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This story surrounds the events of what someone thought they saw occur, the spreading of a rumor, and the resulting events. When beloved history teacher and baseball coach is seen taking an apple from the fruit stand without paying, the towns people distance themselves from him based on gossip. Eventually Mr. Peabody is able to clear up the situation and important lessons are learned about making assumptions and spreading rumors. This book is a good opening discussion for subjects such as assumptions and critical thinking with grades 1-5. It has beautiful illustrations and a simple narrative. ( )

The main character learns the harm in gossiping and that spreading rumors is like spreading feathers in the wind. It is impossible to retrieve all of the feathers just like it is impossible to take back the rumor. ( )

Mr. Peabody is the beloved elementary school teacher and baseball coach, who one day finds himself being treated differently when rumors spread through the small town become Tommy saw him take an apple. Mr. Peabody takes Tommy to a field and has him release a bunch of feathers from a feather pillow and then he tells him to go and find each one and bring it back. Tommy realizes that he should have thought or asked questions before spreading lies that Mr. Peabody doesn't pay for his apple each day.

The style is a bit twee and didactic - but it's a fable, so that's appropriate. The paintings by [a:Loren Long|329975|Loren Long|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-ccc56e79bcc2db9e6cdcd450a4940d46.png] give it the depth and charm that many readers, like me, enjoy. I don't know about you, but I expect the ending is more satisfactory if one assumes, as I do, that Tommy will talk the Truth to the townsfolk as he collects the feathers.

I never expected to read anything by Madonna, as I'm not automatically impressed by celebrity authors, but I'm glad I picked this up in the thrift store and read it before passing it on via bookcrossing. ( )