On This Day May 30 2003 - Madonna's Book, 'The English Roses,' Was Expected to Be The Widest Simultaneous Multi-Language Release In Publishing History

Madonna's illustrated storybook series to debut on September 15, 2003


worldwide in more than 100 countries
NEW YORK, May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Madonna is poised to make book publishing
 history when The English Roses, the first title of the original series of five
 illustrated storybooks, all of which were written by her, is published in
 hardcover globally on September 15, 2003.  It is anticipated that upon
 publication date, Callaway Editions and Penguin Group, in association with
 some of the most prestigious literary publishers in the world, will release
 Madonna's book simultaneously worldwide in 42 language editions in more than
 100 countries.  The English Roses is a story for young readers about
 friendship, jealousy, sleepover parties, and fairy godmothers with stunning
 full-color illustrations throughout.
    
     Each of these books will feature exquisite illustrations by
 internationally acclaimed artists. The identity of the illustrator of The
 English Roses will be revealed on the book's publication date on September
 15th.  The title and publication date of the second book in the series will
 also be announced upon publication of the first book.
     International rights have been arranged by Andrew Wylie of The Wylie
 Agency, New York and London, who also represented Callaway Editions in New
 York when the English language rights to the five books were acquired by
 Penguin Group in March 2003.
   
     In the U.S., the titles will be published by Callaway Editions, the
 distinguished illustrated book publisher, and distributed by Penguin Group
 (USA).  The projected first printing in the U.S. will be 400,000 copies. In
 all other English language markets, the books will be published by Puffin, the
 children's imprint of Penguin Group (UK).
     Nicholas Callaway, Editor and Publisher, Callaway Editions, Inc.,
 comments, "The quality, beauty and timelessness of Madonna's stories evidently
 have struck a chord with some of the world's most expert children's
 publishers. It's hardly news that Madonna knows how to communicate. Now thanks
 to this global network of publishing partners that have joined together, we
 will have a new generation throughout the world that will know Madonna as an
 inspiring storyteller."
     Hedwige Pasquet, Managing Director of Gallimard Jeunesse, the renowned
 French publisher, says, "To be a part of an international publishing
 phenomenon of this magnitude and quality is exciting and wonderful. It's not
 very often that so many prestigious publishers come together and share a
 common global passion and vision for a series of books."
     Doug Whiteman, President, Penguin Young Readers Group in the U.S.,
 comments, "We are extremely excited to be a part of this landmark publishing
 event. My colleague, Francesca Dow, her Puffin team, and the entire Penguin
 Group share this enthusiasm as we look forward to the worldwide launch of
 Madonna's storybook series. "
 
     NOTE TO THE PRESS:
     Penguin Group (USA) had three #1 New York Times best-selling Young Readers
 titles in 2002, including two titles by celebrated picture book author Jan
 Brett and one by Brian Jacques.  Other best-selling Penguin Young Readers
 Group authors include Judy Blume, Eric Carle, Tomie dePaola, Roald Dahl, Eric
 Hill, Don Freeman, Hardie Gramatky, Robert McCloskey, A.A. Milne, Richard
 Peck, Patricia Polacco, and dozens of other popular authors.  Penguin Group
 (USA) Young Readers perennial favorites include The Little Engine That Could
 and the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series.
     Puffin is the UK's leading publisher of children's books and one of its
 best-loved brands.  The publishing programme spans illustrated books for the
 very young through to teenage fiction, poetry and non-fiction.  Puffin
 publishes an award-winning range of best-selling authors, including Janet and
 Allan Ahlberg, Eric Carle, Eoin Colfer, Roald Dahl, Anne Fine, Dick King-Smith
 and Melvin Burgess.  Puffin is part of Penguin Group (UK).
     The Penguin Group is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
     Callaway is a brand name, illustrated book publisher with a worldwide
 reputation for its state-of-the-art visual books.  Callaway titles have
 included some of the most highly acclaimed illustrated books of our time,
 including such titles as the best-selling Miss Spider series, written and
 illustrated by David Kirk, Hilary Knight's When I Have a Little Girl/When I
 Have a Little Boy, Georgia O'Keeffe: One Hundred Flowers, and Irving Penn's
 Passage.
     Callaway's 3-D computer-animated television special, Miss Spider's Sunny
 Patch Kids, debuted on Nickelodeon in March.  Callaway's Sunny Patch brand of
 children's lifestyle products has just launched at 1,150 Target Stores across
 the United States.
 
 

SOURCE  Penguin Group