Bette Midler writes children’s book
CELEBRITIES
Bette Midler is using words and pictures to tell a New York story.
Midler’s picture book, “The Tale of the Mandarin Duck,” will be published Feb. 16, Random House Books for Young Readers announced Thursday. With a story based on a real duck seen in Central Park in 2018, the book combines Midler’s words, photographs by former book critic Michiko Kakutani and illustrations by Joana Avillez.
Midler said in a statement she thought of the book after seeing Kakutani’s pictures of the duck in the park.
“It came to me practically overnight: the duck that had enchanted an entire city,” she said. “The real duck’s visit to New York was a cause for celebration; everyone who saw him fell instantly in love. I wanted to memorialize his visit, and let readers know that the natural world is full of creatures just like him, if we only take the time to raise our eyes and actually see them.”
Williams, West get Dove nods: Christian artists Zach Williams and for
King & Country are the leading artist nominees at this year’s Dove Awards, while rapper Kanye West and singer Gloria Gaynor earned their first-ever nominations.
The Gospel Music Association announced Thursday the nominations for this year’s show, which will be aired on Oct. 30.
Williams earned five nominations including artist of the year and song of the year. For King & Country, a brother duo made up of Luke and Joel Smallbone, also earned five nods including artist of the year and contemporary Christian artist of the year.
West earned three nominations stemming from his album “Jesus Is
King.” Gaynor scored two nominations following the release of her gospel album “Testimony.”
Parton, Bieber among fest stars: Dolly Parton, Cate Blanchett and Justin Bieber are part of the virtual edition of the Paley Center’s annual festival celebrating TV programs and their makers.
PaleyFest LA taped socially distanced discussions with stars and producers that began streaming free this week on the Paley Center’s YouTube channel. The showcased series include “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings,” “Justin Bieber: Seasons,” “One Day at a Time,” “Mrs. America” and “Queer Eye.”
TV fans can enjoy seeing the conversations with the casts and creators of the shows that “they’ve come to love, all from the comfort of home,” said Maureen J. Reidy, the Paley Center’s president and CEO.
Meyer says more ‘Twilight’ books planned:
Stephenie Meyer is planning at least two more books in her “Twilight Saga,” she said during an online event held Monday by Books-A-Million. Meyer once vowed never to write another “Twilight” book.
“There are two more books I think in the world that I want to write,” she said. “I have got them outlined and a chapter written I think of the first one, so I know it’s there. I am not ready to do that right now. I want to do something brand new.”
Aug. 14 birthdays: Singer Dash Crofts is 80. Singer David Crosby is 79. Singer Connie Smith is 79. Actor Steve Martin is 75. Novelist Danielle Steel is 73. Cartoonist Gary Larson is 70. Actor Jackee Harry is 64. Singer Sarah Brightman is 60. Actor Susan Olsen is 59. Actor Halle Berry is 54. Actor Catherine Bell is 52. Actor Mila Kunis is 37.