Whether she’s selecting the next great read for her book club, entertaining us on the big screen, authoring children’s books or enjoying time at her Nashville estate, Reese Witherspoon embodies the spirit of Tennessee while making her mark on the world. Reese Witherspoon, the Academy Award-winning actress, producer, and founder of Hello Sunshine, has brought her storytelling talents to children’s literature with the Busy Betty series. These books, illustrated by Xindi Yan, feature an exuberant and creative young character who tackles challenges with enthusiasm and big ideas.
About Busy Betty
The Busy Betty series centers around a young girl named Betty, who is always busy, full of questions, and brimming with ideas. Witherspoon describes Betty as a “larger-than-life character who encourages young readers to tackle each obstacle with enthusiasm, excitement, and big ideas.” The books aim to teach children about adaptability, resilience, and finding new solutions to problems3
Books in the Series
So far, there are two books in the Busy Betty series:
Busy Betty: In the first book, Betty prepares for her friend Frank’s visit but creates a disastrous mess along the way.
Busy Betty & the Circus Surprise: Betty plans a surprise circus-themed birthday party for her mom, but realizes the birthday is actually next month. When Betty’s party plans go awry, her mother and friends encourage her to turn her mess into a success.
Witherspoon is currently working on another Busy Betty book with a holiday theme planned for next year.
The Busy Betty books have been well-received, with praise for Yan’s vivid illustrations and Witherspoon’s engaging storytelling. Kirkus Reviews calls Busy Betty & the Circus Surprise “a sure bet for a kid-tested, puppy-approved storytime.” The School Library Journal notes that Busy Betty is “a fun and high-spirited story.”
About Reese’s Book Club
Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club, a celebrity book club run under her media company Hello Sunshine, has become a literary force since its inception in 2017. Known for spotlighting women-centered novels, the club has significantly boosted the careers of numerous female authors and cultivated a vibrant community of readers.
Each month, Witherspoon selects a book, often penned by a female author, to highlight as her Book Club Pick. These selections span various genres, from fiction and memoirs to romance and thrillers. The club provides easy access to readers through its Instagram page, app, and website. There is no cost to join Reese’s Book Club; all that is required is setting up a profile on the app to start reading.
Reese’s Book Club has earned a reputation for boosting book sales and increasing the visibility of women’s stories. By 2019, no Book Club Pick had sold fewer than 10,000 copies, with selected novels reportedly outselling other fiction books by 700%. The success of the book club has cemented Witherspoon’s status as a tastemaker in the literary world.
Many of the books chosen by the club have been adapted into films and television series by Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine. Some of the adaptations include:
- Little Fires Everywhere
- Where the Crawdads Sing
- Daisy Jones & The Six
- The Last Thing He Told Me
- Tiny Beautiful Things
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
