Last month, I came across an article in The Guardian exploring the rise of celebrity authors in children’s literature and the frustration some traditional writers feel about that trend. You will find the info in the link below;
The piece struck a chord with me, especially as, even though I mostly specialise in scripts and films, I’m beginning to write a children’s book myself. Here are my thoughts.
Personally, I’ve never been bothered by whether a book’s author is a celebrity. The crossover trend isn’t new: years ago, actress Julie Andrews wrote Mandy, and I remember my mum mentioning Madonna’s The English Roses. David Walliams, who many remember for his comedy shows such as Rock Profile and Little Britain, has now become a big name in kids’ books with titles like The Boy in a Dress and Gangster Granny. While I haven’t read them myself, they do seem to have intriguing concepts.
What truly matters to me is the quality of the storytelling—whether the book is imaginative, relatable, and respectful to young readers. My childhood admiration for Roald Dahl, for example, has always been concerned his unique style, not his fame. With that said, I’ve conducted some analytical research through the article. One celebrity-penned book that sounds genuinely touching is Keith Richards’ Gus & Me, a story inspired by his grandfather’s jazz band. However, I’m a little bit less interested in stories like the one from the band members of McFly that involves a dinosaur with, let’s say, “digestive issues.”
I understand the frustration some authors feel, especially since celebrity titles often gain more attention and sales than those by emerging writers. As someone starting out, it can seem daunting. But for all new authors out there, I’d say it’s essential to stay focused on creativity and to believe in what we bring to the table.
For me, I’ll keep putting my heart into my own book, as I am excited to see where it leads. I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share in the comments below!
JDE Films 
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