LONDON (AP) – Hundreds of Madonna fans lined up for 24 hours outside a central London bookstore where the pop singer signed copies of her new children’s book.

But only the first 250 hopefuls were allowed into Selfridges on Oxford Street Thursday to watch Madonna read from “The Adventures of Abdi” before signing copies.

Crowds who gathered on the shopping street for a glimpse of the singer were disappointed when she was smuggled into the store through an underground parking lot.

Madonna later gave a 10-minute reading to a group of 30 schoolchildren, ages 8 to 10, from St. Winifred’s Catholic Junior School in south London.

“The Adventures of Abdi” is the fourth book in a five-book children’s series that Madonna is writing for Callaway Editions. Callaway has already published “The English Roses,” “Mr. Peabody’s Apples” and “Yakov and the Seven Thieves.”

Madonna’s fifth book, “Lotsa de Casha,” is due for release next summer.

Britain holds first Music Hall

LONDON (AP) – Robbie Williams, Michael Jackson, Queen, the Rolling Stones and Cliff Richard have been inducted into Britain’s first Music Hall of Fame, chosen by the public as the best music acts of the past five decades.

The honorees were selected by a public vote by Channel 4 television. Also inducted Thursday were honorary members Madonna, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley, U2 and The Beatles. So far, there’s no building.

Madonna, U2 frontman Bono, Stones guitarist Ron Wood and Williams were among those who received their awards at the ceremony.

Acts needed only to have been influential or successful in Britain to qualify.

Williams represents the 1990s, Jackson the 1980s, Queen the 1970s, the Rolling Stones the 1960s and Richard the 1950s.

The Beatles’ award was collected by their producer, George Martin.

“After 42 years, the light of their genius still shines as bright as ever,” Martin said.

Priscilla Presley accepted the award on behalf of her late husband.

“His dream, that of a world tour, was never realized. His fan base was so strong here and because of that he would have been proud to receive this,” she said.

Aretha to honor Clinton

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – From the queen of soul to a king of comedy, celebrities are set to fete the opening of the Clinton Library.

The week’s excitement will come to a peak Thursday when former President Bill Clinton’s library is dedicated.

Aretha Franklin will perform with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday night.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for celebration for the community and for us to work with the queen of soul,” said William Vickery, executive director of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

From Monday through Thursday, political satirist and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Al Franken and radio co-host Katherine Lanpher will broadcast “The Al Franken Show,” a liberal talk radio program, live from Little Rock.

“The point of his political satire is relevant for the Clinton opening,” said Laura Hupp, co-chair of the benefit committee that invited Franken.

John Glenn, the former astronaut and former U.S. senator, will help open the exhibit “Space and the Presidency” at the Museum of Discovery in downtown Little Rock on Wednesday.

Later that evening, a free concert with rock bands Better Than Ezra, The North Mississippi All-Stars and B-Side will perform at the Riverfest Amphitheater. The concert will be followed by a fireworks display billed as the largest Arkansas has ever had.