They're gorgeous, rich, famous, and … children's book authors? So many celebrities have tried (and succeeded!) at penning books geared toward young kids. From the President to the United States to one of the most famous comedians on Earth to a member of the royal family, these 25 celebrities who wrote children's books will surely surprise you.
Can you believe #20?!
Image via David Shankbone/Flickr
Julie Andrews, 'The Very Fairy Princess'
Julie Andrews and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton, are authors of The New York Times best-selling Very Fairy Princess series. The books are great for kids 3 to 6 years and all focus on Gerry, the very fairy princess and the adventures she encounters at school.
And you thought her talents stopped at Mary Poppins.
Sting, 'Rock Steady'
In Rock Steady, Sting adapts the lyrics of his own song to give the tale of Noah's Ark a modern spin for kids 5 and up.
Melissa Gilbert, 'Daisy and Josephine'
She isn't just Laura Ingalls Wilder, she's a best-selling author. Melissa Gilbert's adorable picture book, Daisy and Josephine, which is about a shy little girl who gets a dog to keep her company, is perfect for kids between the ages of 4 and 8 years old. And perfect for showing kids that it's okay to be shy!
Jim Carrey, 'How Roland Rolls'
Amazon describes the funnyman's book, How Roland Rolls, as a "story that shows humanity's interconnectedness through the metaphor of a wave in the ocean." Great for kids 4 to 8.
Brooke Shields, 'It's the Best Day Ever, Dad!'
She models. She acts. She sells furniture. Oh, and she wrote a children's book, It's the Best Day Ever, Dad! Shields' book, which is meant for kids ages 4 to 8, is an ode to dads and their daughters.
Jamie Lee Curtis
Did you know that Jamie Lee Curtis has written 15 children's books? And most of them are New York Times best-sellers? Her books range in age and subject, but they run the gamut from Big Words for Little People to Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day.
Katie Couric, 'The Brand New Kid'
She may be one of America's most famous journalists, but to some kids, she's just the author of their favorite book. Couric's book, The Brand New Kid, is great for kids 5 and up, and it tells the story of Lazlo S. Gasky, the "different" new kid at school, and how two girls learn how to go against the grain and befriend him.
Queen Latifah, 'Queen of the Scene'
She's a Grammy-winner, an actress, and an author with her children's book, Queen of the Scene. Queen of the Scene is perfect for kids 3 to 8 and shows how little girls can do anything little boys can do.
Barack Obama, 'Of Thee I Sing'
Just because he's the leader of the free world doesn't mean he doesn't have time to write a children's book. In Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, President Obama honors 13 ground-breaking Americans and tries to convey the message that we all have potential to achieve our biggest dreams. It's perfect for kids in kindergarten to 12 years old.
Steve Martin, 'Late for School'
He became a respected and well-known author for adults with Shopgirl, but Steve Martin also is a children's book author with books like Late for School. The book, which is for kids 5 and up, tells the story, in a hilarious way that only Martin could, of the adventures that happen on the way to school.
Madonna, 'The English Roses'
Madonna's beautifully illustrated children's book series, The English Roses, revolve around five girls and the adventures they go through together. From worrying if one girl will move away to dealing with a baby sister, kids ages 8 to 12 are sure to delight in these gorgeous books.
Prince Charles, 'The Old Man of Lochnagar'
Before he was Kate Middleton's father-in-law, Prince Charles was a children's book author (among, you know, other things), writing The Old Man of Lochnagar. The book, which is intended for children 3 and up, revolves around an old man's adventures in the Scottish countryside and all the crazy characters he meets. From a grouse who repels visitors to the miniature green people of Gorm, your little one's imagination will be delighted with this tale.
Will Smith, 'Just the Two of Us'
After his hit song by the same name, Will Smith wrote Just the Two of Us, a sweet ode to fatherhood, that chronicles a father's love as his son grows into a man. Perfect for kids ages 4 to 8.
Tori Spelling, 'Presenting ... Tallulah'
Reality star and best-selling author Tori Spelling penned her first children's book recently, Presenting … Tallulah, which is great for girls 4 to 8. Presenting … Tallulah tells the story of a little girl who's tired of being told to be quiet; to not get dirty; and to not wear jeans. A great book for teaching little girls that not everything they do needs to be girly.
Julianne Moore, 'Freckleface Strawberry'
Julianne Moore's sweet book, Freckleface Strawberry, is great for kids 3 to 8, and tells the story of a girl who's different from everyone else. It's a sweet story and good way to teach kids to accept their, and others', differences.
Tyra Banks, 'Modelland'
Tyra Banks wrote a young adult novel a few years ago, aptly titled, Modelland. The consensus? Fierce. The fantasy book, which is meant for kids 12 and up, essentially chronicles Tyra's life as a model, but does so with larger than life characters, such as the Intoxabellas, and unbelievable settings, such as the beastly Catwalk Corridor.
Molly Shannon, 'Tilly the Trickster'
Molly Shannon's Tilly the Trickster is about a mischievous girl who loves causing trouble and playing tricks on everyone she meets — her mom, dad, friends. But when the tables are turned and Tilly is the one who has a joke played on her, she realizes that maybe it's time to change her ways. Great for kids 4 to 8.
Dolly Parton, 'I Am a Rainbow'
Dolly Parton's children's book, I Am a Rainbow, shows kids how to identify and talk about their feelings by using colors. Tickled pink? Green with envy? It's a fun way for kids to learn about emotions, and perfect for children ages 3 to 5.
John Travolta, 'Propeller One-Way Night Coach'
John Travolta's children's book, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, which is touted as a "fable for all ages," tells the story of Jeff, a little boy who's forced to move to Hollywood with his mother. The upside? Jeff finally gets to connect with airplane food, first class flights, and flying — all the things he's always dreamed of.
Paul McCartney, 'High in the Clouds'
Nothing will top his music career, but Paul McCartney tried his hand at being a children's author with High in the Clouds, a 96-page book, which takes the reader on the fantastical journey of woodland creatures, beautiful tropical islands, and how they're being ruined by the polluted Megatropolis. Can the animals defeat the wicked Gretsch, who is determined to destroy the world?
Laura and Jenna Bush, 'Read All About It'
The former First Lady and her daughter, Jenna, teamed up to write Read All About It, a story about Tyrone, a boy who loves everything … except reading. A great story to help kids 4 to 8 see the beauty in reading, and help them understand that it's not always boring!
Joy Behar, 'Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog'
View co-host Joy Behar wrote Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog, a 32-page book about breaking the ice among mixed-breed dogs. A great way to help kids learn about different races and how not everyone is just like them — and that's okay!
Billy Crystal, 'I Already Know I Love You'
Billy Crystal's sweet book, I Already Know I Love You, tells the story of a grandpa's anticipation for his new grandchild. He can't wait to take him to baseball games and to take naps together. Adorable. Great for kids 4 to 8.
Whoopi Goldberg, 'Sugar Plum Ballerinas'
Whoopi Goldberg isn't just a comedian and talk show host, she's the author of the children's series, Sugar Plum Ballerinas, which revolve around Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson, a girl who's forced to move away from everything she knows and loves in order to join a ballet troupe for her ballet-crazy mother. The books are perfect for kids ages 1 and up and show how even the shyest girl can eventually, with a little help, emerge from her shell.
