ChuckD
The Gay Lord of Freestyle
If someone had told me that the woman who recorded an album titled "Erotica" and a book titled "Sex" was going to release a children's book, I would never believe them. However, Madonna's released her first children's book (1st in a series of 5) called "The English Roses".
It's actually gotten very good reviews. Here's the story:
In The English Roses, four little girls (Nicole, Amy, Charlotte and Grace) "play the same games, read the same books, and like the same boys". They all are horribly jealous of Binah, the perfect, beautiful, smart, kind girl who lives nearby, and they purposfully exclude her from their clique.
One night, however, the four girls all have the same dream that sets them straight. A fairy godmother sprinkles them with fairy dust and takes them to spy on Binah. They see that her mother has died, and she lives alone with her father, slaving away night and day at household chores, while the four girls get to play.
They learn that while Binah is not to be pitied, she's also not to be envied, and they decide to treat her nicely.
This morality tale is nothing new under the sun, but it is cleverly told, with many teaspoonfuls of good humour. Jeffrey Fulvimari's illustrations are no less than stunning, filling every page with vivacious black ink lines and gorgeous watercolour reminiscent of 1960s fashion sketches. Children will enjoy this don't-hate-me-because-I'm-beautiful story that celebrates friendship as much as it teaches compassion. It's recommended for ages six and above. --Karin Snelson
It's actually gotten very good reviews. Here's the story:
In The English Roses, four little girls (Nicole, Amy, Charlotte and Grace) "play the same games, read the same books, and like the same boys". They all are horribly jealous of Binah, the perfect, beautiful, smart, kind girl who lives nearby, and they purposfully exclude her from their clique.
One night, however, the four girls all have the same dream that sets them straight. A fairy godmother sprinkles them with fairy dust and takes them to spy on Binah. They see that her mother has died, and she lives alone with her father, slaving away night and day at household chores, while the four girls get to play.
They learn that while Binah is not to be pitied, she's also not to be envied, and they decide to treat her nicely.
This morality tale is nothing new under the sun, but it is cleverly told, with many teaspoonfuls of good humour. Jeffrey Fulvimari's illustrations are no less than stunning, filling every page with vivacious black ink lines and gorgeous watercolour reminiscent of 1960s fashion sketches. Children will enjoy this don't-hate-me-because-I'm-beautiful story that celebrates friendship as much as it teaches compassion. It's recommended for ages six and above. --Karin Snelson