Books

Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas

Every kid (big or small) loves the holidays! And Fancy Nancy is no exception. On November 3rd, Harper Collins released Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas — the latest in the Fancy Nancy picture book series.

The merry story details Nancy’s efforts to make Christmas as “splendiferous” as possible.

Since the series launch in 2005, the Fancy Nancy brand has sold more than 8 million books, spent over 175 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and won countless literary and toy industry awards.

They’ve even expanded to dolls, dresses, tiaras, shoes, party goods, calendars, bedding, board games and much, much more!

If you live in the L.A. area, stop by the PEOPLE-hosted event at Every Picture Tells A Story… children’s gallery and book shop this Saturday (11/14) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Not only can you meet author Jane O’Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser, but signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. Guests will also take home a free PEOPLE gift bag (while supplies last).

Recently, CBB had the pleasure of chatting with Jane and Robin about their newest book, as well as all things Fancy Nancy.

Click below to read the interview.
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Scholastic, Scott Gries/PictureGroup

Proving that it’s never too late to make a dream come true, Joe Brown — dad to famed makeup artist Bobbi Brown — has just published his first children’s book, at the age of 74.

Having spent his entire adult life as an attorney, Joe might be new to the genre, but he’s been telling the tale of Marceau for decades. Now Marceau — a New York City cab driver who treats passengers to fun-filled tales of adventure — has come to life in The Flights of Marceau: Race to the Rescue ($9).

Published by Scholastic and illustrated by Stephen Marchesi, the book is familiar territory for Bobbi as well. “I grew up listening to these wonderful bedtime stories that my father had written,” she explains. “I am very proud of my father and his new book, and am so happy to celebrate him and his work.”

In The Flights of Marceau: Race to the Rescue, Marceau leaps into action when a collection of zoo animals are left stranded by a hurricane. Together, he and the animals work together to save the day. The book — first in a planned series — also contains rhyming text and a glossary. To purchase, click here.

– Missy

Donato Sardella/Courtesy of Ralph Lauren – Julianne wears Ralph Lauren Black Label dress, Ralph Lauren Blue Label sweater, Ralph Lauren Collection belt and sandals

On Mother’s Day afternoon, actress and children’s book author, Julianne Moore appeared at the Ralph Lauren Children’s Store on Robertson Boulevard to read and sign copies of her most recent picture book, Freckleface Strawberry and the Dodgeball Bully.

Julianne and bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham combine talents again for the most recent Freckleface Strawberry story. This time their perky, loveable seven-year-old encounters a bully on the playground — Windy Pants Patrick — during a game of dodgeball.

Mothers and children, including Laura Dern and Milla Jovovich, along with 18-month-old Ever Gabo, joined Pilar Guzmán — Editor-in-chief of Cookie Magazine — for this special reading followed by an afternoon of treats — including exclusive Sprinkles cupcakes — and activities including face painting, balloon artistry and more Freckleface fun. Fifteen percent of the event’s sales benefited Save the Children.

Check out more pictures from the event below!
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Toby Canham/Getty

Celebrities are known for penning memoirs and autobiographies, but three stars took the road less traveled and wrote books geared specifically toward children! Whoopi Goldberg, Jamie Lee Curtis and Tim McGraw all published kids’ books this fall, with engaging stories, beautiful images and most importantly, encouraging messages. Here’s a summary of their work:

Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Plum Fantastic by actress and TV personality Whoopi Goldberg follows the story of Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson, a girl whose dance-crazy mom moves her to Harlem to train at the Nutcracker School of Ballet. Though Alexandrea hates dancing, her friends rally to help coach her when she lands the role of Sugar Plum Fairy in the school recital.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis’ tome Big Words for Little People teaches children the meaning of such important words as responsible, communicate, understand and more. Reading this book isn’t just fun — it’s a learning experience for the whole family!

Tim McGraw presents My Little Girl, a sweet book with a simple message: that spending time with your children is important! The country singer — father to three girls — spins a tale about a perfect dad-daughter day. A bonus? It includes a forward by Tim’s wife, country singer Faith Hill.

If you have some free time this weekend, curl up with your kids and settle into a good book! What books do you like to read with your children?

