Children’s books by celebs find success on the shelves

It’s hard to remember the first time I realized a children’s book I enjoyed had been written by a celebrity. Whether it was Fred Gwynne’s “A Chocolate Moose for Dinner,” Alan Arkin’s “The Lemming Condition,” or one of the many award-winning books written by Jamie Lee Curtis, books penned by popular actors and musicians have been around for a while and continue to find success on the shelves.

A Chocolate Moose for Dinner
by Fred Gwynne

Last fall, talk show comedian Jimmy Fallon was back on the best-seller list with “Everything is Mama,” the follow-up to his 2015 board book, “Your Baby’s First Word Will Be Dada.” I gave his first book as a baby shower present and it was well-received. There isn’t a storyline, just lots of animals making their sounds and the baby animals repeating with “Dada!” With “Everything is Mama,” Fallon tries to introduce children to new words, but the baby animals continue to say “Mama.”

The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z
by Steve Martin and Roz Chast

Another comedian-turned-author is Steve Martin, who wrote “The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z” and “Late for School.” “The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z” is a fun picture book for parents and children alike. The illustrator, New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, provides hilarious drawings that all pertain to the featured letter.

Imagine by John Lennon

The late, great musician John Lennon was on the best-seller list last fall with “Imagine,” published about his 1971 song of the same name. The lyrics of Lennon’s powerful song are illustrated by Jean Jullien and follow a little pigeon on a journey to spread peace around the world, to every bird. This book was published on the International Day of Peace (Sept. 21) in 2017 in partnership with Amnesty International and included a foreword by Yoko Ono Lennon.

For a silly read-aloud, look no further than “Weird Al” Yankovic, who wrote “When I Grow Up” and “My New Teacher and Me!” “When I Grow Up” explores one 8-year-old child’s desire to figure out what he wants to be, such as a chef, a snail trainer, a giraffe milker, a movie director or a deodorant tester. “My New Teacher and Me!” embraces a child’s ability to tell exaggerated stories, such as being late to school because he was digging to China but got distracted by finding dinosaur bones!

I Got Two Dogs by John Lithgow

Actor John Lithgow has written 11 award-winning books including the “Animal Adventure” series and the “Lithgow Palooza” series. These are silly books that are sure to make kids giggle. “I Got Two Dogs” is a favorite sing-along book that parents will enjoy reading to little ones. I can’t rave enough about how fun Lithgow’s books are to read – and sing – out loud.

Chicken Cheeks by Michael Ian Black

Speaking of silly books, check out anything by Michael Ian Black. “From A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea” to “I’m Bored!” to “Chicken Cheeks” and “The Purple Kangaroo,” Black brings his unique style of comedy to the page with engaging scenarios sure to make children chuckle. “Chicken Cheeks” is about a bear stacking up different animals in an effort to reach honey and is mostly just funny ways to describe butts – a fun topic for any child – such as duck tail, moose caboose, penguin patootie, polar bear derriere, hound dog heinie, and the title’s inspiration, chicken cheeks.

The Book With No Pictures
by B.J. Novak 

Other lovable books by celebs include:

·         BJ Novak – “The Book with No Pictures” (a favorite in my family).

·         Julianne Moore – The “Freckleface Strawberry” series is a must-read for any redhead!

·         Billy Crystal’s “I Already Know I Love You” and the follow-up, “Grandpa’s Little One,” about when his granddaughter turns a year old.

·         Musician Bob Dylan has adapted several of his songs into children’s books, including “Forever Young” and “Man Gave Names to All the Animals.”

·         Kelly Clarkson’s series inspired by her daughter – “River Rose and the Magical Lullaby” and “River Rose and the Magical Christmas.”

·         Spike Lee has written several kids’ books including “Please, Baby, Please.”

·         Pharrell Williams – “Happy,” based on the 2014 catchy song, is a book is full of real photographs of children from various cultures celebrating what it means to be happy.

·         Chelsea Clinton – “She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World” introduces readers to 13 inspirational women who helped change American history.