The best picture books on the rocky road to stardom

Why am I passionate about this?

My name is David Seow, I’ve been a huge entertainment fan since I was a child and met Jack Lord when he came to Singapore. I’ve been fascinated by celebrities and what drove them to succeed. Since then, I’ve amassed a collection of over 400 celebrity autographs. My passion for the entertainment scene and celebrities led me to work as a freelance entertainment journalist and a sitcom scriptwriter. For the past 26 years, I have followed my other passion of writing children’s picture books, and I have published 48 books to date, some of which I’ve gifted to some of my favourite celebrities.


I wrote...

The Power of Michelle Yeoh: Ballet, Stunts, Stardom!

By David Seow, Soefara Jafney (illustrator),

Book cover of The Power of Michelle Yeoh: Ballet, Stunts, Stardom!

What is my book about?

Michelle Yeoh was, a small girl from a small town with big ballet dreams. After a bad back injury shattered her dreams, she bravely carried on and pursued a new dream of acting in Cantonese-language movies. But there was one problem: She could hardly speak the language. 

Though she faced many challenges, she never gave up, worked hard, and faced her fears. And she made history by becoming the first Asian to win the Best Actress Oscar! That’s the Power of Michelle Yeoh!

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Just Being Audrey

David Seow Why did I love this book?

Audrey Hepburn was a little lady with the biggest heart.

I loved this book so much that I’ve reread it several times. I was hooked from the start to the finish, from her childhood in war-torn Europe to her work as a goodwill ambassador with UNICEF. The author perfectly describes Audrey’s grace, style, and compassion.

This is one of the best picture book biographies I’ve read. I wish I had met her. I love this book.

By Margaret Cardillo, Julia Denos (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Just Being Audrey as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

From Roman Holiday to Breakfast at Tiffany's, when Audrey Hepburn starred in a movie, she lit up the screen. Her unique sense of fashion, her grace, and, most important, her spirit made her beloved by generations. But her life offscreen was even more luminous. As a little girl growing up in Nazi-occupied Europe, she learned early on that true kindness is the greatest measure of a person-and it was a lesson she embodied as she became one of the first actresses to use her celebrity to shine a light on the impoverished children of the world through her work with…


Book cover of The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan

David Seow Why did I love this book?

Jackie packs a powerful punch!

I was drawn to this highly entertaining and informative picture book about his early years and his strict training at the China Drama Academy. He was there for ten years, and survived the tougher than tough18 hour days! I laughed at his very first real-life stunt, which must have inspired his movie stunts, youthful hijinks, and fearlessness when it came to taking risks.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet Jackie several times so this was a must-read for me.

By Kristen Mai Giang, Alina Chau (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Rise (and Falls) of Jackie Chan as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

An action-packed picture book biography about Hollywood actor, stuntman, and beloved superstar Jackie Chan! A great read for Chan fans hoping to share their love of Rush Hour, Supercop, and Jackie's original brand of martial arts with their ready-to-tumble tyke.

Pow! Bam! Wow!

Jackie Chan has been making movies and amazing audiences with his original and comedic stunts for decades.

Pow! Bam! Ow!

But before he was an international star, Jackie grew up in relative poverty in China, studied martial arts at the grueling China Drama Academy, and worked for years trying to find his way in film.

Pow! Bam!…


Book cover of Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography

David Seow Why did I love this book?

A little star swiftly turns into a superstar!

I was lucky enough to meet Taylor, so I dove into this book with gusto. It’s an easy and highly engaging read. I love how the author emphasizes the importance of Taylor’s values: hard work, perseverance, and love of a supportive family. What I found particularly appealing was the adorable description of how an 11-year-old Taylor had the gumption to hand out CDS of her music to record execs in Nashville! Five years later, she released her first album and it was a hit!

I love how this talented young lady has used her life experiences—both good and bad—to build a bridge to success. This is a well-researched, inspirational, and enjoyable read. 

By Wendy Loggia, Elisa Chavarri (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Taylor Swift as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, 7, and 8.

What is this book about?

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Celebrate global superstar Taylor Swift with this collectible Little Golden Book, which tells her inspiring life story alongside gorgeous original illustrations!

