From the Bookshelf of Jackrabbit Reading Group…

Mr. Peabody's Apples

Madonna,

Loren Long (Illustrator)

Start date: January 1, 2001

Finish date: January 1, 2001

Why we're reading this: This is a wonderful book about not spreading rumors. It has beautiful pictures and the lesson is useful t…more
[close] This is a wonderful book about not spreading rumors. It has beautiful pictures and the lesson is useful to everyone. Anyone can borrow this book from me.

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Apr 03, 2011 Biblio Chelle rated it really liked it

Mr. Peabody’s Apples
By Madonna
Review by M.D. Allen
Mr. Peabody’s Apples is a beautiful demonstration of the power of words. The old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is once again proven untrue. Words can be hurtful and damaging and this story is an invaluable way of exhibiting this without having to learn it the hard way.
Mr. Peabody is a history teacher that volunteers to coach a boy’s baseball team every Saturday in the town of Happville. Mr. Peabody Mr. Peabody’s Apples
By Madonna
Review by M.D. Allen
Mr. Peabody’s Apples is a beautiful demonstration of the power of words. The old saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me” is once again proven untrue. Words can be hurtful and damaging and this story is an invaluable way of exhibiting this without having to learn it the hard way.
Mr. Peabody is a history teacher that volunteers to coach a boy’s baseball team every Saturday in the town of Happville. Mr. Peabody is portrayed as a reliable person and a mentor to children. Every Saturday after the game, Mr. Peabody walks through town and stops at Mr. Funkadeli’s fruit market and picks “the shiniest apple” to eat on the way home from the game.
Billy Little is a student of Mr. Peabody and is a member of the baseball team. He thinks very highly of Mr. Peabody and always helps gather equipment after the games. Billy is set up in this story to be the quintessential child. He admires his teacher, is helpful and comes across as a generally good person with a high moral standard.
Tommy Tittlebottom is also a boy in town. Set up as the antagonist, Tommy sees Mr. Peabody pick his shiny red apple but does not see him pay for it! This is apparently information too good to keep to himself. Tommy has an audience of friends waiting to watch the apple action the very next Saturday after the game. This sets in motion the rumor mill which, naturally, tarnishes Mr. Peabody‘s good guy image. Billy is the one that has to tell Mr. Peabody what is being said about him. Poor Billy runs a gamut of emotions through his heart as he tries to sort the rumored Mr. Peabody from the real one.
The story goes on and teaches a wonderful lesson about spreading rumors and the damage that can be caused. Tommy has the opportunity to improve his moral character despite the huge job of undoing the damage that has been caused. Not wanting to create a spoiler, let it be said that the demonstration of a spreading rumor and how extensive it is to take that information back leaves children’s mouths open and eyes wide.
This book is a fantastic first week of school read to build a cohesive classroom. It could also be used with writing assignments that involve sticking to the facts. It has all kinds of avenues for discussions about each character’s role in the situation.
The lovely illustrations add a realistic dimension to this already rich text. The children can sympathize with the faces of the characters that show happiness, despair, and worry. With older children, these illustrations help demonstrate character development through feelings.
The author of this story is Madonna. She seems to be a talented writer as well as singer. She says that this story is 300 years old. It does have a timeless message good for all ages. This is the second book by Madonna proving her to be a multi-dimensional iconic person.
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Aug 05, 2011 Jeanne Cotten rated it really liked it

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