Yakov and the Seven Thieves by Madonna | Goodreads
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Five Books for Children #3

Yakov and the Seven Thieves

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This book was inspired by the Baal Shem Tov, a great teacher who lived in the Ukraine in the 18th century.

It is a story about how all of us have the ability to unlock the gates of heaven--no matter how unworthy we think we are. For when we go against out selfish natures, we make miracles happen, in our lives and in the lives of others.

We must never forget that hidden behind a large amount of darkness is a large amount of light.

--Madonna

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

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About the author

Madonna

175 books321 followers
Madonna Louise Ciccone is an American pop singer-songwriter. Through her music career, she has also gained some notability as a dancer, record producer, film producer, actress, author and a fashion icon. She is a multiple Grammy- and Golden Globe-award winner, known for her ambitious music videos, stage performances and use of sexual and religious themes in her work.

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5 stars
151 (27%)
4 stars
156 (28%)
3 stars
164 (30%)
2 stars
54 (9%)
1 star
16 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Linda Lipko.
1,904 reviews47 followers
February 26, 2020
I was skeptical when I saw the author listed as "Madonna!" Then, I opened the book to find lush, lovely images that enticed me to purchase it.

I need not have worried; the story is lovely and Gennady Spirin is one of my favorite illustrators/artist.

A cobbler by the name of Yakov has one child, a son who is gravely ill. Despite all attempts to cure him, Yakov and his wife, Olga, grow increasingly frightened when their son is slipping away. Hearing of a man of healing who lives in the last house of their village, Yakov goes to seek his guidance.

Attempting to give all his money to the learned elder man, his coins were refused, stating that if he is successful in helping, perhaps the cobbler would make a pair of shoes for his grandson.

The next day, he visited the wise sage only to be told that when he prayed, the gates of heaven would not open. Thus, Yakov was told that his son's death is inevitable. In distress, Yakov begged the wise man to try yet one more time.

The elderly man told his grandson to go into the village and find all the thieves, pick pockets and criminals and bring them back to the house. Among the lot was Vladimir the Villain who could bend metal and punch holes through stones, and Boris the Barefoot Midget is successful at grabbing the purses of old ladies and the toys of little ones. Among the lot were Ivan the Arsonist, Petra the Pickpocket Stinky Pasha and a large host of near do wells.

When the old man asked the beggars to pray, they all got on their knees and followed his directions to pray. Amazingly, a miracle occurred. The prayers of the man who previously robbed by opening gates, helped to open the gates to heaven so that the child could be healed.

The next day, Yakov came with a new pair of shoes for the elder's grandson. His son was alive and well. It was the prayers of the gang of crooks that made a difference.
Profile Image for SmokingMirror.
373 reviews
September 17, 2014
Maybe an extra star for the illustrations.

Gennady Spirin is an illustrator I love, and it astonished me that he had worked on a book with Madonna. The story is not the worst book I have read but it desperately needs editing. The tone is all over the place, at times suggesting a mode of self-consciousness which is anachronistic. The descriptions of the thieves are cloying in an attempt to be humourous: one thief's attributes rhyme in a sort of triplet, and the rest are depicted in ordinary prose, so that the intended effect is puzzling.

Questions:
If the story is based on the Baal Shem Tov why are all the character names Slavic?
Why does the wise man explain the miracle through a kind of third hand Jungian metaphor?
Is it okay to refer to someone as a midget?
Can there be only one "naughty" female thief amongst of all the males?
Will a disgruntled reader ever go on a pyromaniacal rampage at the warehouse storing these and all other poorly edited but best-selling vanity projects?
Should I acquire this book for Spirin's sake or not? (Answer: probably not.)

Madonna gets some credit for being more literate than she had to be, and for choosing a first rate illustrator, and for giving him credit on the cover.
Profile Image for Puspa.
167 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2020
Buku ini berkisah tentang penderitaan tukang sepatu bernama Yakov dan istrinya, Olga. Anak satu-satunya mereka, Mikhail sakit keras. Ia sudah sangat lemah dan Yakov sudah melakukan apa saja.

Istrinya memintanya menemui si bijak. Ia meminta tolong kepadanya. Ketika doa si bijak tak mampu mengetuk pintu surga, ia meminta cucunya, Pavel, mencari tujuh penjahat berbahaya. Anehnya para penjahat itu mau menuruti permintaan kakek tua yang tak dikenalnya. Mereka dengan tulus ikut berdoa bersama kakek bijak itu.