“A must-have for any Taylor Swift collection.”—Rolling Stone

Taylor never lets anything hold her back from creating music she loves.

With full-color illustrations on every page, Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography brings her story to life—from her childhood living on a Christmas tree farm, where she discovered her passion for songwriting, to her early days on Nashville’s Music Row and her rise as one of the biggest stars in pop music. When you’re…


Book cover of Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe

David Seow Why did I love this book?

The softest, gentlest voices are heard the loudest.

I found it fascinating that these two very different women faced similar obstacles yet they had the courage and tenacity to help one another overcome them. I think this book perfectly illustrates that anyone–no matter his/her background–has the ability to "make their voices heard" no matter the challenges they face and that’s why I love it.

By Vivian Kirkfield, Alleanna Harris (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Making Their Voices Heard as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

The true story of how Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe's friendship helped these incredible women overcome prejudice and fulfill their dreams.

"This warm story emphasizes Ella's role in her success, thus avoiding the trap of the white-savior narrative. Many white artists have benefited from imitating black ones; this is the rare narrative to acknowledge that... saturated with color, they capture the iconic looks of the two stars. A good volume to include in a larger conversation about friendship, allyship, and social justice."-Kirkus Reviews

"An inspiring story about 20th-century icons that will be unfamiliar to most young readers."-School Library Journal

"Focusing…


Book cover of Serena Williams: A Kid's Book About Mental Strength and Cultivating a Champion Mindset

David Seow Why did I love this book?

This is one grand slam of a picture book biography, in my opinion.

The author’s use of the first-person narrative made me feel like I was part of Serena’s journey to success. I learned so much about her that I did not know, like how she started playing with tennis racquets for grown-ups. I love how much emphasis is placed on the importance her family played in her success on the courts.

Serena is truly an inspiration both on and off the tennis courts.

By Mary Nhin, Yuliia Zolotova (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Serena Williams as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Follow Serena William's life as she shows us how mental strength is cultivated and what it takes to become a champion.

In the new Mini Movers and Shakers children’s book series comes a cast of characters who have failed, yet succeeded despite overwhelming obstacles. Find out what happens in this kid’s book about keeping your hope.

Sometimes, we are faced with challenges that seem insurmountable. But with grit and hard work, one can achieve great things!

Mini Movers and Shakers was developed to inspire children to dream big and work hard. Fun, relatable characters in graphic style books easy enough…


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Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

By Kerry Aradhya, Kara Kramer (illustrator),

Book cover of Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

Kerry Aradhya Author Of Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Not long ago, while rummaging through old storage containers in our garage, I came across a board game I had invented during elementary school. But I hadn’t made it for a school project or because anyone had asked me to make it. I had made it simply because I was passionate about creating…and I still am. As a children’s author, science editor, and dancer, I am fascinated by the creative process. I chose these books because they depict many of the ups, downs, and often unexpected outcomes of the creative process, all within the context of inventions for kids!

Kerry's book list on nonfiction picture books with inventions kids love

What is my book about?

This picture book biography of Ernő Rubik, creator of the Rubik’s Cube, reveals the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind the creation of this fascinating and sometimes frustrating puzzle.

A solitary child, Ernő Rubik grew up in post-World War II Hungary, curious about puzzles, art, nature, and their underlying patterns and structures.

As a young professor of architecture, and in a quest to help his students understand three-dimensional movement, he fashioned a cube made up of smaller cubes that twisted and turned without breaking, unexpectedly inventing the most popular puzzle in history!

Ernő Rubik and His Magic Cube

By Kerry Aradhya, Kara Kramer (illustrator),

What is this book about?

This first picture book biography of Erno Rubik, creator of the Rubik’s Cube, reveals the obsession, imagination, and engineering process behind the creation of a bestselling puzzle that will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.

In 2023, the world record for solving the Rubik’s Cube was broken by Max Park, who finished in 3.13 seconds!

And then there’s you. Did you ever get so frustrated with a Rubik’s Cube that you wanted to pull it apart and put it back together in order? Were you to do so, you’d see how cleverly one of the world’s most popular toys is…


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