Fun and Funny Picture Books by Celebrity Authors
by Devon A. Corneal
We tend to put celebrities in boxes. There’s the person who makes us laugh, the one who makes us cry, and the one who always wears the outrageous outfit. But it may surprise you to learn that some of your favorite actors, singers, and comedians have another talent – they are also authors. We’re sharing some of our favorite picture books by celebrity authors, and we hope they transport you to cozy kitchens, underwater adventures, and worlds of possibility.
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The Serious Goose
Available from:Late-night talk show host, comedian, and author Jimmy Kimmel gives kids the chance to use the wildest corners of their imaginations to figure out how to make a very serious goose crack a smile.
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I Don't Want to Read This Book
Available from:Actor Max Greenfield knows how to make people laugh, and he uses that remarkable talent to encourage, persuade, and even trick reluctant readers into reading. Think you don’t enjoy reading? Think again.
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Gorgeously Me!
Available from:Podcaster, author, and star of Netflix’s Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness, shares a message of hope and love with young readers in this picture book. Gorgeous illustrations and bouncy, cheerful text make this book a feast for the eyes and ears.
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Hope Is a Rainbow
Available from:This book is not Hoda Kotb’s first foray into the world of children’s literature, and the #1 New York Times bestselling author and co-host of NBC’s TODAY shows her knack for writing heartfelt picture books with her newest story. She encourages children to dream big and reach for the stars through rhythmic, rhyming text.
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Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective
Available from:Award-winning actress Elizabeth Olsen and musician Robbie Arnett join forces to bring us an adorable new character who deals with anxiety. Young readers will love learning from Hattie as she deals with her worries and those of her classmates. The anxious fun continues in the sequel, Hattie Harmony: Opening Night.
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PictureFace Lizzy
Available from:Josh Gad, the fan-favorite voice actor for Olaf from Disney’s Frozen, delivers a thought-provoking story about consumerism in this humorous picture book. Eve wants the one thing she doesn’t have — a PictureFace Lizzy doll. But once she has the doll, the novelty wears off quickly, and she is left wondering why she wanted it so badly in the first place.
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Just One More Sleep
Available from:Readers of all ages will enjoy this adorable picture book from award-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis. It’s about anticipating and celebrating many events throughout the year and showing young readers that good things are worth the wait. With Laura Cornell’s energetic illustrations, it’s no wonder this book is a bestseller.
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Busy Betty
Available from:Reese Witherspoon is an avid reader, so it’s no surprise she wrote a bestselling picture book series. Children will love Busy Betty, an energetic little girl who tackles every task with perseverance and heart, from bathing the dog to throwing surprise parties.
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When Digz the Dog Met Zurl the Squirrel
Available from:Acclaimed actor Chris Pine debut picture book stars an adorable duo, Digz the Dog and Zurl the Squirrel. In Ms. Pincher's garden, a rivalry brews as Digz claims to be the king and Zurl asserts she is the queen. A clever story about acceptance and kindness that's sure to leave a lasting impression on young readers.
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There’s a Rock Concert in My Bedroom
Available from:Your young reader will rock out in their bedroom after reading this book by international pop star Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle Jonas. It’s about a girl named Emma who signs up to perform in her school’s talent show, only to be hit with a bad case of stage fright. As the big day grows closer, her family hatches a plan to help her overcome her jitters — by having a rock concert in her bedroom!
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Repeat After Me
Available from:This book from wife and husband team Jazmyn Simon and Dulé Hill contains several mantras to help kids feel their best. As children repeat the phrases in this book, they will learn they are loved, worthy, and enough, just the way they are.
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I Have a Superpower
Available from:NBA superstar Stephen Curry empowers kids to stay positive and always try their best. In this story, a young boy dreams of becoming a star basketball player, even though he is smaller than the other kids. Through hard work, determination, and plenty of practice, he taps into his personal “superpower” and becomes the player he wants to be.
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Tomatoes for Neela
Available from:Best known for her role as host of Top Chef and her bestselling cookbooks, Padma Lakshmi has long encouraged children to help in the kitchen. Lakshmi explores family recipes, intergenerational cooking, and the humble tomato in her new picture book.
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The Book with No Pictures
Available from:This hugely popular pictureless picture book is a hit with children and adults alike. B. J. Novak brings his comedic talents to the page in a uniquely inventive way. I’ve never gotten through it without bursting out laughing, and I dare you to try.
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The World Needs More Purple People
Available from:I might argue that the world needs more episodes of The Good Place, but I suppose a heartfelt picture book by its star Kristen Bell will have to do instead. Bell encourages kids to become “purple people,” the people who know who they are and accept others for who they are and, as a result, build more harmonious, loving communities. That sounds like a worthy goal to me.
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My Little Brave Girl
Available from:Every little girl (and even big ones) can use encouragement to be brave, embrace all that the world offers, and remember the vast possibilities available to her. Inspired by her daughter, Hilary Duff delivers a lovely, beautifully illustrated book that provides that reminder.
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Elbow Grease
Available from:While none of John Cena’s movies are appropriate for little kids, his picture book is exactly what they need. Kids will cheer for the small but gutsy truck named Elbow Grease, who sets out to prove himself to his bigger brothers and finds he has all the determination he needs to make a big difference in the world.
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Grandude's Green Submarine
Available from:Kids don’t need to know a thing about The Beatles to appreciate Paul McCartney’s fun-filled book about a very inventive grandfather and his newest creation – a green submarine. Dive in for an underwater adventure with music, dancing, and an unforgettable octopus.
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Why Not You?
Available from:Sometimes it’s hard to believe that you can achieve everything you dream of – especially if your dreams are very big and you feel very small. Which is why Ciara and Russell Wilson wrote Why Not You? – to encourage children to trust in themselves and chase the goals they want to reach, no matter how impossible they seem.
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I'm Not Scared, You're Scared!
Available from:Late-night host Seth Meyers has never seen the world the way other people have, which is why the characters in his new picture book are not what you’d expect. The big, hairy, sort of scary bear in this story? Afraid of everything. The white, fluffy, tiny rabbit who is his best friend? Fearless. And when these two opposites set out on an adventure – well, let’s just say things don’t turn out the way you’d expect, either.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024.