Ceritanya indah. Penjelasan alasan pemilihan pencuri dan penjahat untuk diajak berdoa juga menarik ketika cucunya bertanya kenapa kakeknya tidak mengajak mereka yang suci untuk berdoa bersamanya.

Menurut kakeknya, pencuri mewakili sikap-sikap buruk manusia. Apabila ingin mukjijat terjadi maka sebaiknya manusia menyadari dan mengakui karekter buruknya dan berpaling dari perilaku tersebut.

Apakah Mikhail berhasil sembuh? Dan bagaimana nasib tujuh penjahat tersebut?

Buku Yakov dan Tujuh Pencuri ini juga kaya ilustrasi. Madonna bekerja sama dengan Gennady Spirin untuk menguatkan ceritanya lewat gambar yang indah. Buku ini dirilis tahun 2004.

Ulasan juga tayang di: https://dewipuspasari.net/2018/11/10/...
Profile Image for Puspa.
167 reviews2 followers
September 21, 2020
Dikisahkan dalam buku ini penderitaan tukang sepatu bernama Yakov dan istrinya, Olga. Anak satu-satunya mereka, Mikhail sakit keras. Ia sudah sangat lemah dan Yakov sudah melakukan apa saja.

Istrinya memintanya menemui si bijak. Ia meminta tolong kepadanya. Ketika doa si bijak tak mampu mengetuk pintu surga, ia meminta cucunya, Pavel, mencari tujuh penjahat berbahaya. Anehnya para penjahat itu mau menuruti permintaan kakek tua yang tak dikenalnya. Mereka dengan tulus ikut berdoa bersama kakek bijak itu.

Ceritanya indah. Penjelasan alasan pemilihan pencuri dan penjahat untuk diajak berdoa juga menarik ketika cucunya bertanya kenapa kakeknya tidak mengajak mereka yang suci untuk berdoa bersamanya.

Apakah Mikhail berhasil sembuh? Dan bagaimana nasib tujuh penjahat tersebut?

Buku Yakov dan Tujuh Pencuri ini juga kaya ilustrasi. Madonna bekerja sama dengan Gennady Spirin untuk menguatkan ceritanya lewat gambar yang indah. Buku ini dirilis tahun 2004.

