Childrens Book “Gus & Me” Written By Keith Richards for His Daughter

Keith Richards has already won acclaim as an author for his award-winning 2010 memoir, Life.  Now the Rolling Stones guitarist is seeking more literary satisfaction by writing an autobiographical children's book.  Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar is a picture book in which the legendary rocker recounts how his beloved grandfather helped inspire his own love of playing music.

The publication, which is scheduled to be released September 9 in hardback and ebook formats, features pen-and-ink illustrations by Richards' 28-year-old daughter, Theodora.  The hardcover version will come packaged with a CD featuring bonus audio content.

Keith collaborated with Barnaby Harris and Bill Shapiro on the story, which focuses on Richards' childhood relationship with his grandfather, Theodore Augustus "Gus" Dupree.  Gus played music in a big jazz band, and encouraged Keith's own burgeoning interest in music.  The book, which celebrates the Richards clan's multi-generational love of the arts, includes a number of personal family photos.  Theodora Richards, who was named after Keith's granddad, based her illustrations on pictures from the family's collection.

"I have just become a grandfather for the fifth time, so I know what I'm talking about," says 70-year-old Keith about Gus & Me.  "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."

Adds Theodora, "When I found out they wanted me to be a part of this project, my immediate instinct was to say yes, and I am so happy I did.  To be able to explore my father's relationship with his grandfather was a gift in itself.  The things that I've learnt during this whole process have just been life-affirming."