So speculates Nikki Finke at Deadline Hollywood Daily, noting the incredible coincidence of Madonna's controversion adoption of a young boy from the African country of Malawi with the release of her latest ENGLISH ROSES children's book. "With a publishing date of October 24th -- two days ago -- it just happened that the Queen of Self-Promotion fighting back tears on Oprah wasn't exactly an impromptu appearance," said Finke. "In fact, she was set to appear there, and other U.S. talk shows over the next days and weeks..."

So is Finke "way too cynical" or does "this latest adoption episode really does seem to bring book publicity to a new barf level"? I know that until she linked the book's release to the adoption, it had completely slipped my mind that Madonna was continuing her children's book series. The first one, THE ENGLISH ROSES, made a serious splash pre-publication but additional installments never quite lived up. Perhaps Madonna sensed nothing much was going on and wanted to drum up some kind - any kind - of attention?