Ulasan juga tayang di dewipuspasari.net
7,393 reviews100 followers
May 28, 2023
One of the more unusual derivations of any book in my collection, but by no means a bad effort. Madonna, allegedly, rewrites a Ukrainian legend, of a man who engages with the most desperate kind of person, in one sense of the word, to help someone else desperate in a different manner. The story of the sage helping a man who fears for his only son's life is a fairly straightforward one – there are no rules of three or twists or real revelations here – but the telling is actually pretty fine, not over-doing the religious message, and it's a pleasant read. The illustrations help, of course, being really top notch.
Profile Image for AURORA RU.
415 reviews29 followers
Read
January 10, 2024
Īss stāstiņš, bet dīvains, es teiktu, ka pats stāsts kristīgās tradīcijās audzinātam eiropietim varētu būt diezgan problemātiski saprotams vai pat nesaprotams.
Vārdsakot, Madonna ir paņēmusi ukraiņu hasīdu/habadu rabīna Baal Shem Tov, viņš arī Israel ben Eliezer stāstiņu, palūgusi vienam no pasaules labākajam ilustratoram Genādijam Spirinam uzzīmēt ilustrācijas (kas ir brīnišķīgas!) un par grāmatu gūtos ienākumus apsolījusi ziedot labdarībai.
Bet pati stāsta loģika? Ja tu lūdzies nāves enģeli (Izraelu/Ezraelu) un viņš Tevi nedzird, tad sameklē tuvākajā tirgū 7 visdrausmīgākos blēžus/zagļus un pamēģini palūgties kopā ar viņiem - varbūt tad izdosies.
Profile Image for João Teixeira.
1,996 reviews32 followers
July 8, 2018
Ainda que talvez um pouco simplistas ou inverosímeis as mensagens que estas histórias de Madonna tentam transmitir , a verdade é que acabamos por gostar muito de as ler. Eu pelo menos, gostei! Ainda para mais, com ilutrações belíssimas que acompanham muito bem a história.
462 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2019
This story is about a family with one child, who is deathly ill, and a wise man, who finds a way to work a miracle with the prayers of seven thoroughly bad reprobates. It's not a bad story, despite my suspicions on seeing its author - not great literature, but not a bad story. What drew me to the book, though, were the wonderful illustrations by Gennady Spirin. They are both beautiful and full of lovely details. The book is worth getting for the illustrations, even if you don't like the story!
Profile Image for Melissa Smith.
28 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2023
The illustrations are the best part of this book. Their beauty is the reason I picked up the book. Other than enjoyment of the pictures, there is nothing good to be gained from this book. What does it even mean? One needs to be a criminal in order to have prayers answered? I wasted the five minutes it took me to read this one.
Profile Image for Miriam Perez.
19 reviews
November 7, 2020
Hermosas ilustraciones y la historia me gustó mucho. Una muy buena opción para los pequeños.
Profile Image for Kelly.
500 reviews1 follower
March 23, 2021
Another fun reading children's book. Parable about one can make miracles happen with a bit of faith. Not sure of target age group but as adult good quick read.
Profile Image for Viv.
123 reviews1 follower
October 4, 2023
bought this for my niece and decided to read it before i gave it to her… it seems like the editor was too scared to give madonna constructive criticism
Profile Image for Aleria.
267 reviews14 followers
January 9, 2024
This book is so beautifully illustrated! And I also found it in one of the Little Libraries here in my neighborhood. :)
Plus this is the 1st time I've read a book by Madonna.
42 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2014
Yakov and the Seven Thieves by Madonna and illustrated by Gennady Spirin is about a man named Yakov who had a young son named Mikhail who was very ill. His illness was a mystery and only a miracle could save him. So, he and his wife Olga decided to seek advice from a wise old man who lived in the last house at the edge of the village. Yakov arrived at the house and met both the wise old man and his grandson Pavel. The wise old man then told Yakov he would pray to heaven, not realizing that his prayers will only reach the gates of heaven. The following day, the wise old man would try again but asked Pavel to find all the thieves, pickpockets, and criminals in the village and bring them back to the house. With that, all seven of the thieves, after much rambunctiousness, all closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and prayed with the wise old man. Then something miraculous happened, the very next day, Mikhail was cured and healthy once again.

This book is simple, yet a heart-warming book that has a very good message. The thieves in the book provided the key to opening the gates to heaven because they represented the sins in us as human beings that are bad, and parts in us we need to change to be happy. That is when miracles happen, because we accept and acknowledge our bad traits. We embrace good deeds while turning away from bad behavior to receive good fortune. That is why the wise old man himself was not able to do it alone. Not only that, but the amount of details and the array of colors the illustrator uses in the book is quite extraordinary. Each character was represented in their own unique way as they showed each thieves’ traits of stealing from being a master jewel thief to snatching old ladies’ handbags and small children’s toys. Also, the clothes worn really represent the time period back then as ladies wore bonnets and long gowns; primarily set somewhere in the years 1720 to 1750. That aside, the letter used to start each new page makes the text really stand out and bring its own type of uniqueness and take in the time period. It really helps enhance the illustrations as well. This book is another well thought-out book written by Madonna herself.
Profile Image for Sandra (Page by Page).
127 reviews32 followers
March 26, 2022
It's a children book with exceptionally beautiful illustrations in it, plus it's a hardcover. Makes me want to keep it on my shelf but, I don't get the moral of the story at all. Shouldn't there be one?

Basically, Yakov the shoemaker is super stressed about his dying son (as he should), and goes seeking help from this wise man who can speak to angels and open the Gate of Heaven. The wise man tried praying but failed to open The Gate. Then proceeds to gather the village rascals, thieves, arsonist, and all those wrongdoers to help him pray. They did open The Gate through prayer because according to the wise man, the rascals know the sneaky ways to do that. Miraculously, Yakov's son is up and healthy again. That's it.

