When Actors Write Kid's Books
by yrnej | created - 23 Jul 2018 | updated - 24 Jul 2018 | PublicWhich of these children's books written by actors sound most interesting?
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1. Julie Andrews
Actress | The Sound of Music
Julia Elizabeth Wells was born on October 1, 1935, in England. Her mother, Barbara Ward (Morris), and stepfather, both vaudeville performers, discovered her freakish but undeniably lovely four-octave singing voice and immediately got her a singing career. She performed in music halls throughout her...
(as Julie Andrews Edwards) - A Very Fairy Princess series (eight books) - While her friends and family may not believe in fairies, Geraldine knows, deep down, that she is a VERY fairy princess. From morning to night, Gerry does everything that fairy princesses do. But it isn't all twirls and tiaras - as every fairy princess knows, dirty fingernails and scabby knees are just the price you pay for a perfect day! - Also the Little Bo series (four books), the Dumpy series (12 books) and six other books
2. Joy Behar
Actress | Ice Age: Continental Drift
Joy Behar was born on October 7, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA as Josephina Victoria Occhiuto. She is an actress and writer, known for Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012), Hall Pass (2011) and Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). She has been married to Steve Janowitz since August 11, ...
Sheetzu Caca Poopoo: My Kind of Dog - When Max the mixed-breed meets a pack of snobby purebred dogs in the dog run, he can't understand why they don't want to play with him and his mongrel friends. Determined to get everyone to play together, brainy Max comes up with a way to break the ice between the mixed-breeds and the purebreds. Also one other book
3. Michael Ian Black
Actor | Stella
Michael Ian Black was born in Chicago, Illinois, but his family moved to Hillsborough, New Jersey, when he was young. His parents divorced when he was 3. When he was 12, his father died during neurological surgery following a mysterious assault.
Michael attended New York University's Tisch School of...
I'm Bored - Just when a little girl thinks she couldn’t possibly be more bored, she stumbles upon a potato who turns the tables on her by declaring that children are boring. But this girl isn’t going to let a vegetable tell her what’s what, so she sets out to show the unimpressed potato all the amazing things kids can do. Also six other books
4. Jim Carrey
Actor | Bruce Almighty
Jim Carrey, Canadian-born and a U.S. citizen since 2004, is an actor and producer famous for his rubbery body movements and flexible facial expressions. The two-time Golden Globe-winner rose to fame as a cast member of the Fox sketch comedy In Living Color (1990) but leading roles in Ace Ventura: ...
How Roland Rolls - A story about a wave named Roland who's afraid that, one day, when he hits the beach, his life will be over. But when he gets deep, he's struck by the notion that he's not just a wave - he's the whole big, wide ocean!
5. Kelly Clarkson
Soundtrack | The Kelly Clarkson Show
Kelly Brianne Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas, to Jeanne Ann (Rose), a teacher of English, and Stephen Michael Clarkson, an engineer. She was the first winner of the series American Idol, in 2002. Kelly is also a strong believer in God. She has been married to Brandon Blackstock since ...
River Rose and the Magical Lullaby - It's a big day for River Rose—she's going to the zoo! But when she's too excited to fall asleep the night before, it takes a magical lullaby from Mom to send River Rose off on a dream adventure! Come along on this bedtime journey with an original lullaby that parents and kids are sure to love! Also one other book
6. Billy Crystal
Actor | Forget Paris
Billy Crystal was born on March 14, 1948 in Long Beach, Long Island, New York. He is the youngest of three sons born to Helen (Gabler) and Jack Crystal. His father was a well-known concert promoter who co-founded Commodore Records and his mother was a homemaker. His family were Jewish immigrants ...
I Already Know I Love You - Grandpa can hardly wait! Starting with the anticipation of a new baby's arrival, this book celebrates all the moments, great and small, that a new grandpa is ready to share. Whether it's taking a nap together or attending baseball games, this grandpa just can't wait for his grandchild to be born. Also one other book
7. Jamie Lee Curtis
Actress | True Lies
Jamie Lee Curtis was born on November 22, 1958 in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of legendary actors Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis. She got her big break at acting in 1978 when she won the role of Laurie Strode in Halloween (1978). After that, she became famous for roles in movies like Trading...
