Perez Hilton to publish children's book. Really?

Top gossip blogger Perez Hilton will publish a children's book with Penguin, it was announced Tuesday. The book will be called "The Boy With Pink Hair."

Hilton himself, who has often switched up his style, had pink hair on the cover of his 2009 book, "Red Carpet Suicide." That book can now be gotten in hardcover, new, for as little as $2.11 on Amazon. In paperback, it's one penny.

More than once I've heard people in publishing grumble about the glut of celebrity books, which often get large advances yet fail to enthuse readers. They wind up remaindered, or being sold brand new for pocket change.

But this is a little much. Perez Hilton isn't a celebrity, he's a blogger (not that there's anything wrong  with that) who writes about celebrities. He's got an amusingly snarky sense of humor and a clumsy talent with MSpaint.

What can we expect of the book? Penguin writes:

"The Boy With Pink Hair" is the story of a child born with a shock of fabulous hair that sets him apart from his peers. While some find this difference hard to accept or understand, "The Boy With Pink Hair" uses the opportunity to find what makes him special and share it with the world. The children’s book is illustrated with vibrant retro-feeling art by first-time illustrator Jen Hill, putting into pictures the fun that comes with embracing individuality.

Hilton, whose given name is Mario Lavandeira, told The Times in 2008, "I want my own little empire." He has a syndicated radio show, but his clothing line with Hot Topic, which was rumored to have fizzled at its launch, is no longer stocked by the stores. Hilton still has his popular website, though -- where he promised, last fall, he'd start being nice. 

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Save us from ourselves: Perez Hilton has a book

-- Carolyn Kellogg

Photo: Perez Hilton shows off his Britney Spears shirt to Justin Bieber at the premiere of Bieber's film "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never." Credit: Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Comments

[PankoFig]

So who is going to write the nex kid's book? Howard Stern? Bill Maher? Osama Bin Laden?

[Scott]

There's a lot of money in children's books. I can't think of a more shallow reason to go into writing children's books. What's his first one, "The Boy Who Wanted To Build an Empire"???

[Grandmama]

I won't be buying that book for my grandson. Perez Hilton is just trash, plain and simple.

[Ted]

The unfortunate trend of celebrities who suddenly fancy themselves Dr. Seusses (Seussii...?) hits an all-time low with this one. Lavandeira has proved himself time and again a despicable human being; the last person who should be writing for children no matter what the message. Add to the fact that he is an utter hypocrite when it comes to accepting others, and one wonders what the people at Penguin were thinking.

[baseball fan]

"Top" gossip blogger? hardly - this joke backfired on himself - the more self-centered you are the less self-aware you are and social disaster follows

[Polomoche]

I somehow doubt he'll be making his usual doodles on the illustrations

[Karen]

I'll be sure NOT to buy it or let any kid I know read it. Perez Hilton is a nutcase and why ANYONE gives him any media (including you LA Times) is beyond me.

[jodyr]

Really? "Amusingly snarky sense of humor?" Like everything else, what's passing for "amusing" has a low bar to hurdle these days.

[Tom]

There is no way I'd let this guy anywhere near my child's reading material. And by the way, didn't they do this 63 years ago, and better, with the film The Boy with Green Hair? "This parable looks at public reaction when the hair of an American war orphan mysteriously turns green."

Thanks for staying classy and original Perez. :(

[John]

No way would I buy a book by this guy. Thanks for the heads up.

[John]

Waste of money and time even to consider this guy. How many of you want to bring this person into your home--and for your little kids no less.

[JimH]

Well, this is excellent news.

That gives me one more of his books that I won't be buying.

[krvonl]

LA Times, thank you for the early warning. I'll avoid his book like the plague.

[a.]

WHY?!

[RuhRoh]

Really? One born every minute and it looks like Penguin Books was the recent delivery on this deal...

[kalalaumango]

let us hope he went to the lavanderia before penguin's questionable deal, yet, since samuel clemens is being re-written, and people feeding off the work of others are suddenly filled with anecdotes for healthy child-rearing or fables (if not foibles) for children -- it reminds me of the paparazzi i came across in malibu, who made excuses for his bottom feeder antics and reprehensible contributions to the problematic tabloid cutlure as a means to support his music in a band. not music i want hear, mr. dj.

[James]

What's the title of his new children's book "Jack and Bill Went Up the Hill"?

[Shawn]

Well, since he clearly thinks and behaves like a child, as long as he can keep the bad language out of it, maybe he is on to something...

[Joe Citizen]

"Shame on you Perez Hilton"
This is just wrong , Which parent in their right mind will purchase a book that has a "Homosexual agenda ". we as adults are subjected to this all the time , but its time to draw the line .

Joe C

[LA to NY]

Someone who swears in the face of a 6 year old child shouldn't be given the opportunity to poluute the minds of children. This man should not be getting the attention he is receiving. He is trash!!!

[peaches]

Keep this evil troll away from my children. From anyone's children, for that matter.

[jen hill]

It's really a sweet book- I'm honored to have illustrated it. You'll be surprised!

[Bambi]

Now, I'm not defending Hilton. I'm certainly not a fan but -- are you saying 'he's not even a movie star, he's someone who writes for a living. Why on earth would someone who writes for a living get a book deal?' cause I'm honestly confused as to why that's shocking.

If we're just amazed that Hilton's got a book deal then, well, I'm on board. He's a huge waste of internet real estate.

[sellery]

At least with picture books you can quickly review it in a bookstore and see if it is appropriate for your child. I have to reserve judgment until then. Let the stars get their books published, but if it is not good it will not last unlike the books of Robert Munsch , Beatrice potter and Dr. Seuss. What this will do is just make us writers work harder at making a better book and find our own markets. It will then become a loss to the publishers.