Keith Richards is probably the absolute last person you would think of when talking about prominent children’s authors. Nevertheless, the Rolling Stones rocker is releasing a new kids’ book this fall entitled, Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar .
While Richards writing a book might surprise some, Gus & Me won’t be his first foray into authorship. Keith had previously written a rather thick autobiography called simply, Life in 2010 .
The Guardian reports that Richards ‘ children’s title will also be somewhat autobiographical as it is based on his own introduction to music and playing the guitar.
Theodore Augustus Dupree, played in a jazz big band and introduced the young Keith to music. Talking to the Guardian, the rocker explained his inspiration for the new title. “I have just become a grandfather for the fifth time, so I know what I’m talking about,” Keith Richards said. “The bond, the special bond, between kids and grandparents is unique and should be treasured. This is a story of one of those magical moments. May I be as great a grandfather as Gus was to me.”
Keith won’t be writing this book alone and he’s keeping the story in the family. The Los Angeles Times reports Theodora Dupree Richards, named for the singer’s grandfather is the main collaborator.
Though Theodora spends most of her time modeling, the younger Richards also attended the New York Academy of Art and the School of Visual Arts and will be doing the art in Gus & Me with pen and ink collages.
The elder Richards will be putting the text with Barnaby Harris and Bill Shapiro. The story in the book is certainly not completely new ground. Keith talked about getting his first guitar from his grandfather in the voluminous autobiography.
Gus & Me is going to be hitting store shelves in September, just in time for parents to read the story to their little ones at bedtime after a hard day at school. Richards’ hard copy will come complete with a CD and will also be available as a digital download.
Oddly enough, Keith is becoming a well known author not long after he made it known he’s had problems returning library books . The singer admitted last year that he has a couple of library books he checked out more than 50 years ago and never returned.
It seems likely Keith Richards would find it important for Children who check out his new work return it so others can enjoy it as well.
