Fans Mob Madonna Book Signing
By Robert Kahn – New York Newsday Staff Writer
September 29, 2003, 6:17 PM EDT
It was billed as a book signing for children, but it sure didn’t look that way.
About 250 winners of a telephone lottery gathered Monday at the Rockefeller Center Barnes & Noble to hear Madonna read from “The English Roses,” the first of five books addressing adolescent challenges.
Each winner was permitted to bring a child to the event, but only about 60 or so felt the pint-sized accessories were necessary.
“I’m just here for me,” said Leeanne Scarione, 29, of Bethpage. “Madonna’s mom passed away when she was young, and my mother’s been sick, so that’s how I relate to her.”
Security was tight and photographs were forbidden as the Literary Girl spent an hour handing out pre-signed copies of her work. The mother of two read a brief excerpt from the story, a 48-page hardcover with illustrations by fashion artist Jeffrey Fulvimari.
Those lottery winners with children had no qualms about exposing them to the woman who made her name on sexuality.
“Madonna’s done a couple of sexually shocking things, but a playful kiss with Britney Spears is small potatoes compared to exposing kids to gangsta rap, where every other word is an expletive and the lyrics are misogynistic,” said Andy Anderson, 36, who was joined by boyfriend, Russell Ruble, and family friend Olivia Fountain, 8.
The second book from Madonna’s series, due Nov. 10, is called “Mr. Peabody’s Apples” and is about the damage done by false rumors and gossip.
“I can’t imagine how Madonna would find inspiration there,” joked Nicholas Callaway, publisher of the book’s American edition.
Source:
New York Newsday