Channing Tatum tops NYT BestSellers list with new children’s picture book The One and Only Sparkella

Channing Tatum tops NYT BestSellers list with new children’s picture book, The One and Only Sparkella


He’s known for his roles on the silver screen.

But Channing Tatum is celebrating a new status as he landed at the top of the New York Times BestSellers list with his new children’s picture book, The One and Only Sparkella.

The 41-year-old actor was ‘literally speechless’ upon seeing his work on the coveted catalog as he tweeted: ‘Ten year old me would never believe this.’

Author: Channing Tatum is celebrating a new status as he landed at the top of the New York Times BestSellers list with his new children’s picture book, The One and Only Sparkella

His new book tells the story of a father and daughter, and was inspired by conversations with his own little girl, Everly. 

‘Say what?!?! #1 on the @NYTimes Bestseller List!! I’m literally speechless right now!!! Ten year old me would never believe this,’ he tweeted. ‘Evie and I want to thank each and every one of you for all of the #Sparkella love. I couldn’t be more excited right now! THANK YOU!!’

Tatum enlisted the help of Kim Barnes for illustrations on the short story which follows a little girl named Ella as she ’embraces her individuality.’

So cool: The 41-year-old actor was 'literally speechless' upon seeing his work on the coveted catalog as he tweeted: 'Ten year old me would never believe this.'

So cool: The 41-year-old actor was ‘literally speechless’ upon seeing his work on the coveted catalog as he tweeted: ‘Ten year old me would never believe this.’

'It wasn't like I had this giant idea that I wanted to write a kids' book,' he recently told PEOPLE magazine. 'It was just something that I noticed in my daughter, watching her for the very first time become self-conscious'

‘It wasn’t like I had this giant idea that I wanted to write a kids’ book,’ he recently told PEOPLE magazine. ‘It was just something that I noticed in my daughter, watching her for the very first time become self-conscious’

‘It wasn’t like I had this giant idea that I wanted to write a kids’ book,’ he recently told PEOPLE magazine. ‘It was just something that I noticed in my daughter, watching her for the very first time become self-conscious.’

Tatum recalled a time when Everly was worried about standing out at preschool for wearing a unique outfit that she loved.  

‘She would wear a cape that, when you held your arms out, you [looked like] a slice of watermelon,’ he said. ‘And it was one of her favorites. But she didn’t want to wear it to school, and when I asked her why, she said, “I don’t want to get made fun of.” 

Just the two of us: Tatum enlisted the help of Kim Barnes for illustrations on the short story which follows a little girl named Ella as she 'embraces her individuality'

Just the two of us: Tatum enlisted the help of Kim Barnes for illustrations on the short story which follows a little girl named Ella as she ’embraces her individuality’

Dad duty: The book is certainly inspired by Channing's relationship with his seven-year-old daughter, and is full of their own little jokes

Dad duty: The book is certainly inspired by Channing’s relationship with his seven-year-old daughter, and is full of their own little jokes

'If it's wearing a tutu or painting your nails or wearing makeup — who cares? It just worked for me,' he said. 'I see dads sometimes, and ... being a parent is hard. I wanted the book to be a little bit of a letter to them. Just play — you'll be rewarded with love'

‘If it’s wearing a tutu or painting your nails or wearing makeup — who cares? It just worked for me,’ he said. ‘I see dads sometimes, and … being a parent is hard. I wanted the book to be a little bit of a letter to them. Just play — you’ll be rewarded with love’

‘So I wanted to make this little story about this girl who is very unique and really likes to shine.’ 

The book is certainly inspired by Channing’s relationship with his seven-year-old daughter, and is full of their own little jokes.

‘A lot [in the book] is stuff that Evie and I do. Like I do call her “Glitter Poop,”‘ he said. ‘I was really nervous when I became a single dad, and having to raise a little girl, not being able to have the resource of a woman there to be able to lean into how to relate to her as she grows up. I literally went to YouTube and learned how to braid hair.’

Channing shares co-parenting responsibilities with his ex-wife, Jenna Dewan. The couple separated in April 2018 after nearly ten years of marriage and finalized their divorce in November 2019.

Through his single father status, Tatum discovered ‘was just to go into her world and connect with her in any way.’

He added: ‘If it’s wearing a tutu or painting your nails or wearing makeup — who cares? It just worked for me. I see dads sometimes, and … being a parent is hard. I wanted the book to be a little bit of a letter to them. Just play — you’ll be rewarded with love.’

In the past: Channing shares co-parenting responsibilities with his ex-wife, Jenna Dewan. The couple separated in April 2018 after nearly ten years of marriage and finalized their divorce in November 2019; seen in 2015

In the past: Channing shares co-parenting responsibilities with his ex-wife, Jenna Dewan. The couple separated in April 2018 after nearly ten years of marriage and finalized their divorce in November 2019; seen in 2015