I tried to figure out what the moral of the story is, but do not want to overthink myself. Maybe this is just a pretty book with no hidden lessons to take, I guess that's fine too.
Profile Image for Jaimie.
1,605 reviews21 followers
December 29, 2015
This book was slightly better than The Adventures of Abdi, but I still found it rather unappealing. The fairy tale inspired story is a wonderful start (it channels a certain Hans Christian Andersen vibe with its focus on prayer and a child protagonist who must be saved by its caring parents), but I found the choice of illustrative style to not match well with the story. By naming the protagonist Yakov, they immediately place the story in Eastern Europe, a setting which is further compounded by the small town setting, the superstitious townsfolk, and the kindly village magician (an old man who does magic, but who the townsfolk seem to accept without negative judgement). Yet, the illustrations seem to be influenced by the fashions of France and Germany, as we see many a curled ponytail and high-heeled shoes on the male characters. I would have expected a more Russian style of illustration at least, if not an even more specific style to depict potentially Jewish characters.
Profile Image for vaugnfreech.
112 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2013
I've been hearing this rumor about Madonna. Why has she remained famous all these years? Oh well, coz she paid the devil her soul. I dunno if it's true.

But then, after reading one of her children's books, I think it's not true. She just emphasized on the power of prayer.

Set in a European place, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, is a story that gives us a lesson...that no matter how bad a person is, the gates of Heaven can still be opened. The main character is Yakov, who is having a sick son named Mikhail. He sought the help of an old man in their village, believed to be talking to angels.

The old man prayed for Yakov's child not to die. But the gates of Heaven was closed. With this, he requested the seven most dangerous thieves in the place to pray with him.

Yakov's son got well and truly, it's a miracle.
Profile Image for Nancy Freund.
Author 6 books107 followers
August 31, 2016
Very cute, with wonderful illustrations by Russian-born, New Jersey artist Gennady Spirin. The front flap explains that the story is inspired by the Baal Shem Tov, a great teacher who lived in the Ukraine in the 18th century. The tone of the story seems to match this other-era, other worldliness. It's not quite a fairy tale, but there are definite elements of that in both the story and the illustrations. Anyone who listens to Madonna's lyrics must recognize an open-minded spirituality at the center of much of her music, and this children's story aligns with that interest as well.
I was given this book by a friend, and it was a pleasant surprise.
Profile Image for Nichole.
112 reviews10 followers
February 24, 2009
Each of her stories is as precious as the rest. Madonna writes these stories in a wonderful way which appeals to adults as well as to young children.

In this story, Yakov and Olga’s son is very sick and Yakov does not believe he will live much longer. Heeding the direction of Olga, Yakov headed to the house of the Old Wise Man, needing a miracle. Ultimately, the man needed the help of seven thieves from town in order to heal Yakov’s son.

The old man said that it is only by acknowledging the faults we have in ourselves that we can perform miracles. So true.
Profile Image for Alyssa Laane.
16 reviews19 followers
July 16, 2014
I have had this since I was probably thirteen. My mom bought it for me and I thought it was the coolest thing but never actually read it. I finally have read it today after so many years of staring at it from my bed.

It was an interesting book,very different,style-wise for myself. Not something I am use to reading. It had more of an 'old time' feel to it. I enjoyed the book for what it was. Probably not something I'd go to again unless reading to my little cousins. But it was a nice little read.
Profile Image for sofwan rizky.
22 reviews
January 3, 2015
ISENG. Penasaran awalnya. Ingin tahu bagaimana seorang Madonna menulis sebuah buku -sekalipun itu buku anak-anak.

Dua bintang untuk kisahnya. Klasik, simpel, tetapi sayangnya pesan moral yang disampaikan kurang nendang. Padahal saya mengharapkan pesan moral yang lebih di balik tujuh pencuri unik ini.

Total untuk buku ini tiga bintang. Satu bintang datangnya dari ilustrasinya yang cukup 'wah', pas dengan porsi cerita di setiap halaman.

Salut untuk Madonna yang terjun di bidang penulisan seperti ini. :)
61 reviews
February 18, 2008
My children and I absolutely LOVE this book. Yes, I know, I know, it IS by Madonna. She simply has retold and old Ukranian story...but with fantastically beautiful illustrations that make one want to cry! This story itself is so redeeming and sweet and has a wonderful message. I bought this at the book fair, and paid $20 for it, which is out of my league for a childrens' book, but we have been very satisfied, and I have NO buyers remorse for this one! I recommend this book to everyone!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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