Gotta Read 'Em All: Celebrity Authors Pens Down Books for the Little Ones
- Famous Individuals Grandpa Paul and Farmer Judith pen Kids' Literature
Sometimes, the rich and famous aren't just singing, dancing, or acting their way into our hearts. Many a celebrity has penned down tales for the little ones, sharing their personal experiences or wild imaginations - sometimes even doodling illustrations! Here are a few literary gems your little ones might love to get lost in.
Paul McCartney sails in a crazy submarine
The Beatle, Paul McCartney, has crafted two fantastical volumes about "Opapi-Opapa" and his grandkid gang, the "Krawaffels." With these volumes, old man Opapi takes the kid gang on a thrilling journey in a gray sea day with the help of a compass. In volume two, "Omama" is on the hunt, a grandmother who's as adventurous as Opapi himself, traversing the deep sea and skies in an accordion-like vessel (Annette Betz Verlag, suitable for ages four and up).
Diana Amft tames her arachnid fears
Actress Diana Amft penned a whopping 11 children's books, with the next installment of "The Ugly Little Spider" coming out on April 25th (Baumhaus Verlag, recommended for ages three and up). When asked about the inspiration behind her spider stories, Amft admitted, "The original story of the little spider and its world came from my fear of spiders. I then imagined that spiders, too, have families – a little brother or cousin who may be on their way to them."
As time went by, many a tale emerged about the spiders' adventures - in the latest volume, Mini-Spinni starts school. Amft also writes these books for her special audience: "There's nothing more beautiful than seeing the eyes of laughing children when they laugh at Niesi's antics with his spinning thread salad."
Simone Sommerland isn't stage-bound anymore
Why Simone Stiers wrote a children's story is not much of a mystery. She's recorded over 60 albums filled with children's songs, one of which remains on the charts for years. At the end of February, she published "Join In, Mausi Maus!" - a book for kids about overcoming stage fright and making music together (Verlag Schneiderbuch, recommended for ages three and up). As the singer explains, "Just like most children's songs, there are small stories that can be experienced together, a picture book offers a special and fascinating world of experience for children."
Natalie Portman wants to save our planet
Hollywood actress and Oscar winner Natalie Portman has re-told three classic fables into contemporary tales: "The Tortoise and the Hare," "The Three Little Pigs," and "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" now await young readers in the collection "Fables" according to the publisher (Mentor Verlag, recommended for ages five and up).
With this collection, the actress hopes to impart three lessons to children: there's not just one way to live, it's important to protect the planet, and winning doesn't always make a person a winner.
Madonna's strong-willed girls
She, too? Well, yes: "The English Roses" by US superstar Madonna was a massive hit back in 2003, with 30,000 copies sold in Germany within two weeks according to Carl Hanser Verlag.
Young girls aged six to eight will find the focus of this book on a girl gang, the English Roses, and the beautiful and excluded Binah. A good fairy helps the group understand their envy and unite. As the publisher states, "The book is 'about a changed image of women, where women aren't just princesses.' A downside: the book can only be purchased used – just like four other children's stories by Madonna."
Max Mutzke adventures in the land of dreams
When asked about his motivations for writing a children's book, singer Max Mutzke said, "Sometimes you're forced or inspired to find happiness." A psychologist friend encouraged him to publish the bedtime stories he narrated for his four children. Many parents will probably relate to the backstory of these self-invented bedtime tales: Mutzke often had to be away on tours, arriving home only in the evening. "It's a life where you wonder: Why did I have kids if I can't be there for them at the right time?"
Evenings, Mutzke often only had time to put his children to bed - which he missed and didn't appreciate. "It was really stuck, because the kids wanted to stay up when I was finally there," he recalls.
So, he crafted stories and games to help his children fall asleep. One inventive tale was the "Ear Bus" – sitting on dad's shoulders and steering him by the ears. Or creating a dream date. This culminated in the storybook "Come with Me to the Paradise of Dreamers" (Publisher: Fischer Sauerländer, Ages 5 and Up) and a lullaby.
Judith Rakers introduces Cat Jack, her farm cat
By reading a celebrity's book, you can get a glimpse into their personal lives through their stories. TV presenter Judith Rakers shares the tale of moving from the city to the countryside, starting a vegetable farm, and chicken-keeping in "Judith's Little Farm - Cat Jack Looks for a Friend" (Kosmos Verlag, Ages 4-10). The second book, "Little Farm in Great Danger," is due out on June 24, and Rakers has already penned the third. "And I'm already collecting ideas for the fourth. These tales just have to come out of me, otherwise, I'll burst," she says, adding that she prefers to work alone, without ghostwriters, co-authors, or editors.
In the book, Judith is a secondary character. The story is narrated from Cat Jack's perspective. "I think that's much cuter, because it also establishes more eye level with the children. There are already enough adults in a child's life telling them what to do."
Music and Books Collide
- **Simone Sommerland'sEQ "Join In, Mousey Mouse!" by Simone Sommerland
- Song "Come, Let's Dream Together" by Max Mutzke
- "Music and books come together in Max Mutzke's storybook 'Come with Me to the Paradise of Dreamers,' accompanied by his lullaby 'Come, Let's Dream Together.'"
- "Simone Sommerland, known for her children's albums, has also penned a book, 'Join In, Mausi Maus!,' filled with stories designed to inspire happiness in little ones."
- "Paul McCartney, apart from being a legendary musician, has also authored 'Opapi-Opapa' and 'Krawaffels' series, where he takes the role of 'Opapi' and goes on adventurous journeys with his grandchildren."
