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Spike and Tonya Lee Discuss Their New Children's Book
Filed under: Books for Kids, Celeb News & Interviews
Spike and Tonya Lee have written a new children's book. Credit: Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
Among others, we're reminded of Albert Einstein, who had a "hard time learning to read, but whose theories became the basis for most of modern science," and Muhammad Ali, "the heavyweight champion who refused to pick up a gun against a fellow human being."
The Lees have been married since 1993, are parents to 16-year-old daughter, Satchel, and 13-year-old son, Jackson. They recently spoke with ParentDish about the book and getting their son to read. An edited version of the interview follows.
ParentDish: How did this book come about?
Tonya Lewis Lee: There was an editor at Simon & Schuster, where Spike and I had written two other children's books, who suggested we do something using historical figures. So we brainstormed and decided we wanted to write something that inspired people, but also paid homage to those that came before us.
PD: Was it hard to whittle down the list?
Spike Lee: Couldn't have everybody, but a lot more people could have been in it if it was a bigger book.
PD: So, you can include them in the sequel.
SL: Depends on how many books are sold.
PD: Did you fight over who to include?
SL: No, we don't fight. Whatever she wants to do, we do.
PD: There is a real diversity in who is included.
TLL: I think all of us get inspiration from all kinds of people. I've personally been inspired by people of all races and nationalities. We need to give it up to everyone.
PD: You included Barack Obama. You know that could be considered controversial.
SL: Why?
PD: Well, there are a lot of tea partiers who hate him.
SL: Well, they aren't buying this book, anyway.
TLL: He's still an inspiration!
PD: You have a 13-year-old son. Is it hard to get him to read?
TLL: Yeah, it's tough because he doesn't like to read. I know people are doing books for boys, but somehow it's just hard to get their attention. I find my son likes nonfiction a little bit. I just made him go through Amazon and find something he wanted to read and he came up with, "Sh*t My Dad Says." At least it's something.
PD: Would you care if he read comic books?
SL: I wish he would read comic books.
PD: My son loves your book "Please, Baby, Please."
TLL: At the time we embarked on it, our son was about 2. He was in that phase where he was into everything. I was talking to other parents of children that age and I realized I was not the only one who was trying to keep up with this curious 2 year old. So we wanted to do a book about a day in the life of a curious, energetic 2 year old.
PD: Spike, you've been working on documentaries lately. Has that been a rewarding experience?
SL: Well, the subject matter is not enjoyable, but it's been fulfilling doing the films.
PD: Do you feel with documentaries you can really change policy and opinions?
SL: That's still up for debate.
TLL: But you have. With "4 Little Girls," they did get going on that trial and they bought people to justice. It had a real impact.
PD: Your kids are teenagers. Do you get a lot of eye rolling?
TLL: A little bit, yes, but we give it right back.











ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
1-20-2011 @ 7:55AM
Read Aloud Dad branko said...Lovely idea for a book! I particularly like that they included Muhammad Ali - he is an inspiration for the very reason they listed.
Read Aloud Dad
www.ReadAloudDad.com
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1-22-2011 @ 8:52AM
Katana said...I don't get how just anyone and everyone these days can write and publish a book and call that literature worth reading. There is a nice FREE kid's activity book on HTTp://biT.ly/freebiesdaily It had some fun pages that also taught good skills like washing your hands and keeping clean teeth.
1-22-2011 @ 8:34AM
Chaz Goodman said...Spike?? Dude, do you really think this babe married you for you charm and goodlooks? I can't stand seeing these women marry dudes with money, and try to make themselves celebrities. Hey Spike, just for the record, you look like a GD idiot at the Knicks games.
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1-22-2011 @ 12:46PM
ackeegrl said...If these celebrities didn't have the money or status they wouldn't be with the beautiful women that you can't get because you are not rich enough to get their attention. So each person is getting something out of this relationship. They have been married since 93 so stop hating and not only is she beautiful, she is college educated and has a law degree.Having money dont' mean you get the first woman, it gives you a choice of women. He picked the smart one too. Go get a life and leave that man alone.
1-22-2011 @ 12:58PM
Chaz Goodman said...@Yackeegrl, so are you trying to claim that beautiful college educated women don't marry for money? And for the record, I have a beautiful wife that went for my charm and personality. LOL
1-22-2011 @ 8:38AM
Angelaontherloose said...Spike Lee is about the ugliest so-n-so i've ever seen. But he's a cool artist.
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1-22-2011 @ 8:49AM
jim said...another racist black................................
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1-22-2011 @ 10:17AM
CW said...Muhammed Ali is a coward. "Tea Baggers" are homosexual Democrats that sodomize each other and Spike Lee is a racist. He recently said that America is the most violent nation EVER!!!! He fails to mention that blacks make up 10 per cent of our population and they commit 50 per cent of the murders. Maybe that is why this nation is so violent. Hey Spike, which country in Africa would you rather live in? None, I bet.
