SYDNEY:

Australian pop idol Kylie Minogue is turning a new page in her career with the launch of her first children’s book, which tells the story of a showgirl called Kylie.

British-based Penguin books launched the newly-minted author’s first offering, The Showgirl Princess, with a big media campaign in her native land where Minogue is regarded as an icon. “This lavish and magical picture book sees Kylie become a Showgirl Princess — with a little help from her friends, of course!,” Penguin said on its website.

The Showgirl Princess, aimed at girls aged five to eight, tells the story of the singer frantically searching for her missing shoes as she prepares for a stage show. “Kylie was close to tears,” she was quoted as writing in the book by The Age newspaper. “How could she go on stage without her special Showgirl shoes?” The book, using a mix of what Penguin describes as “gorgeous photomontage” featuring photos of the 38-year-old Minogue teamed with illustrations by artist Swan Park, is dedicated to “little girls everywhere”.