Russell Baer

Actress Josie Bissett has accomplished a lot in her lifetime. First stepping in front of the camera at age 12, she struck it big on the hit TV show Melrose Place, appearing in numerous television shows and films in between. The 38-year-old decided to slow down a bit once she had children — son Mason Tru, 9, and daughter Maya Rose, 6 ½, with ex-husband Rob Estes — and has since traded in magazine covers and awards shows for motherhood and book writing (she’s penned two parenting books, Little Bits of Wisdom and Making Memories). Josie’s latest venture is a children’s book, Tickle Monster, a story about a friendly monster who just can’t stop tickling! Josie recently spoke to CBB about her experiences as a mom, actress and author.

CBB: Why did you decide to start writing?

JB: When I was pregnant, I wanted to take some time off from acting but I still needed a creative outlet for myself. My first two books were created during my pregnancies and after giving birth to my first child. I’d always wanted and adored children, but nothing can prepare you for your own, until they are “your own”! I joined every baby group I could find and gained so much wisdom and insight being around other parents, that I decided to do an entire book dedicated to parenting tips. I asked parents around the world to write to me and tell me the one piece of advice or tip they would like to share with another parent. There are so many incredible parents out there and the experience was invaluable to my journey into motherhood.

Click ‘More’ to read about Josie’s newest book and learn why she left Hollywood for the Northwest.

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Carlos Vila-David Krieger/Bauer Griffin

The thrill of learning that you are expecting your first child can quickly turn to feelings of anxiety, fear, and downright confusion as questions begin to arise about what to expect during the coming months. Who better to dish out pregnancy tips and advice than a woman who has already been through the whole nine month ordeal herself? Ready to share her pregnancy journey with the world and fill moms in on everything from special craving requests to the secret world inside the delivery room, Access Hollywood host Nancy O’Dell will release her new book, Full of Life: Mom to Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant, in April.

From advice to anecdotes Nancy — whose "biggest craving was for information" — wishes someone would have shared with her during her pregnancy with daughter Ashby Grace, 17 months, the 42-year-old is hoping to prepare soon-to-be moms on what to expect so they can avoid being "as surprised or panicked as I was." Explains Nancy, "I wanted to share in a simple, fun, and straightforward book all those crazy, unexpected, sometimes disgusting, sometimes hilarious things that happen during pregnancy."

In addition to the warnings of what to look out for, Nancy also shares touching advice on how to remember such a special time by including loved ones in the experience. Nancy’s tip to make extended family feel important? Ask the technician at the doctor’s office for three copies of the baby’s ultrasound pictures: one for you to keep and one for each set of grandparents!

"After my mom passed away, I found a scrapbook she had made of all of Ashby’s ultrasounds, so I know how much that meant to her. And it reminded me that Ashby has the perfect angel watching over her…always!"

Ashby Grace is Nancy’s daughter with husband, business executive Keith Zubchevich, whom she married in June 2005.

Source: PEOPLE

Jim Spellman/WireImage

Country singing sensation Tim McGraw has learned firsthand the difficulties that come along with being a dad to little girls, thanks to daughters Gracie Katherine, 11, Maggie Elizabeth, 10, and Audrey Caroline, 6 ½. Based on his experiences of trying to make them happy, Tim has co-written a new children’s book entitled My Little Girl, released today in stores. The book follows a child named Katie and her father as they spend the day together doing nothing special, but at the same time enjoying quality time with one another.

Tim, 41, decided to write the book after the struggle to find things to do with his daughters, because if it was up to them, they would be at the mall shopping! Instead, Tim’s simple advice is to "do what you have to do in your regular routine and take them with you. It makes all the difference in the world." He says his daughters enjoy the simple things, like going to the post office or grocery store with him.

"It’s something that as a father you kind of have to sacrifice what you want to do, because boys do what you want to do. If I want to go to the farm and shoot guns or ride four-wheelers in the mud when it’s 40 degrees … the girls aren’t really interested in doing that."

The Flicka star received fellow country star and wife Faith Hill’s approval on the book. She even wrote the forward, stating that "I hope this story provides quality time for fathers and daughters to enjoy each other’s company and make memories reading together." While Faith, 41, enjoyed the book, their daughters were a different story, according to Tim

"If it doesn’t have Chris Brown or the Jonas Brothers involved, they don’t care."

