From: JEAN LOUISE FUNCKE <jlfuncke>
Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2007 19:32:37 -0500

I have to agree that unrestrained celebrity publishing insults hardworking authors, infringes on their market, and could lower the quality of currently published children's literature. I did, however, heartily enjoy a recent storytime featuring "Mr. Peabody's Apples" before the author (Madonna) was revealed to me! Hmmm. I do not think we can assume that all books marketed for their celebrity authorship must be substandard. But we can certainly argue that celebrity publishing capitalizes on shallow methods of children's book selection by some adults. I am intrigued by the discussion of celebrity authors with less than innocent past ventures--published or otherwise (such as Madonna's "Sex" book.) I can only wonder if famous children's authors such as Lewis Carroll, Shel Silverstein, or many others could be regarded to have a perfectly "clean slate"... and if that is indeed necessary. I look forward to hearing more discussion!
              
Received on Wed 06 Jun 2007 07:32:37 PM CDT