Enid Blyton? Who's that girl?

Noddy's bell would have been ringing with indignation. And Big Ears would have been more than a little shocked.

Yesterday, at the launch of her first children's book, Madonna revealed a degree of literary ignorance that will send shockwaves through Toytown.

The singer was asked how she felt being described as the new Enid Blyton. 'Who's that?' came the brusque, and clearly bemused, response.

Miss Blyton, of course, was the 20th century's most successful children's writer, creator of Noddy, the Secret Seven and the Famous Five.

However, the latter haven't been sufficiently famous to appear on the Material Girl's reading list.

'Are they any good?' she said when asked about the adventure series that has sold millions of copies across the world, delighting fans with tales of scrapes, japes, secret tunnels and lashings of ginger beer.

Madonna's unfamiliarity with the works of Blyton came to light as she arrived at Kensington Roof Gardens in West London, the venue for a children's tea party to promote her book, The English Roses. Despite the glaring gaps in her reading, she was insistent her favourite books were by English authors - AA Milne's Winnie the Pooh and The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis.

Abandoning her usual shock tactics - most recently seen at the MTV Video Awards where she kissed Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera - the pop star looked every inch the demure mother yesterday.

In a knee-length flowered silk tea dress and matching shoes, she sat quietly, occasionally signing autographs for children brave enough to approach her.

And it was very much a family affair for Madonna. Lourdes, six - her daughter with former personal trainer Carlos Leon - and three-year-old Rocco - her son with husband Guy Ritchie - were the guests of honour.

But the children threatened to upstage her as, perched on a garden

swing with their mother as she read excerpts to a group of children, Rocco refused to sit still and Lourdes kept interrupting with helpful suggestions.

The 45-year-old singer showed off the colourful illustrations to the appreciative youngsters, but ended her reading of the notforprofit book after five minutes.

She told how her daughter Lourdes was her inspiration for the tale, which centres on a group of four girls - called the English Roses - jealous of the central character, a beautiful kind little girl called Binah.

The story is based loosely on the teachings of Kabbalah, an offshoot of Judaism which Madonna follows.

For the launch the entire sixth floor of the club had been turned into a children's paradise, with glittering butterflies, paper flowers and activities area.

Even the lifts had been wallpapered in bright colours and glitter had been sprinkled all over the floors. The stilt-walking swans however, were not a great hit with youngsters, leaving several of the younger ones screaming in terror.

Ritchie, in jeans and trainers with a baseball cap jammed over his forehead, stood quietly in the crowd. But the film director may have more pressing family matters to think about.

Asked about rumours that she is pregnant, Madonna replied: 'Rumours are rumours. But you never know - there may be a hint of truth in them.'

The English Roses - out today - is a far cry from Madonna's last literary effort. Sex, published in 1993, was a coffee table book featuring her in various sexual poses.

It remains to be seen whether she will be able to emulate Enid Blyton's success. The British author, who died in 1968, enjoyed enormous popularity, and many of her books have been adapted for TV.