One of the real joys of parenting is discovering all of the amazing books to read to and with our little ones. While we always love the classics (is there anything better than The Monster at the End of This Book?), it's also super fun to see the newest picture and chapter books that hit the shelves every year. The world of kids' books has really grown, and there are so many amazing stories that inspire us to see the world more creatively through a child's eyes.
Given the market for books for imaginative, diverse, and curious young readers, it probably shouldn't be surprising that some of our favorite celebrities have written some majorly successful and, yes, inspiring tales. But we were still a little surprised to see just how many celebrity children's book authors there actually are and how many books some of them have written! We've got at least four stars who have penned two or more kids' books, including one iconic actress who has churned out at least a dozen so far.
Feel free to consider this list as a guide for your next visit to the library, where books by a duchess, a certain hunky dancer/actor, and even a favorite former president are waiting for young readers to dig into.
Gabrielle Union
With a daughter as funny and sassy as the "shady baby" Kaavia James, how could Gabrielle Union not be inspired to write a sweet book all about the joys of welcoming a new baby to the family? Welcome to the Party would make a great baby shower gift for any expecting parents.
Meghan Markle
Actress, humanitarian, and author — yep, we love a multitalented duchess! — Meghan Markle wrote The Bench to celebrate the love between fathers and sons. The book is described as being filled with "moments of peace and reflection, trust and belief, discovery and learning, and lasting comfort," thanks in part to the beautiful watercolor illustrations by artist Christian Robinson.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
Mary J. Blige
It hasn't come out yet (though it is available for preorder), but we think Mary J. Blige's upcoming book Mary Can! sounds great. Based loosely on her life, she describes it as a story about "a young girl who proves that anyone can make their dreams come true if they just believe in themselves."
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum is now a two-time author. He recently announced that his second kids' book, The One and Only Sparkella and the Big Lie, will be coming out in May 2023 and that there will be a third book in the future as well. We're looking forward to this one about the importance of honesty and to see what Channing's got cooked up for book No. 3.
Kristen Bell
Add Kristen Bell to the multiple books club. In June 2022, the Good Place star released her second kids' book, The World Needs More Purple Schools, which is a follow-up to her first, The World Needs More Purple People. Both were written to celebrate the importance of acceptance and diversity, which we can always get behind.
Questlove
DJ and rapper Questlove recently announced his first book for older kids, due to be released in April 2023. The Rhythm of Time, geared to middle-grade readers, is meant to celebrate creativity with an exciting plot that combines elements of time travel, friendship, and family.
Kelly Clarkson
Of course American Idol alum Kelly Clarkson's children's book would be a celebration of music. Named for her daughter, River Rose and the Magical Lullaby features lots of rhymes and a sweet story about a little girl who is just too excited to go to sleep without the perfect nighttime tune.
Barack Obama
Former President Barack Obama (our favorite dad-in-chief) wrote a 2010 children's book called Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters that is a celebration of 13 Americans who actually made our country great. The book celebrates the rich diversity of our country's history in a way that kids can understand and appreciate.
Reese Witherspoon
Given how much Reese Witherspoon loves to read (her Reese's Book Club makes some excellent choices), it's not surprising that in 2022 she became an author herself. Her new book, Busy Betty, is a celebration of the kids who have big ideas that sometimes lead to creativity and sometimes lead to chaos.
Seth Meyers
It's totally normal for kids to feel scared sometimes, just like the bear at the center of late-night host Seth Meyers' I'm Not Scared, You're Scared. This picture book is both funny and a great way to talk about anxiety, bravery, and what to do if a friend feels scared, too.
Camila Alves McConaughey
When it comes to tackling the challenges of picky eating, we can always use some more inspiration. Camila Alves McConaughey (wife of Matthew McConaughey) has a funny take on finnicky eating in her picture book, Just Try One Bite. In this one, it's the parents who need convincing, not the kids! We're totally here for a little funny role reversal.
Kevin & Danielle Jonas
Another inspirational book that is sure to delight little music lovers (and their parents who might have a soft spot for the Jonas Brothers) is There's a Rock Concert in My Bedroom, which came out in spring 2022 and is written by Kevin and Danielle Jonas. This book celebrates music but also has some lessons about confidence and beating stage fright, making it perfect for any little performers.
Isla Fisher
Fans of classic books such as the Amelia Bedelia series might just love Marge Is in Charge from actress Isla Fisher. She's written five books in the series, which is geared toward ages 8 to 12 and features an extremely memorable babysitter.
Kirby Howell-Baptiste
British actress Kirby Howell-Baptiste (we recognize her from Killing Eve and The Sandman) recently released two inspiring kids' books: Little Black Girl and Little Black Boy. Both are about dreaming big, celebrating finding passions and interests, and embracing the unlimited potential of kids. Love that!
Jamie Lee Curtis
Jamie Lee Curtis has written 12 kids' books, including the most recent, Me, Myselfie & I: A Cautionary Tale, which came out in 2018. That book deals with a mom who is obsessed with taking selfies (um, that might sound familiar to some of us!) and the daughter determined to help her put down her phone.
