Rating: 
Summary: The English Roses
Review: I mistakenly trusted Madonna and bought this book after only flipping through. As a mother of two daughters, I have now hid the book so it is not chosen for our reading time. I find it full of all the wrong messages..beauty as the focus attribute, jealously and envy as part of a child's everyday existence, social clique acceptance. These combined with the condescending technique of scolding the reader and assuming the reader's thoughts and comprehension make the book an insensitive, insulting and shockingly irresponsible effort from a person I previously and consistently admired as an artist and mother.
Rating: 
Summary: Worriyingly autobiographical
Review: Some may argue this 10 minute read is too heady a departure from Madge's first book "Sex", and that she's perhaps abandonned her earlier loyal readership.It may also be missed on some readers that Binah, the beautiful girl next door who the English Roses ignore through jealousy of her beauty, could be seen to be based on Madge. Binah and Madge both lost a mother at a similar age. Happily, Madge has now settled in England and the English Roses (Stella McCartney et al) have now had a chance to warm to her errrr charm. Who can deny that now they've accepted each other they're all going to grow up to be Stars?
Rating:
Summary: Poor
Review: This is a weak, unimaginative book that comes across as an amateur offering at best. In fact, my eleven year old niece has written more engaging stories in her English assignments. It's a basic story with flat prose (a pretty little girl is ignored by her peers because they're jealous of her looks. In steps a fairy godmother to show them that the girl's life is actually quite sad, so they should be nicer to her). This book seems to be too basic for the age-group it's aimed at (i.e. the 'peer' age of the girls in the story of 8+), yet it's probably not pertinent enough for children who tend to have picture books read to them. In my experience most toddlers are content to interact with all children (in fact younger kids invariably gravitate towards the more aesthetically pleasing of their peers). The book also skips the issue of how children ought to treat beautiful peers who don't have dead mothers. I thought that you were supposed to be nice to people no matter what. This book seems to say, okay, the kid's prettier than you but hey, be nice, her mom's dead. This is a one-dimensional offering that simply doesn't cover the real issues of jealousy and ostracism. It also seems to ignore the fact that, in today's world, it's the plain, overweight children who are usually left out. All in all, it's pretty terrible.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring to the eyes and ears!
Review: I am a Kindergarten teacher and happened by this book in the store...The cover alone with such amazing artwork drew me in to look within the binding. The story is simply written and again the artwork is awesome. My 'kids' love it!
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Written
Review: I personally loved this book. I am expecting my first granddaughter sometime this month and cannot wait until she's old enough to enjoy. It's creative and beautifully written. It lifted my spirits and made me happy. I felt like a little girl again. I've ordered Madonna's second book and will indeed collect all her books.
Rating:
Summary: MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE
Review: In all my years of teaching children and reading books, I have never come across a children's book so impressive. The message, illustrations and the fact that Madonna can affect all readers is an amazing accomplishment.
Let me just say to all what Madonna is doing here...She is trying to make this world a better place and she's starting with the children. The grown-ups will also be inspired. She loves her children so much that she's willing to put any profits,critcism and risk even her music career to change the world for the better.
This is just the beggining. Wait until you see the rest!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Story!
Review: My daughter and I enjoyed this story together. I listened as Michelle read it to me. A fabulous way for moms and their children to spend an evening together! I thought Madonna did a fantastic job on her first book and hope she has many more just like "THE ENGLISH ROSES" in mind for the future. I am happy to recommend this book on Madonna's behalf!!!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully Written, a Delightful Surprise
Review: I suspected that this might be just another Madonna product... and yet, I'm a fan. So, I picked it up at the grocery store and read it and was delightfully surprised! I found a good-looking story told in what sounds like Madonna's voice. Journalism school preaches: Write What You Know and Show, Don't Tell. I think the book hits all the marks. The narrator is humorous and never talks down to the audience, the story is cute but certainly not sappy, and the artwork is lively. I am impressed that Madonna dedicated the story to her children, used her husband's surname in her biograpy, and will send all her profits to children's charities. I highly recommend this to parents and children - I plan to purchase all of Madonna's children's books now.
Rating:
Summary: The English Roses
Review: I was impressed with this book. I cannot wait to take it home to my children and Girl Scout troop - Way to Go!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent!
Review: After reading all the reviews below me, I was compelled to write one of my own. Why is it that almost everyone before me has judged this book solely based on the fact that Madonna is the author? Would you have given it a better review if she had used a pen name?
I found the book to be light-hearted and well-written. A good first attempt by a woman who has solely been guided by her passion for music and free expression for the past two decades.
Don't forget her words to Dick Clark (?) - "to rule the world."
She's done it all and if she wants to write, so be it.
We all have the ability to be whatever we want, so why belittle her now as she takes up writing?
Would you want to be slaughtered on your successful ride to fame?
Madonna tells an excellent story of what every girl (and boy) goes through during those first traumatic years of childhood. The illustrations leapt from the pages, as did the words. At some points, I didn't appreciate how straight forward the narrator was, but that's expected in a first attempt. We all try our best to put the best foot forward.
Give it a chance in a bookstore. It's a light 40 or so page read that you'll find delightful as a gift to yourself or anyone else you think might enjoy it.
It also makes a great bedtime story for your child or those you might be babysitting.
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