Source: The Associated Press

Flynet

Husband Jerry O’Connell recently said that he and wife Rebecca Romijn are busy preparing a nursery for their twin girls, and it certainly seemed that way today, as Rebecca checked out Joeybaby in Woodland Hills, Calif. Rebecca is working with furniture maker and nursery designer Joseph Wahl to design the girls’ nursery. Rebecca ordered two cribs, achanging table and a scallop wall shelf, all custom-made and painted byJoseph Wahl. She also ordered two Pixel Organic Crib Mattresses andjewel-toned Bella Notte bedding and window treatments.

After poring over sheet sets and other infant necessities, the 35-year-old actress left with a copy of Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents’ Top 101 Questions About Babies and Toddlers!

Rebecca and Jerry expect their fraternal twins in January. See photos of Rebecca and other celebrity moms-to-be in our Who’s Due Next Gallery!

Rebecca wears Lauren Kiyomi’s Sleeveless Pocket Dress in Silver ($96), which she’s accessorized with a belt!

Mike Marsland/WireImage

A self-proclaimed "total control freak" when it comes to her daughters Poppy Honey, 6 and Daisy Boo, 5, Juliette ‘Jools’ Oliver says her husband — famed chef Jamie Oliver — is the parental yin to her yang. Whether it’s her habit of declining play dates over fears that another mom isn’t a safe driver, or her MRSA-killing hand soap in the powder room, Jools admits that she can be a bit "overprotective" of the girls; with Jamie, however, the pendulum swings in a different direction entirely. "We took them to Disneyland in Paris and Jamie insisted on taking them on rides they weren’t tall enough to go on and I said, ‘I hate you for this,’" Jools tells the Daily Mail, "But I know they need the balance. They need Jamie to give them some germs, some mud and some danger."

Jools says that all she ever wanted to be was a mom, and thus she has no regrets about staying home with the girls while Jamie works 12-hour days. Although the grass sometimes appears to be greener on the other side, the couple is happy to maintain the status quo.

"I am up at six every day because I want to make the girls porridge before they go to school, and because I need the time to do the stuff I think I should do because I don’t have a job. It’s guilt, I suppose. But bringing up children properly is draining to the hilt, and there are times when I would rather have Jamie’s job. We often say we should job swap and I say to him, ‘But you would never do as good a job as me.’ To be fair, I couldn’t do what he does."

Click ‘More’ to read about Jool’s decision to write a children’s book.

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In a new blog entry, Laila Ali reveals that Curtis Muhammad — the son she expects "any day now" with husband Curtis Conway — will be living the good life once he arrives, tooling around town in a Mutsy 4 Rider Light stroller and being lulled to sleep with a Luca Glider. "Of course, we all have our own preferences when it comes to our children," Laila writes, "but I thought it would be cool to share with you some of my favorite items that I have in my nursery."

So what else is the 30-year-old boxer and American Gladiators co-host loving? Onesies by Ooh LaLa Mama, baby shoes by Pediped, bottles by BornFree and toys by Kushies, for starters. When little Curtis needs one of his (GDiapers or Seventh Generation) diapers changed, he’ll be whisked off to the Jelly Baby Changing Mat by Kuster. If he grows tired of his Mutsy, he’ll have back-up wheels in the Micralite Toro. And if Laila finds herself worrying about Curtis’ carbon footprint, she’ll consult Raising Baby Green, by Dr. Alan Green. Of the latter, Laila says,

I am trying to stick to products that are earth friendly and free of chemicals that can be harmful to children… It is not always easy so I am taking it slow.

Although she’s clearly done her homework when it comes to preparing for life with baby, even Laila admits that "the true test comes when my son actually arrives and I have a chance to put all this stuff to use!" Curtis Jr., due the first week of September, will be the couple’s first child together; Curtis Sr. is already a dad to to 13-year-old twin sons Cameron and Kelton and 9-year-old daughter Leilani from a previous marriage. 

Source: LailaAli.com; Photo by Apega/ABACAUSA.com.