Today I Feel Silly & Other Moods That Make My Day - Silly, cranky, excited or sad—everyone has moods that can change each day. And that's okay! Follow the boisterous, bouncing protagonist as she explores her moods and how they change from day to day. Also 12 other books
8. Fran Drescher
Writer | The Nanny
Francine Joy Drescher was born on September 30, 1957 in Flushing, Queens, New York, to Sylvia Drescher, a bridal consultant, and Mort Drescher, a naval systems analyst. Fran, as she is called, attended Hillcrest High School in New York with another now-famous name, Ray Romano. She was a studious ...
Being Wendy - A girl lives in an odd town where everyone has to wear a box. These boxes are labeled with what each person does. These boxes are worn for life and Wendy has to choose hers soon. How will she ever decide on just one box? She's interested in so many things! Wendy's moxie makes her break out of her box. And she sets the whole town on end when she does!
9. Jeff Foxworthy
Actor | Racing Stripes
Foxworthy was born Jeffrey Marshall Foxworthy in Atlanta, Georgia on September 6, 1958.
He followed in his father's footsteps working for IBM in Georgia, but on a dare from friends, he did a few minutes of comedy at an Atlanta comedy club. A few months later, Foxworthy quit his job and started on ...
Dirt on My Shirt: Selected Poems - This collection of poems creates a neighborhood filled with fun, family, friends and more. Here you'll meet Cousin Lizzy, Uncle Ed and Aunt Foo Foo, cows with horns that don't go beep, dads in sweaters, also sheep. These poems capture the very essence of being a kid. Also two other books
10. Ricky Gervais
Writer | The Office
Ricky Dene Gervais was born in a suburb of Reading, Berkshire, to Eva Sophia (House) and Lawrence Raymond Gervais, who was a hod carrier and labourer. His father was born in Ontario, Canada, of French-Canadian descent, and his mother was English. He was educated at Ashmead Comprehensive School and ...
The Flanimals series (five books) - Blimple Sprent, Clunge Ambler, Glonk and Wobboid Mump are just some of the weird and wonderful creatures you'll meet. Young children will love the pictures, adults will laugh at the descriptions of the seemingly useless animals and their behaviors.
11. Kathie Lee Gifford
Actress | The First Wives Club
Kathie Lee Gifford was the co-host of the fourth hour of "TODAY," alongside Hoda Kotb from 2008 until April 5th, 2019. The Gifford-Kotb hour had been hailed as appointment television by Entertainment Weekly, and "TODAY's happy hour" by USA Today. In 2014, Gifford penned the critically acclaimed "...
The Gift That I Can Give - A heartwarming story of how all children have something they can do today to make a difference. Whether it is being kind, giving a family member an extra-big squeeze, visiting someone who is sick or cheering on a friend, this story will inspire children, leading them to want to read it again and again. Also four other books
12. Whoopi Goldberg
Actress | Ghost
Whoopi Goldberg was born Caryn Elaine Johnson in the Chelsea section of Manhattan on November 13, 1955. Her mother, Emma (Harris), was a teacher and a nurse, and her father, Robert James Johnson, Jr., was a clergyman. Whoopi's recent ancestors were from Georgia, Florida, and Virginia. She worked in...
The Sugar Plum Ballerinas series (six books) - Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson does not want to be a beautiful ballerina, and she does not want to leave her friends in Apple Creek. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop her ballet-crazy mother from moving them to Harlem, or from enrolling Al at the Nutcracker School of Ballet. Also two other books
13. Queen Latifah
Actress | Hairspray
Often considered hip-hop's first lady (though some would attribute that to Roxanne Shanté), the woman behind the moniker Queen Latifah was born Dana Elaine Owens on March 18, 1970, in East Orange, New Jersey. She is the daughter of Rita (Bray), a teacher, and Lancelot Owens Sr. She came from a ...
