'THE ENGLISH ROSES' Madonna's book is sweet little tale

The kid's book teaches a lesson about envy and friendship.
By CAROLE GOLDBERG
THE HARTFORD COURANT
"The English Roses," by Madonna (Callaway, $19.95)
Parents, fear not. Madonna's first book for kids is nothing whatsoever like her notorious volume "Sex" and has absolutely nothing to do with That Kiss.
Rather, it's a sweet little tale with a tart-tongued, pumpernickle-loving fairy godmother who teaches a valuable lesson about envy and friendship.
"The English Roses," illustrated in a colorful cartoon-y style by Jeffrey Fulvimari, made publishing history Monday when it was simultaneously released in 100 countries and in 30 languages.
At Barnes & amp; Noble Booksellers in West Hartford, Conn., assistant manager Paula Rosenberg said she hopes Madonna didn't spoil its chances with the furor she created by kissing Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera at the MTV Video Music Awards last month.
Inspiration
Inspired by Madonna's study of the mystic Jewish Kabbalah, the 46-page book teaches but never preaches. In it, four little girls -- the English Roses of the title -- learn, with the help of a dream and some fairy dust, that Binah, the beautiful but motherless girl they have been shunning, has a sadder life than they imagined.
Madonna, who at age 5 lost her own mother to cancer, has said she was very lonely as a child and fears her daughter, Lourdes, may suffer some rejection because of her mother's fame.
The children's book is the first of five by the singer, film star and author. The second, "Mr. Peabody's Apples," is due out Nov. 10.