NY, Sept 30: Pop star Madonna, who built her fame with catchy songs, sexy outfits, steamy videos and a raunchy persona, said on Monday that producing her new children's book was a "liberating" experience. Madonna said writing "The English Roses," was "tremendously liberating. I never felt the pressure of having to impress anybody," she said at a book signing in midtown Manhattan.
Nevertheless, Madonna's magic touch, and media magnetism, is at work again as the book is expected to enter The New York Times children's books best seller list in the No. 1 position on Sunday, her U.S. publisher Callaway said last week.
The first of a planned series of five unrelated books, "The English Roses," a tale about envy and jealousy, was launched in 30 languages in more than 100 countries earlier this month.
"In the first book, the lesson is about how destructive feelings of envy and jealousy are. And everybody feels it, not just little girls," said Madonna.

Madonna, who in 1992 created a publishing stir with "Sex," a coffee table book comprised of erotic photographs, said people should not be surprised that she has tackled children's books as a project.

"I have children and I read to them every night, so it's a perfect extension of who I am," said the 45-year-old pop diva, who has two children. "I think children need to read inspiring books."

Madonna read her 48-page book to a group of small children and then handed out signed copies to the 250 winners of a lottery held by the book store.

Outside, a crowd of lottery losers crowded near the front door hoping to catch a glimpse of Madonna.

"I can't get in but I love her," said New Yorker Dana Spera, who sported a Madonna tattoo on the side of her right leg. "Madonna is a very good person. She has a heart. People need to give her credit. She's very smart and has a lot of knowledge. I just think people are jealous."
Bureau Report