I have dedicated over 20 years to the world of editing and authoring children's and young adult books. Since 2010, I have had the privilege of teaching writing to emerging writers who are passionate and serious about their craft. This experience has given me a unique perspective on the industry and the challenges faced by both authors and illustrators.

Why the Controversy?

It's disheartening to read about celebrities like Keira Knightley writing and illustrating children's books, or Jamie Oliver pulling his book due to Indigenous representation issues. These incidents highlight the importance of authenticity and originality in children's literature. Picture book writer Mem Fox, who has authored 49 picture books, takes her time to craft each work. Every word in a picture book must be carefully chosen for meaning, rhythm, readability, and musicality.For instance, my middle-grade novel, "The Endsister," was written for the same age group as Jamie Oliver's book. It tells the story of a family moving to London and the challenges faced by the young characters. In children's literature, it's crucial for kids to make mistakes and solve their own problems. This is what gives the story its heart and makes it relatable to young readers.

The Problem with Derivative Works

The issue with most celebrity children's books is that they are often derivative. They don't bring anything new to the table. They simply reproduce old ideas and tropes from the authors' own childhood reading. This lack of innovation fails to engage young readers and can even be a disservice to the genre.Celebrity writers who rely on their name-brand appeal don't push aesthetic boundaries like Margaret Wild, Shaun Tan, or Heidi McKinnon. They don't create immersive visual worlds like Lisa Kennedy, Bob Graham, Remy Lai, or Jeannie Baker. And they don't connect with ordinary contemporary kids with empathy and wisdom like Nova Weetman or Rebecca Lim.When I visit schools to talk about writing, many children are surprised to learn that they have read one of my books. This shows that what really matters to kids is the story itself, not the author's name.

The Role of Co-authors

In some cases, like Jamie Oliver's middle-grade adventure series, the books may have started as bedtime stories told to his kids and then been transcribed and edited. Very rarely, a co-author is listed, as in the case of Keith Richards' biographical picture book "Gus and Me" where Bill Shapiro was involved.If celebrity children's books are being marketed based on their names, publishers should be more transparent about the writing and editing process. In today's age of generative AI, trust is crucial, and readers deserve to know who is behind the books they are reading.

Australian Comedians in Children's Publishing

In Australia, many celebrity children's authors are comedians. They have a natural ability to engage an audience and create compelling characters. A picture book is both a page and a stage, as my colleague Denise Chapman pointed out. It's a performance and a reading experience that can captivate young readers.Take Tristan Bancks, for example. He is a multi-talented author who was once Tug from "Home and Away." He creates energetic book trailers and brings his unique energy to his books like the award-winning "Scar Town." Aaron Blabey, the author of "Pig the Pug" and "The Bad Guys," was also an actor, adding another dimension to his writing.

The Marketing Dilemma

When publishing a book in Australia, authors fill out author questionnaires for their publishers. These questionnaires ask about potential endorsements and media features. Many debut authors feel discouraged as they leave these sections blank, fearing they have already failed.The marketing budget of a book is a percentage of the expected revenue. Higher advances are based on projected sales. While celebrities may bring in higher sales, publishers still need to allocate resources to support their books. Picture book authors often receive lower advances, and their publicity and marketing may be limited. This means that the authors who need the most support may not get it.Every celebrity children's book under the Christmas tree is a missed opportunity to connect readers with writers. It undervalues both children as readers and the hard work of children's writers and illustrators.