Madonna's first children's book went on sale today (Monday), a day after she gave an invitation-only reading to children in London.

A host of celebrities and their children were invited to a tea party in Kensington, west London to launch the pop stars first children's book, 'The English Roses', on Sunday.

Madonna read from the book to an audience of children including daughter Lourdes and son Rocco.

Buy 'The English Roses'

It is a story of rivalry and friendship among five schoolgirls in contemporary London and is a 48-page, jacketed hardcover with colourful illustrations by renowned fashion artist, Jeffrey Fulvimari.

The singer said in a press release that the idea for the book "first came about through my Kabbalah teacher, who suggested that I share the spiritual wisdom I’ve learned studying the Kabbalah by writing children’s stories."

The book has been translated into 30 languages, including Faroese, Thai and Estonian, and is on sale in 100 countries. Print runs will range from 750,000 in the US to only 1,000 in the Faroe Islands. It is published in the UK by Puffin.

'The English Roses' is the first of five children's books by Madonna aimed at children over six. The second book, 'Mr. Peabody’s Apples', will be released on November 10, 2003.