The English Roses: Friends for Life! (The English Roses, 1)
The English Roses Series
What’s inside...
The English Roses: Friends for Life! is the first book in a children's series written by Madonna. It tells the story of five girls—Nicole, Amy, Charlotte, Grace, and Binah—who live in London. Although they come from different backgrounds, they form a close-knit group known as the English Roses. Initially, the girls are envious of Binah because they believe she leads a perfect life. However, after a magical encounter with a fairy godmother, they learn that Binah's life is not as enviable as they thought, and they realize the importance of empathy and not judging others by appearances. The story promotes themes of friendship, understanding, and the value of looking beyond the surface to discover what's truly important about a person. As the girls overcome their jealousy and befriend Binah, they learn valuable life lessons and become friends for life. Madonna's bestselling series, now back in print and in a brand new, full-color edition! Welcome to the world of the English Roses! Meet each of the English Roses—Nicole, Amy, Charlotte, Grace, and Binah—and learn all of their vital statistics. From each girl’s full name, to her favorite pet, to her worst habits, this question-and-answer book will introduce readers to Madonna’s delightfully charming girls. The book has a section for each Rose, plus one for the reader to fill out, and features gorgeous high quality four-color art! When the English Roses chapter book series was first published it featured black and white artwork throughout. This new edition presents the same ravishing art in full color, highlighting Jeffrey Fulvimari's drawings in gorgeous detail.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the friendship between the English Roses change throughout the story, and what do you think helped them grow closer?
What qualities do you think make someone a good friend? Do you see any of those qualities in the English Roses?
If you were in the story, how would you have helped the characters solve their problems?
What is one thing you learned from the book that you can apply to your own friendships?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in our town today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the dynamics of friendship portrayed in the story. Discuss different scenarios and ask how they would react in similar situations. Highlight the importance of empathy, kindness, and understanding in friendships, drawing parallels to their own experiences. Use examples from the book to talk about resolving conflicts and the joy of having friends. Finally, ask them to think about how they can be a better friend in their own life, using the characters as examples.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The story teaches empathy by showing how the girls come to understand each other's different lifestyles and challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to appreciate and respect the differences among their peers and understanding that everyone has unique struggles.
Example Lesson: The power of friendship
Explanation: The book highlights how strong bonds between friends can help overcome jealousy and competition.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value and nurture friendships, understanding that true friends support and uplift each other.
Example Lesson: Importance of communication
Explanation: The characters in the book learn to resolve their misunderstandings through open and honest communication.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings and thoughts clearly to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings among friends and family.
Example Lesson: Acceptance and inclusivity
Explanation: This book portrays the theme of acceptance by showing how the characters embrace each other's differences and form a close-knit group.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be inclusive and accepting of peers from different backgrounds, promoting harmony and understanding in diverse settings.