Monday, August 20, 2012

Famous Children's Book Authors

Famous children's book authors - A former NBA bad boy with a colorful past reportedly traded it all for the colorful pages of an upcoming children's book. See which other athletes, entertainers and politicians switched gears and tried their hand at writing books for the Reading Rainbow crowd. LeVar Burton + Reading Rainbow + iPad app

50 Cent

Most know 50 Cent for his hard-as-nails hip-hop persona, but he showed his vulnerable side in a 2011 cautionary tale for teens. 50 Cent + Playground, 50 Cent + TMT Promotions, 50 Cent + Floyd Mayweather, 50 Cent "New Day", 50 Cent + car accident + New York
Tiki & Ronde Barber

These NFL twins teamed up to pen an inspirational sports-centric book about perseverance and working together. Tiki Barber + New York Giants, Ronde Barber + Tampa Bay Buccaneers, By My Brother's Side, Tiki Barber divorces pregnant wife, Tiki Barber + Traci Lynn Johnson, Atiim Kiambu Hakeem-Ah Barber, Jamael Orondé Barber
Jimmy Buffett

The "Margaritaville" singer-songwriter set out to attract a younger generation of Parrotheads with a picture book co-written with his daughter. Parrotheads + Jimmy Buffett fans, Trouble Dolls + Jimmy Buffett, A Pirate Looks At Fifty, Margaritaville entertainment complex + Atlantic City,
Laura Bush

The former first lady channeled her past career as a librarian and educator for this collaboration with her daughter Jenna. Read All About It! + Laura Bush, Laura Bush + International AIDS Conference, Laura Bush + National Book Festival + 2001 to 2008
Stephen Colbert

This comedic faux pundit parlayed his trademark satire into a 2012 children's release. I Am a Pole (And So Can You!), America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't, The Colbert Report +  two-year contract extension, StePhest Colbchella '012: RocktAugustFest
Chris Colfer

Kurt Hummel from "Glee" has become an influential character for teens, but 21-year-old Colfer's new book series takes aim at tweens. Chris Colfer + 'TIME' 100 Most Influential People, Struck by Lightning + Chris Colfer, The Little Leftover Witch + Chris Colfer + Disney Channel

Taye Diggs

Prime-time star Diggs focused his "little lit" efforts on bolstering kids' self-esteem. Scott Leo Diggs, Taye Diggs + Chocolate Me

Fran Drescher

The star of '90s hit "The Nanny" proved there's more to her than just that signature whiny voice; her first kids' book debuted last year. Being Wendy + Fran Drescher, Cancer Schmancer + Fran Drescher, Enter Whining + Fran Drescher, Hotel Transylvania, Happily Divorced

Bob Dylan

Though he was involved in a recent literary scandal, the folk legend made literary news in 2010 with a book based on his song lyrics. Jonah Lehrer + Bob Dylan + fabricated quotes, Man Gave Names to All the Animals, Man Gave Names to All the Animals + Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan + Tempest,

Ricky Gervais

The comedian is known for scathing send-ups of Hollywood's elite and biting cable TV sitcoms, but for kids, he sticks to goofy nonsense. Ricky Gervais + Golden Globes host, Life's Too Short, Learn English + Ricky Gervais, Derek + Ricky Gervais, Ricky Gervais + animal testing

Callista Gingrich

The wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich had a best-seller with the 2011 historic travels of Ellis the Elephant. Callista Gingrich + Sweet Land of Liberty, Land of the Pilgrims Pride: Ellis Discovers the 13 Colonies

Perez Hilton

Salacious gossip isn't the only thing this blogger knows how to write; he released a 2011 book about not fitting in. Mario Lavandeira, The Boy With Pink Hair, True Bloggywood Stories + Perez Hilton, Red Carpet Suicide + Perez Hilton

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

This legendary former Lakers MVP is quite the history buff, and his 2012 educational book helps kids explore the past. Los Angeles Lakers, Kareem Abdul Jabbar top plays, What Color Is My World? The Lost History of African American Inventors, Giant Steps + Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Black Profiles in Courage + Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Kareem Abdul Jabbar + leukemia, Kareem Abdul Jabbar + Guys with Kids

Madonna

Back in 2003, Madonna added "author" to a laundry list of job descriptions that includes pop icon, director and fashion designer. W.E., Material Girl clothing line, The English Roses + Madonna, Mr. Peabody's Apples, Yakov and the Seven Thieves, Lotsa de Casha, Madonna booed in Paris, Madonna + Truth or Dare shoes

Eli & Peyton Manning

The Super Bowl MVP and his Bronco brother worked with their former NFL player dad for a 2009 feel-good book. Eli Manning + New York Giants + Super Bowl MVP, Denver Broncos, Archie Manning, Family Huddle, Manning brothers + Manning Passing Academy

Paul McCartney

Sir Paul is a well-known animal activist, so it's fitting that his kids' book features animals fighting for their rights. Paul McCartney + Indian elephant, paul mccartney high in the clouds, Many Years From Now + Paul McCartney, Blackbird Singing: Poems and Lyrics, 1965-1999 , Paul McCartney + $1.57 + Olympics opening ceremony

President Barack Obama

In his 2010 book, the president shared the inspirational stories of such American icons as Georgia O'Keeffe and Cesar Chavez, in order to help today's kids honor the past. Georgia O'Keeffe, Cesar Chavez, Of Thee I Sing + Barack Obama, Dreams from My Father, The Audacity of Hope, Sasha + Malia Obama + Manhattan + Strand Bookstore, Barack Obama + reading Where the Wild Things Are, American Grown + Michelle Obama

Queen Latifah

The pioneering rapper-turned-actress had a late-'80s hit with "Ladies First" and keeps the feminist spirit going in this story that proves girls can do anything. Dana Owens, Ladies First + Queen Latifah, Queen of the Scene + Queen Latifah, Put on Your Crown + Queen Latifah, Ice Age 4 Continental Drift, Lifetime + Steel Magnolias

LeAnn Rimes

The pop-country singer put out a 2003 book about a skittish young jaguar who faces her fears. Jag + Leann Rimes, Jag's New Friend + Leann Rimes, What I Cannot Change + LeAnn Rimes, Leann Rimes + major dental surgery

Tori Spelling

While Spelling's books for adults focus on celebrity, motherhood and crafting, her kids' book looks at a modern-day pampered princess. Tori Spelling books, Presenting Tallulah, Craft Wars + Tori Spelling, Jake and the Never Land Pirates + Tori Spelling,

Sting

This international pop star reworked a kid-friendly biblical story for his 2001 picture book. Gordon Sumner, Rock Steady: A Story of Noah's Ark, Broken Music + Sting, Sting + Russian protest punk band

Justin Tuck

For his 2011 debut, this NFL defensive end fondly remembered his animated upbringing in a big family. New York Giants, Justin Tuck + Home-Field Advantage, Tuck's Rush for Literacy, Justin Tuck + back in training camp

Kristi Yamaguchi

The figure-skating gold medalist and reality TV star encouraged kids to follow their dreams in her 2011 book. Kristi Yamaguchi + Dancing with the Stars, Dream Big, Little Pig, It's a Big World Little Pig, Kristi Yamaguchi + Mitt Romney ad, Always Dream Foundation, Kristi Yamaguchi + Tsu.ya

Al Yankovic

The king of pop parody dropped the "Weird" from his name when his book on childhood dreams went to print in 2011. When I Grow Up + Al Yankovic, Face to Face with 'Weird Al' Yankovic