By Camryn Vodden and Ekta Rajagopalan
Celebrities writing books for children have become ever-more popular, blending showbiz and imagination for little ones to get lost entirely in. In this article, we have explored and researched some of the most popular and obscure titles written by famous, familiar faces and the reasoning behind some of these titles being written into existence.
Yoga Babies by Fearne Cotton, Illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
Previous presenter and current author Fearne Cotton published Yoga Babies in September 2017. Focusing on the importance of stretching for babies and its benefits for their well-being, Yoga Babies follows Rex, Prakash, Maya, Emily and Winnie and their yoga skills! Forging a link between babies and adults, Yoga Babies explores the zen often associated with practising mindfulness at different times and how this affects mood and emotions.
The Girl with the Lost Smile by Miranda Hart, Illustrated by Kate Hindley
Published in October 2017, The Girl with the Lost Smile tackles difficult themes of mental health in an extremely light-hearted and comedic manner, using the protagonist Chloe’s smile as an extended metaphor and microcosm throughout the book to navigate this. Starting the novel on Chloe’s eleventh birthday, she loses her smile and is unsure how she will ever get it back. Taking younger readers on an imaginative adventure and mission, Hart utilises happiness and sadness to reflect on how they are always inextricably bound to find their way back to their old selves.
C is for Country by Lil Nas X, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III
Published in 2021 and primarily focused on the alphabet, Lil Nas X told Penguin Random House, “C is for Country goes out to every amazing kid out there who sang along to Old Town Road on repeat and helped change my life forever. I hope this book inspires them and makes learning the alphabet a thousand times more fun. I’m so happy with how it turned out, and I can’t wait for the world to see it.”
The book is centred around the protagonist, a young cowboy, and his sidekick pony, Panini. Children are encouraged to explore the world using the alphabet to learn about themselves and build strong relationships with others.
Your First Baby’s Word will be DADA and Everything is MAMA by Jimmy Fallon
Your Baby’s First Word will be DADA, published in June 2015, and Everything is MAMA, published in October 2017, are written by world-renowned American comedian and television host Jimmy Fallon. Fallon follows the blossoming maternity and paternity process, depicting the moment of a baby’s first word and the development of its independent and collaborative relationship with its mother and father. The books are especially appealing to children because of the comparisons Fallon makes throughout them to animals and objects!
Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison
From Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o comes a powerful book about self-esteem and learning that true beauty comes from within. Sulwe has skin the colour of midnight. She is darker than anyone in her family. She’s teased at school and tries all kinds of things to make her skin lighter. She wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. But one night, a star visits her and tells her how the world learned to appreciate the value of beauty and night. Published in 2019 by Simon and Schuster with beautiful illustrations by Vashti Harrison, this book is a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their unique beauty.
Of Thee, I Sing by Barack Obama, Illustrated by Loren Long
Published in 2010 by Doubleday Children’s Books, Of Thee, I Sing is an inspirational picture book for young readers written by the former President of the United States, Barack Obama. In this letter to his daughters and all the children of America and the world, Obama pays tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped his nation. From the artistry of Georgia O’Keefe to the patriotism of George Washington, Obama sees the traits of these heroes in all children, including his own. This book is about the potential within us to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths while keeping our childhood innocence alive.
The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak
You might think a book with no pictures would be boring. Wrong! This book works in quite a different way. Everything written on the page has to be said by the person reading it aloud. Even if the words say, “I am a monkey who taught myself to read” or “Blaggity Blaggity”. That’s the rule. This delight of a book will make reading sessions with your children a laughter-filled experience! It’s funny and will make you and your children laugh until your belly aches. The acclaimed actor also developed an interactive book called My Book with No Pictures, where children will fill in the blanks with their chosen words and make the grown-ups read it aloud. Let’s see how long you last without bursting into laughter!
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