Queen of the Scene - This little ruler of the playground has got game. Basketball, stickball, jump–rope, soccer–there's nothing she won't try. And watch out, boys, because she's representing all the ladies and has girl power to the max.
14. Spike Lee
Director | Do the Right Thing
Spike Lee was born Shelton Jackson Lee on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia. At a very young age, he moved from pre-civil rights Georgia, to Brooklyn, New York. Lee came from artistic, education-grounded background; his father was a jazz musician, and his mother, a schoolteacher. He attended ...
Please, Baby, Please - A behind-the-scenes look at the chills, spills and unequivocal thrills of bringing up baby! Vivid illustrations evoke toddlerhood from sandbox to high chair to crib. Also two other books
15. Jay Leno
Producer | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Jay Leno began his career in night clubs, where he worked 300 nights a year before hitting it big in 1992 with his own late-night talk show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992). By that time he had appeared on television, acted in a few films (American Hot Wax (1978)) but hit paydirt with his ...
How To Be The Funniest Kid in the Whole Wide World (or Just in Your Class) - If you want to be funny, this book is for you! Book of humor and wisecracks contains hundreds of original jokes and bits of advice. Chock-full of knock-knock jokes, hilarious puns and tips for making a career in comedy. Also one other book
16. Shari Lewis
Actress | Lamb Chop's Play-Along
Shari Lewis was born on January 17, 1933 in New York City, New York, USA as Phyllis Naomi Hurwitz. She was an actress and writer, known for Lamb Chop's Play-Along (1992), The Charlie Horse Music Pizza (1998) and Star Trek (1966). She was married to Jeremy Tarcher and Stanley Lewis. She died on ...
The One-Minute Stories series (seven books) - Many of our basic children's stories are well worth passing on as part of our cultural heritage. The only catch is this: These tales were written in another time, when life was lived at a slower pace, with fewer distractions and fewer available forms of entertainment. In their long form, the classic stories often don't fit our present needs. Also the Lamb Chop series (four books)
17. John Lithgow
Actor | 3rd Rock from the Sun
If "born to the theater" has meaning in determining a person's life path, then John Lithgow is a prime example of this truth. He was born in Rochester, New York, to Sarah Jane (Price), an actress, and Arthur Washington Lithgow III, who was both a theatrical producer and director. John's father was ...
The Palooza Readers series (18 books) - A palooza is easy to do! A palooza doesn't cost much (some cost absolutely nothing). A palooza may secretly teach children (and parents!) a thing or two. A palooza is entertaining for the entire family. A palooza depends entirely on the inexhaustible creativity, ingenuity, imagination and sense of fun of young minds. Also The Boredom Blasters series (four books) and 10 other books
18. Mario Lopez
Actor | Saved by the Bell
Born in San Diego, California, on October 10th, 1973, to Mario Sr. and Elvira, Mario Lopez's first professional role was on the series, a.k.a. Pablo (1984). Mario is probably best known to youngsters, however, as A.C. Slater from NBC's popular 1980s teen comedy series Saved by the Bell (1989).
Among...
Mud Tacos - Would you eat a wormy, squirmy mud taco? Marissa loves her big brother, Mario. He always comes up with fun ideas. When playing in their nana's backyard, they decide to make some wormy, squirmy mud tacos. That gives Mario an idea - how about some real tacos for lunch. Before long it is off to the store with Nana. Also one other book
19. Madonna
Actress | Evita
The remarkable, hyper-ambitious Material Girl who never stops reinventing herself, Madonna is a seven-time Grammy Award-winner who has sold over three hundred million records and CDs to adoring fans worldwide. Her film career, however, is another story. Her performances have consistently drawn ...
