Paul McCartney Pens First Children's Book

Culture
27 Sep 18

The former Beatles star has written his first picture book based on his experiences as a grandfather.

Puffin UK will be publishing a new picture book written by one of the world’s most famous and best loved grandfathers, Paul McCartney. Hey Grandude! will be released in September 2019. The heart-warming, family story is inspired by Paul’s own experience of being a grandfather.

The book will be illustrated by Kathryn Durst.

Speaking about the idea for the book, the English singer said, "I’ve got eight grandchildren and they’re all beautiful and one day one of them said to me “Hey Grandude!” I said “What?” and I thought, I kind of like that, so from then on I was kind of known as Grandude. So I thought, you know what, it’s actually a nice idea for a book, so I started to write some stories, and then I talked to the book publishers and they liked what I was doing."

"So basically" he continued, "it’s about a character called Grandude who represents grandfathers everywhere. He has four grandchildren and he calls them “Chillers”. They love him and they go on adventures with him and he’s kind of magical, so you’ll see that in the book. I wanted to write it for grandparents everywhere – and the kids – so it gives you something to read to the grand kids at bed time".

Illustrator Durst said, ‘I am thrilled to be able to create the illustrations for Hey Grandude! because I just love adventure stories with a touch of magic!"

McCartney is the newest addition in a line of musicians to venture into children’s literature, alongside fellow Beatle Ringo Starr and Keith Richards.

Paul has released a video in which he speaks about his upcoming book, recorded on his Freshen Up World tour, which will come to the UK in December and features songs from his latest album Egypt Station.