1-22-2011 @ 12:38PM
ackeegrl said...Just the fact that 70% of the country is white and the rest mixed should tell you that the 10% of the population should not be making up 80% of the jail system. Research shows that whites commit crimes equal to the percentage of blacks or other minorities. 10 percent of whites would still be a huge number compared with 10 percent of blacks doing crime. Yet, out of those 10 percent of blacks doing crime most of them are jailed. Why? The system is still biased. Blacks are viewed as criminals even if they have the same education, same job, same income and live in the same neighborhood as the richest white man. Why did Will Smith get pulled over when he was driving in his neighborhood in an expensive car?
1-22-2011 @ 12:43PM
Gary said...This is more a response to CW,
Muhammed Ail is fine, kind and gentle man with high morals and beliefs. I' ve met him twice at local benefit events. He's all about doing positive things for children. these days.... ALL children, not just children of color. The boisterous loud man is gone to his disease but the spark, and sly smile tell all if you care to observe thw way he interacts.
A coward? Not the man I met.
1-22-2011 @ 1:29PM
ms.r said...its not suprising jim his choice . after all he also mentioned hassain.what do they have incommon? yeap you win
1-22-2011 @ 8:59AM
Karen G. said...Wow a real unbiased article-not. When an interviewer, ParentDish, refers to people as "tea baggers" then how can you trust that the interview was nothing more than a paid endorsement. Which in turn makes you distrust the book and asks the question what are we really aspiring our children to be?
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1-22-2011 @ 9:00AM
Duane said...Way to go Spike Lee!!! I love how you stand up for what you believe in despite who doesn't like it!! KEEP being real and true to yourself and telling the stories that others wouldnt dare to touch!!!
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1-22-2011 @ 12:15PM
Gary said...Yes, I find it refreshing th Spike remains true to his Racist mantra inspite of all else.
A person who aims at educating children yet insults people who do not agree with his view of a Socialist America by refering to them by a vulgar sex act?
Sure folks, that's the kind of thinking I want teaching my children....... NOT!
Spike before you attempt to teach, you need to learn.
1-22-2011 @ 3:53PM
HOWIE said...One of Hollywood's top 5 racist is writing a book. Amazing. F
Check an see your state is giving Hollywood millions of YOUR yax dollars . Demand YOUR money stop going to already millionairs an spend it in your on state.
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1-22-2011 @ 10:57AM
Richard L. Washburn said...Spike Lee is a very "small" man with his hateful, racist and negative comments about this country and people he disagrees with! His last few movies have been bombs, so thought he would write books.
He tried to bully Clint Eastwood in the past about his war movies and unlike others who would have apologized and ran from these comments, Mr. Eastwood told him to check his history facts and to stuff it!! Mr. Lee, blinked!
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1-22-2011 @ 12:34PM
ron said...Anyone who would look to Spike Lee to help parent is LOST or Black. Blacks need all the help they can get. Spike has long railed on whites, but marries a white. Idiot !
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1-22-2011 @ 11:14AM
CC said...Wow, what ugly comments about Spike, I don't think he is racist I think he talks about real issues and often folks don't like that in your face kind of reality. AND, his wife is a very accomplished woman, she is an attorney and they have been married for quite some time so whats the diss in her direction about. I am starting to realize that there is so much hate behind the comment profile, just folks that can't wait to find something nasty to say. Your life must really suck!! Positivity is an energy that brings good things into your life and clearly the energy you project is the energy that swirls around you, so try saying a kind thing once in a while and watch that patch of overcast start to fade. There is no way in the world happy people leave such nasty comments. Peace and light folks.
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1-22-2011 @ 11:32AM
Chaz Goodman said...CC, get a clue! Spike Lee is a clown! You ever see him courtside at the Knicks games? How the hell can he be taken seriously? Issues? It is one thing to talk about issues, and a complete other to do something about them. What is he doing besides lining his pockets with the money from people that can barely buy formula to feed their children? What is he doing to stop black on black crime. I sure don't see him facing the Crips and Bloods telling them to stop the violence. He is just another "Grandstanding" brother. When are black people going to wake the fk up? Stop blaming everyone for your own BS. Stop the crime aganst one another. Stopp all the teen pregnancies. Start making sure blacks are getting as much education as possible. Get them away from the rap music that glorifies drug dealing, killing, and fking all the women possible. When some of these issues are tackled, blacks will never be seen they want to be, and should be., So, put the guns down, if you want to have tons of sex, at least use condoms, turn the music down, and finally, GO TO SCHOOL AND EDUCATE YOURSELVES!! That's the only true way out of the BS. Now tell Spike that I said, "Hello".
1-22-2011 @ 12:31PM
Gary said...CC,
You chide others for their negativity and defend Spike Lee? WOW! What a study in contradiction!
Spike Lee is probably the second least tolerant black person next to "Reverend Louis Farahkan"!
If one offers an opinion counter to his views he in openly vulgar, rude, insulting, and demeaning to that person and this is someone to be defended as "positive"????
Dr and Coretta King, Muhammed Ali, sure wonderful people who wish(ed) to leave a positive legacy...... Spike Lee! I small minded little person who' will leave a lecgacy of hate and intollerance. It's his "black heart" not the color of his skin that should be of concern to parents thinking about purchasing his "childrens books"
Not a person I wish as a role model for my children!!!