Celebrity+Authors+of+Children's+Books

We’ve seen celebrities make their own contributions to the World of Children’s Literature with the best of intensions. Most of these celebrities are not in need of earning another dollar outside of their established areas of expertise. I believe that you can see their honest effort in word choice and theme that makes most of these “offerings” worthy of purchase. Unfortunately, there are a few that I think you should be leery… sometimes we assume that the text will be appropriate because we enjoy a given celebrity’s work outside of Children’s Literature…this can be a dangerous assumption and I recommend that you read through a text prior to purchase, so you are not “stuck” with a book undeserving of being placed on your child‘s bookshelf.. Here are some books written by celebrities that I feel comfortable recommending to you. First of all, at the top of my list are books written and illustrated by the team of Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell. __When I Was Little__ was their “first try” at what would soon turn into a new and successful second career. This book is written from the viewpoint of a 4 year old girl and what she once did “when she was little.” When I taught first grade, this story was a great “spring board” in creative writing, for my 6 year old first graders could certainly recall the silly events they were once a part of in their “younger years.” __Tell Me Again: About the Night I Was Born__, is a loving explanation of welcoming an adopted child into the family. __It’s Hard to be FIVE__ is the humorous portrayal of a five year old who is experiencing difficulty in “sitting still”, “learning not to hit” and so many of those “rules” that make us “more human”. Their latest team effort is entitled __My Mommy Hung the Moon: A Love Story__. The following excerpt will help you appreciate their quest to unveil the unconditional love a child has for his/her mom: “ Mommy is the best at everything- not only does she carpool and untangle kites, she seems to light up the sun with her love.” This book could easily be a gift for a child to give his/her mother on Valentine’s Day. Finally, I love __I Know Some Big Words__. … “I know some Big words, I’ll teach them to you. Although you are small, you can us Big Words too. Big Words aren’t scary. They’re big fun to learn. I was taught once, and now it’s your turn.” Jamie Lee Curtis helps to show that words connect us all and can be used in a meaningful, constructive, powerful way. I enjoy this team of writer/illustrator because they think like a child. Plus, they choose topics that teach a lesson or promote appropriate behavior. Most importantly, I can visualize a parent reading their written work with his/her child. Isn’t that the highest compliment we can give a writer of children’s literature? In a world of Wii and 3D Movies, the quiet time shared with a child, reading on the couch, is a priceless memory. I recommend the penned work of CBS Anchor, Katie Couric. She writes as how a mother should write when watching her own child deal with being “the new kid” in the story named just that: __The New Kid.__ She writes a second story with the same characters from her first and tackles the theme of “disappointment and failure”. In __Blue Ribbon Day__, Couric successfully teaches the reader to appreciate failure, so that success is that much sweeter. I enjoy the perky rhythm of rhyme throughout these stories that make the read an easy one for young children to enjoy. You may find this difficult to believe, but I also recommend Madonna’s contribution to Children’s Literature. Her first five books can now be purchased in a box set. The first in this series shares lessons between five girls who are the best of friends, but deal with rivalry, envy and jealousy. __The English Roses__ is worth a read. __Mr. Peabody’s Apples__ teaches the reader to choose your words carefully to avoid causing harm to others. __Yahov and the Seven Thieves__ helps the reader view selfishness as an unattractive trait. Finally, __Lotsa de Casha__ sheds light on how money can not buy happiness. John Lithrow, star of __3rd Rock from the Sun__, in my opinion was quite “unique” in his leading role in this hit series, and tends to let this same characteristic overflow into his children’s books. His latest book, __Mahalia Mouse Goes to College__, is enticing yet corky. His choice of words/phrases are a bit odd, yet it will encourage a conversation between parent and child in order to explain their meaning. What I do find delightful, is the cd accompaniment with the book read by John Lithrow. Also, I congratulate Mr. Lithrow for taking the time to tour the country visiting with children and their parents. Sure, his tour will promote sales, but again, Mr. Lithrow probably doesn’t need the extra recognition…judging from what I have read, I believe John Lithrow enjoys meeting his readers and wants to make a positive contribution to literacy. That seems to be the motivation for most “celebrities turned children’s author“, and I applaud them for it. Others like Jimmy Buffet, LeAnn Rimes, Steve Martin, and Jay Leno have put pen to paper too. I have my opinion about them…some are good and some are not so good. You can be the critic before you purchase a book for your child … that’s my best advice. Todd Cole, Teacher of Masterpieces Laurel Elementary