Singer, songwriter, producer, actress, model, label owner, now children's book writer:

Madonna and Callaway Editions are creating an original series of five illustrated storybooks for young readers in association with Penguin Group. The English language rights to the five books, each of which will feature a different celebrated illustrator, have been acquired by Penguin from Callaway Editions in New York, represented by Andrew Wylie of The Wylie Agency in New York.

In the United States, the titles will be published by Callaway Editions, the renowned illustrated book publisher, and distributed by Penguin Group (USA). In all other English language markets, they will be published by Puffin, the children's imprint of Penguin Group (UK).

The first title written by Madonna, The English Roses, will be published in hardcover in September 2003 and distributed simultaneously worldwide.

Nicholas Callaway, Founder and Publisher of Callaway Editions, says, "As with everything she does, Madonna is once again going to surprise, delight, and lead the way. She has drawn on a lifelong passion for and deep familiarity with literature and children's books to create contemporary classics that combine great storytelling with ravishing art.

"With these books, Madonna has accomplished something rare and wonderful. Despite the astonishing range and variety of her stories, they all evoke the secret that the red fox shares with the Little Prince in Antoine de Saint-Exupery's book: 'It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.' These, too, are magical stories for children of all ages - even grown-up ones."