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The English Roses
The book cover shows the four girls on the left, walking under a giant umbrella. Binah walks to the right while holding her own umbrella as rain falls on them. The book name is written in cursive script atop the colorful image.
The English Roses book cover
Author Madonna
Illustrator Jeffrey Fulvimari
Cover artist Jeffrey Fulvimari
Country United States
Series The English Roses
Subject Moral
Genre Children's literature
Publisher Callaway
Publication date
September 15, 2003
Media type
  • Print
  • Audio book
  • Slipcase
Pages 48
ISBN 978-0-670-03678-3
OCLC 52765827
LC Class PZ7.M26573
Followed by The English Roses: Too Good to be True 

The English Roses is a children's picture book written by American entertainer Madonna, released on September 15, 2003, by Callaway Arts & Entertainment. Jeffrey Fulvimari illustrated the book with line drawings. A moral tale, it tells the story of four friends who are jealous of a girl called Binah. However, they come to know that Binah's life is not easy and decide to include her in their group.

The book was released simultaneously in more than 100 countries worldwide and translated into 42 languages. Promotional activities included Madonna hosting a tea party at London's Kensington Roof Gardens, as well as appearances on television talk shows and at book signings. Commercially, The English Roses debuted atop The New York Times Children's Bestseller list and sold over a million copies worldwide. However, it received mixed reviews from book critics who did not find the story interesting and panned the characterizations and its moralistic tone. Fulvimari's illustrations also received a mixed response. Madonna went on to release merchandise associated with The English Roses and further sequels to the book.

Synopsis

The English Roses are four girls—Charlotte, Amy, Grace, and Nicole—who attend the same school in London. They live in the same neighborhood and participate in the same activities together, including attending summer picnics and ice-skating in winter. They are jealous of a girl named Binah, who lives nearby, since they believe her life is perfect. The girls detest her beauty and popularity at school. They enjoy ignoring Binah while concocting naughty plans against her.

One day, the mother of one of the Roses lectures the girls about judging people on the basis of their looks. That night, as the English Roses are at a picnic sleepover, they have the same dream. They are visited by a pumpernickel fairy godmother who sprinkles them with magic dust and transports them to see Binah's life at her home. The girls find that contrary to their belief Binah is actually lonely. Her mother died when she was young, and she lives with her father in a small house where she spends a majority of her time cooking and cleaning. The fairy godmother admonishes the English Roses and asks them to think more kindly of someone in future, rather than complain about their life.

The English Roses feel bad for their behavior towards Binah and invite her to join their group. Soon they strike up a good friendship with her and go on picnics, and to dances and parties together. The girls share all that they like with Binah, and the story ends with there being five English Roses as she joins them.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: The English Roses para niños

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