One week after its release in 30 languages and more than 100 countries around the world, The English Roses, Madonna's first book for children, is a global best-seller.

The book will enter The New York Times best-seller list in the 5 October 2003 edition of The New York Times Book Review in the No. 1 position for children's picture books. The book also holds top positions in several other ranking lists in US as well as e.g. in Taiwan, Slovenia and Iceland. Puffin Books, the children's division of Penguin Group UK, is in its fourth printing of The English Roses in response to surging demand. The French publisher of The English Roses, Gallimard Jeunesse, is also in its third printing and publishers in Germany (Hanser), the Netherlands (Vassallucci), Finland (WSOY) and Turkey (Iletisim) are each in their second printings. In Finland, bookstores were sold out of the book within two hours of its release on 15 September. The second edition will be in stores on 8 Ocotober 2003.

The English Roses, a 48-page jacketed hardcover, filled with whimsical, colorful illustrations by renowned fashion artist Jeffrey Fulvimari, is a story about the importance of compassion and the rewards of friendship among five schoolgirls in contemporary London.

Mr. Peabody’s apples, the second in Madonna’s series of five book for children, will be released globally on 10 November 2003.

WSOY is the book publishing and printing division of SanomaWSOY Group.