We should always treat others like we want to be treated as the motto goes. Madonna just wants to share with you how she feels at times when people treat her the way they do just because of her celebrity status. Don't even think I'm saying these things because I'm partial to her. I'm not. I read whatever books offered out there and I happened to come across this book. I would have purchased it even if the author wasn't Madonna. It doesn't even matter either since I am profoundly deaf in both ears since birth and I am unable to hear music at all whasoever, so there is absolutely no bias at this point. Madonna, if you're reading this at all... keep up the work. Take advantage of your celebrity status to be an example to young children worldwide and write books about learning, sharing, and most of all loving. Julie Ann Lanz [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Meaningful lesson in a beautiful package.
Review: I think Madonna knew what she was doing when she published this story meant to appeal to school-aged girls. Inside this beautifully illustrated package (that all 7-9 year old girls will ooh and aah over) is a very meaningful lesson, which the reader can easily relate to. I know my daughter will enjoy the story and the details of each illustration.