So – Madonna’s children’s books?
Not Madonna-written, according to some.
Why am I not surprised?
I do not loathe all celebrity-written (or in Madonna’ case “celebrity-written”) books. I like Jamie Lee Curtis’ a lot. But let’s be honest – most of them are awful. They dishonor the trees that were sacrificed for the pulp upon which these atrocities are committed.
And people buy millions of copies.
There actually is an important role for “celebrity-written” books in children’s publishing. Celebrity books make massive profits. This allows publishers to take a gamble on new authors, or continue supporting the career of mid-list authors, whose books are not yet raking it in. We cannot forget that publishing is a business, and for a business to exist, profits must be made. No profits, no books.
The other positive side to even the crappy celebrity books is that they lure new readers and book buyers into stores. While most readers of this LJ are probably comfortable in libraries and bookstores, a lot of people are not. They find libraries and bookstores alien and intimidating. I think it is very important to understand and respect this, and support anything that helps them. If Ma-tuna’s, I mean Madonna’s new book, brings them into a bookstore for the first time, and opens their minds to literature, then All Hail Madonna.
What celebrity books do you like? Which ones bring out your evil, catty self? (When I worked in a bookstore, the books by Dolly Parton and Princess Fergie made me howl.) Is there a celebrity you would like to see write a children’s book? What’s the title?
I’ll start. I want Steve Tyler of Aerosmith to write “Tucking Little Girls Into Bed: night-time stories for the innocent.”