The English Roses series (12 books) - A story of rivalry and friendship among schoolgirls in contemporary London. Four girls are the very best of friends. They have sleepovers, picnics and ice-skating parties that exclude Binah, a girl with a seemingly perfect life. A feisty, pumpernickel-loving fairy godmother takes them on a magical journey. Also three other books
20. Steve Martin
Writer | Roxanne
Steve Martin was born on August 14, 1945 in Waco, Texas, USA as Stephen Glenn Martin to Mary Lee (née Stewart; 1913-2002) and Glenn Vernon Martin (1914-1997), a real estate salesman and aspiring actor. He was raised in Inglewood and Garden Grove in California. In 1960, he got a job at the Magic ...
The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z! - The ABCs have never had it so good. In twenty-six alliterative couplets, the book conjures up much more than mere apples and zebras. Instead we meet Horace the hare, whose hairdo hides hunchbacks and Ollie the owl, who owed Owen an oboe. Also one other book
21. Tim McGraw
Actor | Tomorrowland
Three-time Grammy Award winner Tim McGraw, the son of former major league reliever Tug McGraw, is a country music superstar who has sold over 40 million albums. Eleven of his album have debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard country album chart and he has had 21 hit No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot ...
My Little Girl - Ordinary days are magical when spent with those you love. Dad and his little girl, along with their very large bloodhound, set off on an ordinary day and turn it into a wonderful adventure. Also two other books
22. Julianne Moore
Actress | The Kids Are All Right
Julianne Moore was born Julie Anne Smith in Fort Bragg, North Carolina on December 3, 1960, the daughter of Anne (Love), a social worker, and Peter Moore Smith, a paratrooper, colonel, and later military judge. Her mother moved to the U.S. in 1951, from Greenock, Scotland. Her father, from ...
The Freckleface Strawberry series (eight books) - If you have freckles, you can try these things: 1) Make them go away. Unless scrubbing doesn't work. 2) Cover them up. Unless your mom yells at you for using a marker. 3) Disappear. There's one other thing you can do: 4) LIVE WITH THEM! Because after all, the things that make you different also make you YOU. Also one other book
23. Rhea Perlman
Actress | Cheers
Rhea Perlman was born on March 31, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA as Rhea Jo Perlman. She is an actress and producer, known for Cheers (1982), Matilda (1996) and Canadian Bacon (1995). She has been married to Danny DeVito since January 28, 1982. They have three children.
The Otto Undercover series (six books) - All about Jake Eboy, known as "Otto Pillip" to disguise his identity. The fake name was created by his parents to protect him. Although he has all kinds of adventures in his self-invented racecar named Racecar, his main aim is to find his parents and defeat their enemies.
24. Bernadette Peters
Actress | The Jerk
Throughout her illustrious career, Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert, and on recordings. She is one of the most critically-acclaimed Broadway performers, having received nominations for seven Tony Awards, winning two, and ...
Broadway Barks - In a park in New York City lives a lonely little dog. He remembers when he used to get taken for walks, fed dinner every night and told he was a good dog. Now, he's all alone and must fend for himself. Then he sees a lady reading in the park and decides to follow her all the way to a place where he might become a star! Also two other books
25. Ray Romano
Actor | Everybody Loves Raymond
Ray Romano grew up in Forest Hills, Queens. He performed in the NYC comedy club circuit before landing a guest spot on The Letterman Show. It was here that he propelled his TV show Everybody Loves Raymond.
He was also the voice of the Mammoth in the extremely successful Ice Age Series Movies.
He is ...
Raymie, Dickie and the Bean: Why I Love and Hate My Brothers - Raymie has two brothers, Dickie and the Bean. One day Raymie's family takes a trip to the amusement park. When they get to the park, Raymie and Dickie can't wait to ride the Vomitizer because it's the scariest ride in the whole park. But first Mom makes them ride on Chuckie the Choo-Choo with Bean. Having a younger brother can really mess up the fun.
26. Jerry Seinfeld
Writer | Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Betty (Hesney) and Kalman Seinfeld. His father was of Hungarian Jewish descent, while Jerry's maternal grandparents, Salha and Selim Hosni, were Syrian Jewish immigrants (from Aleppo). He moved with his family, including sister Carolyn, to ...
