Madonna's books for children' based on hebrew texts'

Madonna revealed today her forthcoming children’s books are morality tales based on the mystical Hebrew texts she studies.

The pop queen – who will claim her 11th number one this weekend with American Life – said she wanted to write something deeper than the other “vapid and vacant” titles for youngsters.

In an interview for music channel VH-1 being screened tonight, she complained that most children’s titles contain no lessons.

Earlier this year she landed a deal but publisher Penguin would reveal no details of the contents. Only the title of the first of the five books, The English Roses, was disclosed.

But she told interviewer Megan Mullally, of TV’s Will And Grace, that the books are based on the Kabbalah.

Madonna said: “I have a teacher I’ve been studying Kabbalah with for the last almost seven years now, and he’s suggested that I write some children’s stories based on a lot of things that I’ve learned in Kabbalah – so that’s what I did.”

She said she and her British husband Guy Ritchie were originally planning to work on the books together.

“But Guy got very caught up in writing. He started writing two scripts at the same time and so they were annexed over to me, It was a really good experience.

“He did stay really involved – you know, he’s my greatest critic. Whenever something gave him the retarded tingles, he was not shy about letting me know,” she laughed.

Madonna realised there was an opportunity when reading stories to her first child, daughter Lourdes.

“Now I’m starting to read to my son, but I couldn’t believe how vapid and vacant and empty all the stories were.

“There were like no lessons, just all about princesses and like the beautiful prince arrives and he takes her for his wife and nothing happens, no efforts are made.

“Nobody asks her what her opinion is, or I didn’t see anybody struggling for things. There’s like no books about anything.”

The star – who is currently based in Los Angeles but is expected to return to spend time in the UK in the next few weeks – also talks about the European work ethic.

Madonna said people in Europe were keen to ensure they had a decent quality of life rather than spend half their waking hours in offices.

“I find that people in Europe are much more interested in the quality of life, they’re not so work-oriented,” she said.

“They’re not willing to stay in the office 12 hours a day, they know how to enjoy life better. But Americans know how to get things done quicker.”