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Calling all creative, spirited kids—and the adults who raise them. Do you have a very busy child? One who is filled with big ideas and makes big messes and big mistakes along the way?
Celebrated actress, producer, clothing designer, and businesswoman Reese Witherspoon has added children's book author to her list of accomplishments with the release of Busy Betty, a charming read that is destined to become a favorite of any kid who may feel a kinship with chaos. It's already one of our favorites.
Available for pre-order now, Busy Betty is a fun, silly, and delightful picture book that chronicles a disastrous hour before a playdate, when the well-intentioned title character gets creative with bubble solution, popcorn, glitter, a garden hose, and a puppy.
Chaos ensues and momentarily feels like tragedy, but a silver lining reveals itself in the teamwork brought forth by her best friend Mae, who sees Betty's creative genius and knows just how to put cooperation to work. The combination of Betty’s busy brain and Mae’s perfect planning will inspire kids and give worried parents hope for peace of mind.
According to her Instagram, Witherspoon relates to the kids that are “full of big ideas and have energy for days” because she was one herself.
Best known for her box office draw and her book club picks, Witherspoon set out to create a kids' book that not only honors these kids, it gets them to realize that what may make them second-guess themselves may actually be their superpower in life.
Busy Betty is officially set to hit shelves on October 4, but you can pre-order your copy right now.
Available for pre-order for $17 at Amazon
5 more celebrity kids’ books publishing in 2022
There are dozens upon dozens of children’s books written by celebrities. Here are a few that published, or are publishing, this year.
1. Camila Alves McConaughey and Adam Mansbach: Just Try One Bite
Mansbach is the best-selling author of every parent’s favorite bedtime book, Go the F**k to Sleep while Alves McConaughey is a healthy-eating advocate, who shares three kids with actor Matthew McConaughey.
This silly book turns the tables on picky eating—where it’s the kids who are trying to encourage the parents to put down the ice cream and eat the broccoli. In Just Try One Bite the kids go to great lengths to bribe the parents to eat their peas, while the parents try every trick in the book to hide their greens in favor of doughnut holes and ice cream sundaes.
This is a cute book that may just get your kids to empathize with your daily mealtime struggles. If not, you'll all definitely have a laugh at the witty rhymes and cute illustrations.
2. Mariah Carey: The Christmas Princess
Mariah Carey shares pieces of her childhood in this forthcoming holiday title.
Like Witherspoon, Carey turns her own childhood experiences into a story of understanding for kids. The Christmas Princess is for kids who feel like outsiders; Carey hopes her book will inspire them to live with hope and confidence in their dreams.
Carey says, "Little Mariah represents my inner child believing in her own vision, she represents all children, especially those who feel like outsiders or 'others', striving to believe in themselves.”
Available for pre-order at Amazon for $17
3. Kevin Jonas and Danielle Jonas: There's a Rock Concert in My Bedroom
Kevin Jonas and his wife Danielle tackle stage fright in this family-focused book.
Having a family dance party in your living room is one thing, but when little Emma signs up to play guitar for the school talent show, she soon realizes that's going to take a whole other level of bravery. When Emma realizes she's going to need to go up against a lion tamer and a magician, she gets a case of cold feet.
If there’s anyone who can talk your kiddo out of a massive bout of stage fright, it’s international superstar Kevin Jonas of The Jonas Brothers. Co-written with his wife, jewelry designer Danielle Jonas, the two say There's a Rock Concert in My Bedroom is "all about music, family, and facing your fears." From where we are standing it's a book about working towards a goal with the support and scaffolding of family to guide you.
4. Erin Napier: The Lantern House
Erin Napier knows a lot about houses. In this book, the personality of a home is revealed.
Erin Napier, the host of HGTV's Home Town, knows more than a little bit about homes. This beautifully-illustrated picture book follows a house down memory lane as it tells its story—and the story of what truly makes a house a home.
Written from the point of view of the house, the home in The Lantern House tells of its warm and wonderful memories. This is a watercolor-drawn storybook that will pull at your heartstrings with sentiment and nostalgia.
5. Ciara and Russell Wilson: Why Not You?
Superstar parents Ciara and Russell Wilson dare kids to dream big.
A Grammy-winning superstar and a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback know a thing or two about following their dreams.
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine our dreams coming true. This book asks the question, “Why not you?” and encourages kids to dream big and to go after those goals. This book is all about perseverance and shooting for the stars.
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