mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
Today is Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday; in his honor, IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) has organized International Children’s Book Day to celebrate childhood reading and note the importance of children’s books and literacy. By now we all know that Madonna has her own children’s book series, but here are ten more celebrity authors you may not have known about:
1. John Travolta’s book, Propeller One-Way Night Coach: a Fable for All Ages was written for Travolta’s late son, Jett, just after his birth; it is being made into a movie, reportedly directed by Rob Morrow.
2. Terrell Owens, yes, that T.O., has a book titled Little T Learns to Share, in which a young boy struggles with being fair and sharing his new football. In the end, he decides football is no fun when played all alone.
3. Steve Martin has written a couple of very readable novellas, but I had no idea he had written a children’s book. The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z! is a collection of alliterative couplets. From the letter A: “Amiable Amy, Alice and Andie / Ate all the anchovy sandwiches handy.” That is so cute.
4. Gloria Estefan has a series based on her bulldog, Noelle, in which the pet goes on “magically mysterious” adventures, available in English or Spanish. She covers themes such as fitting in, self-image, and discovering the things that really matter.
5. Tim McGraw’s My Little Girl won the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award® in February, chosen by a panel of judges including the founder of Reading Rainbow and creator of Baby Einstein. Not too shabby.
6. Dionne Warwick’s Say a Little Prayer is a semi-autobiographical story about “Little D,” who one day discovers her secret talent and is encouraged by her grandfather to embrace it. The book comes with an audio CD of Ms. Warwick singing “Jesus Loves Me.”
7. Julianne Moore’s freckles obviously taught her a few things about feeling different and getting over it. Her heroine, Freckleface Strawberry, is the star of her own series.
8. Jamie Lee Curtis has co-authored, with Laura Cornell, eight books for children, covering every topic from empowerment (Big Words for Little People) to self-control (It’s Hard to Be Five) to imagination and loss (Where do Balloons Go?).
9. Anyone with siblings can relate to Ray Romano’s Raymie, Dickie and the Bean: Why I Love and Hate My Brothers. Except maybe the part where they’re called Raymie, Dickie and the Bean, I mean.
10. A-Rod may be taking a cue from his, uh, friend, Madonna. His book, Out of the Ballpark, is autobiographical, telling the story of a young A-Rod who just wanted to play ball.
Looking for smart gift ideas? In search of a new quirky t-shirt? Head over to the mental_floss store.
Comments (22)
Comment
- Follow mental_floss
You forgot madonna, sigh. But you also forgot Julie Andrews who wrote a great book about whangdoodles a few years back.
posted by Valerie on 4-2-2009 at 6:40 pm
You forgot Fred Gwynne “Hermann Munster”. He wrote three books, Pondlarker, A Chocolate Moose for Dinner, and The King Who Rained. I’ve actually read the last two and they’re great books that use homonymns to put a off-kilter spin on well-known sayings.
posted by Myra on 4-2-2009 at 6:45 pm
I’m not really sure we can say that Adrienne really forgot any celebrity author. It is a Quick 10 after all, not a quick 100. No matter which 10 you choose, you’re going to miss out on others.
Anyway, I picked up a book by Jamie Lee Curtis called the Human Race or something like that, it was actually really good!
posted by CK on 4-2-2009 at 6:56 pm
What about Jimmy Buffet, he’s written two childrens books with his daughter. ‘Jolly Mon’ and ‘Trouble Dolls’
The lead singer (Ken Block) and bass player (Jett Beres) from Sister Hazel have also written a book called ‘Starfish’
posted by Chris Schwarz on 4-2-2009 at 7:43 pm
Micheal Ian Black has one called Chicken Cheeks… it’s about animal butts… perfect.
posted by becca on 4-2-2009 at 8:51 pm
LL Cool J put out a book for young kids called “And the Winner is…” It actually comes with a “rap and read along” cd so your kids can rap WITH LL!
posted by marc on 4-2-2009 at 9:29 pm
What about John Lithgow? He wrote several children’s books. My favorite is Marsupial Sue.
posted by Nik on 4-2-2009 at 11:07 pm
Jay Leno had one out called “If Roast Beef Could Fly” based on some anecdote of his childhood; it cluttered up remainder tables for a long time.
posted by VM on 4-3-2009 at 2:45 am
I have John Lithgow’s books. Very cute. Fergie, aka Sarah, ex-wife of Prince Andrew, has a series of books out about a helicopter. Can’t recall the name of the helicopter.
posted by Carol on 4-3-2009 at 5:58 am
I have an autographed copy of Cheech Marin’s “Cheech the School Bus Driver,” easily one of my proudest possessions.
posted by Nathan Miller on 4-3-2009 at 7:55 am
One of Jamie Lee’s best books(in my opinion) is Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born. BEST book EVER!
And speaking of Fred Gwynne, he wrote more than three books. Chocolate Moose for Dinner was mentioned, but there was also The King Who Rained and The 16 Hand Horse. Very punny.
posted by Beth on 4-3-2009 at 9:10 am
How about Paul McCartney?! I loved his book.
posted by BH on 4-3-2009 at 9:32 am
Billy Crystal wrote “I Already Know I Love You” with Elizabeth Sayles for his granddaughter. It’s a really sweet story.
posted by irish lass on 4-3-2009 at 11:50 am
I love Lithgow’s Micawber! Lithgow is also an accomplished children’s singer and entertainer.
Don’t forget Billy Crystal, and Skeletor, I mean, Maria Shriver.
posted by Marion on 4-3-2009 at 1:10 pm
Billy Crystal co-wrote “I Already Know I Love You” with Elizabeth Sayles. Very touching sweet book about a Grandpa and Granddaughter.
posted by Irish Lass on 4-3-2009 at 2:12 pm
Being a musicina, I am partial to John Lithgow’s “The Remarkable Farkle McBride.” A greta book , ny kids love it…
posted by Justin L on 4-3-2009 at 2:45 pm
Another one for the list: Spike Lee and wife wrote two great books that my son loves: “Please, Baby, Please” and “Please, Puppy, Please”.
posted by Christa on 4-3-2009 at 3:21 pm
I think that TO needs to re-read his own book. He is not a team player at all! It’s all about him and how much he gets thrown the ball!
posted by Mavis on 4-3-2009 at 4:28 pm
And Penn Jillette wrote a noir mystery
entitled Socks – great read
posted by Cineaste on 4-3-2009 at 8:07 pm
Re: Carol.
It might be a bit late to post, but the name of the books by Sarah Ferguson is “Budgie the Little helicopter”. Bless!
posted by Blaise on 4-6-2009 at 6:34 am
Julie Andrews has written quite a few children’s books, although I hear she dislikes being called a “celebrity author.”
posted by Heather on 6-24-2009 at 11:58 am
if these books teach morals or values great.at least they are using “star power”
to help in an educational way,that you can see or read in this case,not just throwing money at Africa or some other star charity hub.
posted by Vonbraun on 11-18-2009 at 5:35 am