Halloween - So the first time you hear the concept of Halloween when you're a kid, your brain can't even understand it. "What is this? What did you say? Someone's giving out candy? Who's giving out candy? EVERYONE WE KNOW is giving out candy? I gotta be a part of this!" Jerry Views on Halloween, from Superman costumes that look like pajamas to the agony of getting bad trick-or-treat candy.
27. Brooke Shields
Actress | The Blue Lagoon
"Want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing". If you have not heard of Brooke Shields before, this tagline from her Calvin Klein Jeans ad had to grab your attention. Not that she has not had a previously noteworthy resume. She was born on May 31, 1965 in New York City and, at age 12,...
Welcome to Your World, Baby - Becoming a big sister is a big event! There's so much to share - and do - and celebrate! Paints a warm and loving picture of the joys of sisterhood in this merry book with exuberant artwork.
28. Jada Pinkett Smith
Actress | The Matrix Revolutions
Jada Koren Pinkett Smith was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Robsol Grant Pinkett, Jr., a contractor, and Adrienne Banfield-Jones, a nurse. They divorced after only a few months of marriage. Her father is of African-American descent and her mother is of Afro-Caribbean ancestry (from Barbados and ...
Girls Hold Up This World - This celebrates the warmth and heart of young women. While so many girls today struggle with self-doubt, this poem focuses on the power ALL girls have within them, regardless of color or creed. The perfect book for mothers, daughters, sisters and friends to give and to share again and again.
29. Tori Spelling
Actress | Scary Movie 2
Tori Spelling was born in Los Angeles, the daughter of author Candy Spelling and Hollywood producer Aaron Spelling. With her father producing many popular television shows in the 1970s, Tori had an early flair for showbusiness. She appeared on many of her father's shows, which gained her more ...
Presenting...Tallulah - All her life, Tallulah has heard what she's not supposed to do: Don't get dirty…don't talk loudly…don't wear jeans like all the other kids. "You're not that kind of girl," everybody keeps telling her. Tallulah knows plenty about what she can't do and what she shouldn't do, about what kind of girl she isn't. But it's up to her to figure out what kind of girl she is.
30. John Travolta
Actor | Pulp Fiction
John Joseph Travolta was born in Englewood, New Jersey, one of six children of Helen Travolta (née Helen Cecilia Burke) and Salvatore/Samuel J. Travolta. His father was of Italian descent and his mother was of Irish ancestry. His father owned a tire repair shop called Travolta Tires in Hillsdale, ...
Propeller One-Way Night Coach: A Fable for All Ages - When his actress mother decides to move to Hollywood, Jeff, an eight-year-old boy who dreams of flying in a plane, begins his journey with connecting flights, airline food, stopovers and time spent in first class.
31. Henry Winkler
Actor | The Waterboy
Henry Franklin Winkler was born on October 30, 1945, in Manhattan, New York. His parents, Ilse Anna Maria (Hadra) and Harry Irving Winkler, were German Jewish immigrants who escaped the Holocaust by moving to the US in 1939. His father was the president of an international lumber company while his ...
The Hank Zipzer series (17 books) - Inspired by the true life experiences of Henry Winkler, whose undiagnosed dyslexia made him a classic childhood underachiever, the Hank Zipzer series is about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a boy with learning differences. Also the Here's Hank series (nine books) and the Ghost Buddy series (four books)
32. 'Weird Al' Yankovic
Soundtrack | UHF
Few would have guessed that "Weird Al" Yankovic - who as a shy, accordion-playing teenager got his start sending in homemade tapes to the Dr. Demento Radio Show - would go on to become a pop culture icon and the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time, with classic song and music video ...
When I Grow Up - It's Show-and-Tell time in Mrs. Krupp's class, and Billy just can't wait for his turn! Today the class is discussing what they want to be when they grow up, and our exuberant eight-year-old hero is bursting to tell everyone about his future career plans. Also one other book
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