• Gloria Estefan — The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog (2005): The Miami Sound Machine singer is one of the world’s best-selling artists, having shifted more than 100 million albums in a career going back to 1977. She added “author of children’s books” to her résumé in 2005 and wrote a sequel to her debut children’s book the following year. The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog is about a canine who worries about fitting into her new home. The book got a mixed reception: Publishers Weekly lambasted the “clunky rhymes” and “garish” artwork, and cattily observed that Estefan’s talents were better displayed on the accompanying Noelle’s Song CD. Readers, however, seemed to love it. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
    Gloria Estefan — The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog (2005): The Miami Sound Machine singer is one of the world’s best-selling artists, having shifted more than 100 million albums in a career going back to 1977. She added “author of children’s books” to her résumé in 2005 and wrote a sequel to her debut children’s book the following year. The Magically Mysterious Adventures of Noelle the Bulldog is about a canine who worries about fitting into her new home. The book got a mixed reception: Publishers Weekly lambasted the “clunky rhymes” and “garish” artwork, and cattily observed that Estefan’s talents were better displayed on the accompanying Noelle’s Song CD. Readers, however, seemed to love it. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
  • LeAnn Rimes — Jag (2005): The country-music star turned her hand to jungle in her first literary outing — the African jungle, not pounding drum ‘n’ bass. Jag, a baby jaguar, is dreading her first day at school, and not without reason — she’s scared of water and jaguars have to take swimming lessons. Jag faces her fears of teasing, defends Simon, who is being bullied because of his black fur, and ends up letting out such a huge roar that she earns respect. John Shearer / AP
    LeAnn Rimes — Jag (2005): The country-music star turned her hand to jungle in her first literary outing — the African jungle, not pounding drum ‘n’ bass. Jag, a baby jaguar, is dreading her first day at school, and not without reason — she’s scared of water and jaguars have to take swimming lessons. Jag faces her fears of teasing, defends Simon, who is being bullied because of his black fur, and ends up letting out such a huge roar that she earns respect. John Shearer / AP
  • Madonna — The English Roses (series, 2003-2009): Madonna’s first book in The English Roses series was published in 2003. The singer then went on to publish four unrelated children’s books before returning to the now more-than-10-strong series in 2007. The books tell the story of five school friends in London — a reflection of Madonna’s love of all things English. Michael Sohn / AP photo
    Madonna — The English Roses (series, 2003-2009): Madonna’s first book in The English Roses series was published in 2003. The singer then went on to publish four unrelated children’s books before returning to the now more-than-10-strong series in 2007. The books tell the story of five school friends in London — a reflection of Madonna’s love of all things English. Michael Sohn / AP photo
  • Will Smith — Just the Two of Us (2005): Will Smith has come a long way from his early days of rapping as The Fresh Prince alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, who seems to have become a mainstay of Dubai’s clubbing scene. Part of that journey was this 2005 book that puts the lyrics of his 1998 hit, of the same name, to pictures. It’s an unusually touching ditty for a 90s hip-hop artist, telling of a new dad’s struggles to do right by his son, imparting pearls of wisdom such as “Ain’t no pain like from the opposite sex”, and “Always tell the truth, say your prayers, hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears”. Ron Galella, Ltd / WireImage
    Will Smith — Just the Two of Us (2005): Will Smith has come a long way from his early days of rapping as The Fresh Prince alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, who seems to have become a mainstay of Dubai’s clubbing scene. Part of that journey was this 2005 book that puts the lyrics of his 1998 hit, of the same name, to pictures. It’s an unusually touching ditty for a 90s hip-hop artist, telling of a new dad’s struggles to do right by his son, imparting pearls of wisdom such as “Ain’t no pain like from the opposite sex”, and “Always tell the truth, say your prayers, hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears”. Ron Galella, Ltd / WireImage

In pictures: Musicians turned authors

Olive Obina

September 24, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Keith Richards isn’t the first rocker to dabble in children’s fiction. After the release of his children’s Gus & Me that was inspired by his relationship with his grandfather, we take a look at some of our favourite musicians turn authors.

Music