I just saw an article on Facebook discussing how Joanna Gaines has written a children’s book…and before I could check myself I had rolled my eyes so hard I could see the back of my own skull. That totally isn’t fair. I’ve never read her book, and it could be fabulous. But whenever I see that a celebrity has written a children’s book, I suspect that if that same book manuscript were submitted to a publishing house without the famous name attached, the editors would be whipping out a rejection email tout de suite.
I know a lot of celebrities have written children’s books, but I didn’t realize how many have gotten into the game. Here’s a random list of only a few who have decided they’re children’s authors:
Madonna
Will Smith
Jay Leno
Jerry Seinfeld
Jewel
Ricky Gervais
Kelly Clarkston
Bruce Springsteen
Bethenny Frankel
Steve Martin
Brooke Shields
Keith Richards
Michael Ian Black
Jim Carrey
Billy Crystal
Mario Lopez
John Travolta
Tori Spelling
Julianne Moore
Sting
Queen Latifah
Sharon Osbourne
Jamie Lee Curtis
I’ll be honest with you…I snorted a bit when I saw that Keith Richards is a children’s book author. 🙂 Honestly, I’m sure that at least a few celebrity-written picture books are excellent. I personally can recommend Today I Feel Silly by Jamie Lee Curtis and The Purple Kangaroo by Michael Ian Black. Both of these are completely delightful for totally different reasons. So help me out–can you recommend any other celebrity-written children’s books?
Little Budgie Books by Her Royal Highness Sarah Ferguson
I’ll be honest with you too… I cringed my nose at seeing some of these authors.
I recommend: Katie Can Change The world- Jennifer Dewing.
It Will Be Okay- Lysa TerKeurst. How To Be A Friend- Molly Wigand.
The Wonderful Things You Will Be- Emily Martin.
When I Pray For You- Matthew Turner… and more.
I like too like Jamie’s book and l also like Billy Crystal’s Grandpa’s Little One
It isn’t out yet, but Jenna Bush Hager & Barbara Pierce Bush have a book coming out in November called “Sisters First.” I plan to check it out. I heard that it is a rhyming book.
I already know I love you by Billy Crystal is an absolutely beautiful book!
Oh. My. Gosh. My students LOVE Michael Ian Black’s Chicken Cheeks. What elementary age kid doesn’t like a book about butts!!!!! I think I died laughing when I first read it! We cannot keep it in our school library!
I am not sure I want many celebrities to impart their world view to kids, but hopefully these offerings are promoting good on some level.