Yakov and the Seven Thieves

by Madonna

Book Overview

Yakov, the kindly cobbler, and his wife, Olga, are heartbroken because their son, Mikhail, is very ill. They seek advice from a wise old man, who enlists the help of seven thieves and proves that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670058874
• ISBN13: 9780670058877
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Callaway Editions
• Length: 48 Pages
• Weight: 0.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.3" x 10.2"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Mentor your loved ones please

The entire collection of books are beautifully crafted with rhythm, visual appeal and constant surprises. The author not only seeks to educate the listener but also the reader. I have found the entire collection a joy to share and an invaluable resource to deal with life’s problems both big and small. They are easy to understand and fun to read and leave you feeling satisfied. If you love your precious ones buy these books read them out loud and talk to your child about how they feel about the experience. I can’t get enough and can’t recommend them highly enough to anyone who wants to mentor their child and add to their emotional repair kit to prepare them for some of life’s inevitable problems. I have never met the author and only bought one book at first now I have as many as I can find. Thank you for reading this review, it was a pleasure to spend the time writing it and hope it helps others to make an informed decision that’s right for them.

Madonna's Third Book In the Series

"Yakov And the Seven Thieves" is Madonna's third published children's book. She previously published the best-selling "The English Roses" and "Mr. Peabody's Apples". This has the text to please not only children readers but also adult readers. It explores the inspiration of an 18th century Kaballah-based Ukrainian writing teaching that even criminals can become heroes. Madonna proves that she's mastered art beyond music. This book is Madonna's best in her series. She proves that she's greatly evolved as a writer. She wonderfully establishes the original 18th century text into her own. While offering reading joy, the lesson learned will not be forgotten. The story takes readers on a journey of Yakov's struggles to help heal his sick and dying son Mikhail. Yakov asks help of an old wise man believed to often work miracles. What happens next will amaze readers. Through these words, Madonna changes her writing style from her previous. She forces readers to think more about the events, which opportunitizes deeper reading. Gennady Spirin paints these portraits beautifully. All offer the added reading pleasure. He gives the story the extended reading journey through the events. The physical surroundings offer the experience beyond the ordinary. He establishes the 18th century wardrobes and architecture precisely. "Yakov And the Seven Thieves" is great for those looking for a truly unique children's book and all Madonna fans. This is sure to become a classic. Fans of Madonna work, music and/ or writing, should watch for her other two children's books to be released in the near future. Her past two published works are also great for reading.

A simple story; a powerful theme; and wonderful art!!!!!

The story:~Yakov, a cobbler, and his wife Olga have a very ill son, their only son, named Mikhail. When everything seem to be lost, Yakov goes for help to the wise old man of the village. With the help of the of seven thieves from the village, the wise old man make the imposible miracle, posible, and the story has a happy ending.The theme: As Madonna puts it, the "story [is]about how all of us have the ability to unlock the gates of Heaven-no matter how unworthy we think we are." Very powerful and spiritual message this lost and contaminated world.The ART:There are not enough words to describe the art of this book, but just WONDERFUL!GREAT WORK BY MADONNA AND GENNADII SPIRIN.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT!

I like to keep an eye on the readings of my grandchildren, ergo, I picked this one up. I am not a great fan of Madonna, the singer, but I must say this is a delightful book, well thoughtout, good story, wonderful illustrations. I think perhaps I have underrated this young lady. She is certainly tallented. I highly recommend adding this book to your childs library..it is well worth the read.

Excellent book!

Understand, yes, I am a longtime Madonna fan. I found "The English Roses" to be charmingly written and a nice lesson but the artwork was somewhat more avant garde than found in most children's books. Whether or not you think that's a bad thing is totally up to you. Meanwhile, her next, "Mr. Peabody's Apples", was less succesfully written, although it still contained a nice morality tale, but this time featured Norman Rockwell meets Edward Hopper art work by Loren Long that was just beautifully evocative of 1950's Americana. This time, both the writing and the artwork come together to form a coherent and magnificent whole. The story is about the power of prayer, but in an extraordinarily non-denominational manner. Here, Madonna does not suggest any particular religious affiliation outside of one that is monotheistic, and the message comes off well without being preachy. Also, she manages to envelop you in the tale in a way she didn't in the other two books, to the point where you forget that Madonna the superstar wrote this book and it becomes simply a nice children's story. The artwork is also gorgeous, reflecting the Russian roots of the story, the illustrator clearly drew inspiration from Russian Orthodox iconography to create beautiful images. I do, however, think this tale, with it's spiritual themes, may be more well suited to slightly older children. Don't buy this book because Madonna wrote it, and don't ignore this book because Madonna wrote it. Just experience it for yourself and give it a chance. You won't be disappointed.

Charming! Madonna's best.

I was strolling through Walmart in a very low mood today when I stumbled across Yakov and the Seven Thieves on the shelf. I picked it up and started reading. How truthful and uplifting this short story is. In no time I felt overflowing kindness and tenderness regained in my spirit. The story is one that speaks of the greatest kind of beauty -- moral beauty. When people recognize their flaws, which can hurt people and relationships, if they are strong enough sometimes a person can "stop the chain" of hurt their flaws cause. To be able to identify the barriers and problems that break love and hurt others, and to be able to correct those problems, one is more likely to find happiness. That is what this little book is about. Able to convey such great and helpful wisdom in such little space, Madonna is something even greater than a great author--she is a great person.