Rating: 
Summary: Great illustrations, simplistic moral, awkward writing
Review: First, I worked in a children's bookstore for years so I have read plenty of children's stories. Second, of those many stories, I've read many celebrity -written children's books. Talent in one area (despite what celebrities think) does not translate to all areas.
The story is of 5 pick-thin, well-dressed girls who decide to snub a sixth girl merely because she is beautiful. It's hard to believe that not one of them would have the moral sense to have a good reason to hate her(that would have been an interesting angle but alas, no). It's interesting because on the one hand they claim Binah (the beautiful one) gets plenty of attention and yet it turns out that Binah is a virtual slave for her father so how is it she gets lots of attention? Madonna is not one for consistency.
The wording is awkward and somewhat repetitive. (Madonna claimed on Oprah that her 6-year daughter was her editor - that explains a lot). The narrative jumps from a narrator to a fairy godmother who jumps on a sandwich. And the moral just hits you over the head. Poor Binah has no mother, her father has her in a garrot when she not scrubbing the house and she has no friends. But the girls realize the error of their ways and become her friends. With slow-witted girls like these, it's not much consolation.
Don't hate Madonna or Binah because they're beautiful - let's just hope that the promised 4 more tomes from Madonna are better edited or written.
The English Roses has one big plus - beautifully rendered illustrations. I think many celebrities (like Jamie Lee Curtis) get a big boost from great illustrations (although Jamie Lee can write rings around Madonna).
In short, there are many better books out there about envy, friendship and learning about someone before you judge. Pass on this one.
Rating: 
Summary: The illustrations are museum-quality and the story is good
Review: Girls will love the story of the one excluded girl and how she is eventually welcomed into the popular group. What I love about this book, which I bought for my niece, is the artwork. The girls are drawn in black ink and filled in with watercolor in a funky, modern way by a Japanese artist. Each page is colorful and interesting to look at. Besides that my niece thought it was very cool that the book was by Madonna!
Rating: 
Summary: Who does she think she's fooling?
Review: Here is the queen of trash music and tramp behaviour. Sex, sex, sex for decades and now she wants to play moral with the kids? Don't let your kids take a lesson from the queen of sleeze.
Rating: 
Summary: Madonna surprises with endearing book for all ages!
Review: I am not a big fan of children's books, because I find that most of them do not reach audiences of all ages.With that said, Madonna's first children's book "The English Roses" is just a fantastic book. It is a story about four girls who are envious of a girl named Binah, because they feel that she has it all. Little do they realize, until a fairy godmother's intervention, that Binah keeps to herself because she is lonely after her mother died. It's a story that speaks to children on many levels, touching on the issues of a) social ostracization that is plaguing so many classrooms today and b) children who lose their parents at an early age. As many reviewers have commented, long-time fans of Madonna, adult and child, can appreciate this book as they can understand where Madonna gets that drive of hers. You see, Madonna lost her mother at an early age too, and has commented regularly in interviews that she works hard to make her mother proud. The story-telling is very simple and Madonna adds her trademark humour and wit, actually engaging the young reader in discussion (ex. "Listen, I already told you that..." "No silly, that's not what I meant..." something along those lines). The illustrations are fabulous. Always one to think outside the box, Madonna consulted a fashion designer to illustrate this book, and kids and adults alike will love the trendy, hip and colourful drawings. At the heart of it all is a moral: never judge anyone by the cover. Madonna has been judged and heavily criticized all her life, and I recommend that before you judge this book based on the cover and the author's name...don't. Pick it up and see for yourself what a beautiful tale the queen of pop, and emerging auteur, has crafted.
Rating:
Summary: Way to go Madonna
Review: I bought this book for a gift, but I read it before I placed it in the giftbox. I love the pictures but even better the story. I felt that this book is a great addition to any children library. The pictures are really beautiful and the message is one in which every child can relate to. I couldn't believe that such a great book was written by the "material girl". Way to go Madonna, and I can not wait to read the next books in her series.
Rating:
Summary: Not a bad story, delightful pictures
Review: I don't care for Madonna, as an artist or as a celebrity. HOWEVER. I am glad that I gave this book a chance based on its own merits rather than letting either her fans' or her detractors' opinions decide for me. Turns out, she's a reasonable writer (3 stars) and the illustrator, J. Fulvimari is outstanding (5 stars). Average the two together and you have a four star picture book for girls.
The story: a clique of four popular schoolgirls known as the English Roses are jealous of a little-miss-perfect beauty named Bindah. Sweet Bindah has no friends and is often lonely, but everybody praises her so loudly that the English Roses decide that she doesn't need their friendship. They ignore her and shut her out. One day, a fairy godmother comes to them in a dream and shows them what is really going on in Bindah's life, who must cook and clean for her father at home because her mother has passed away. Now the English Roses are convicted for their behavior and must decide if their jealousy was worth their bad treatment of this girl.
In my opinion, the premise of a saintly, beautiful girl having no friends is a little thin, even laughable (I mean come on, how often does that really happen in our looks-worshipping culture? Much more likely that a homely girl would end up lonely in my school). Still, the moral of the story - do not judge people on their appearances - is a good one. Better still, the colorful pen illustrations by J. Fulvimari transform what would have been a humdrum tale into something very pretty and whimsical. (I wonder how many other first-time children's authors score such a top-notch illustrator?)
I had a hard time deciding what age range this book was aimed at, as it could have been a picture book for the primary school girls or a reader with great illustrations for secondary schoolchildren. I decided that I would recommend it for either.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle.
Rating:
Summary: Two Thumbs WAAAAY Up for the Roses!!!
Review: I had stashed this book away for a Xmas gift for my 6 year old daughter but took it out early as she was experiencing some "clique" difficulties at school. We both enjoyed the story and the lessons taught. She was able to comprehend the moral of the story and we've discussed, at length, the meaning of the book which is "all is not as it may seem". The illustrations are timeless and beautiful as is the story. A definite must read for all school-aged girls. It's a wonderful way to have a snuggle and a story with your daughter. Thank you, Madonna, for a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Requested by my young friend
Review: I have a young friend, age 8 who was requesting this book for Christmas. In the process of getting it for her, I became curious and read it myself. I was very attracted to the illustrations, they are beautiful. And the story was right on. I work with young people ages 6 - 15 and the isssue of envy and jealousy that the book addresses hits the mark.
Rating:
Summary: Overpriced rubbish from an old lady
Review: I liked how Madonna wanted to give Bill Clinton oral s*x. She is so old now that Clinton would turn her away. This book is a few short pages and a cut and paste job. Avoid.
Rating:
Summary: An Important Message
Review: I was shopping for a "special" book for my then four-year-old daughter and I was intrigued because Madonna was the author. After reading this book with my daughter, I thought it was a little preachy, but my daughter kept asking for the book over and over. We both loved the illustrations and as a preschooler, she was fascinated by a "big girl" story. It's appropriate for girls of all ages. The message: Don't judge a book by its cover (even beautiful girls can be miserable) got through. I give Madonna credit for writing about rivalry and petty jealousy which affects us even after we get out of 5th grade!
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