Madonna adds children's writer to her CV
Monday March 3, 2003
The Guardian

After Sophie Dahl's illustrated romance and Ethan Hawke's road novel, Madonna becomes the latest celebrity to turn her hand to fiction. The singer/actress has written a series of children's books to be published by Penguin, it was announced today.

The first of the five illustrated books, designed for ages six and upwards, is called The English Roses, and will be out in hardback in September. Each book will feature artwork from a different illustrator.

Penguin chairman John Makinson said: "Madonna is an artist with a universal appeal and these books will touch children of all backgrounds everywhere in the world."

Penguin has picked up the English language rights to the stories from New York-based Callaway Editions. The founder of Callaway Editions, Nicholas Callaway, said that Madonna had "drawn on a lifelong passion for, and deep familiarity with, literature and children's books," while Francesca Dow, managing director of Puffin, Penguin's children's list, promised a "colourful cast of characters and gentle humour".

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