The English Roses

Well-known entertainer Madonna makes her debut as a children's book author with the first in a series of five entertaining books, each based on a different set of emotions. Now a mother herself, Madonna says that she was inspired by her Kabbalah teacher to share with children some of the insights that she gained in her Kabbalah work. Parents may find plotting about a fairy godmother and a lonely girl also seems like well-tread territory, but at least the girls acknowledge it ("'She reminds me of Cinderella,' said Amy"). Likewise, the message about inclusion is a fairly familiar one -- though it is age appropriate for the 6+ kids this book targets.

As illustrated by fashion designer Jeffrey Fulvimari, the characters are wide-eyed, skinny, and fashionably dressed -- a bit like Bratz dolls. Parents might object to their slouchy, skinny-body, big-eyed fashion-model look -- and it's certainly worth addressing -- but it is eye-catching art that works well with the often sassy narration ("Have you ever been green with envy?...If you say no, you are telling a big, fat fib and I am going to tell your mother.") Also, it may help early elementary kids making the transition from picture to chapter books feel like this is a book for THEM.