Ananova:

Mariah Carey is taking on Madonna - at the bookstores - by becoming a children's fiction writer.

The 35-year-old diva has announced plans to publish a series of illustrated children's books entitled Automatic Princess.

Carey began working on the project last summer, reports MTV.

She said: "The way I do things, I need to be involved. I wouldn't just be like, 'Here's a concept, go run with it.'

"It's still something I really want to do, and I'm going to do, and I'm going to start getting that into production soon."

The books are to be based on the stories on her own childhood experience as the daughter of a mixed race marriage. The series will explore the journey of a bi-racial orphan girl.

Carey is currently celebrating a US No 1 album with her latest The Emanicipation of Mimi.