Quvenzhané Wallis holds the record for the youngest-ever Best Actress Oscar nominee, and now she’s making her mark on another medium. The 14-year-old “Beasts of the Southern Wild” and “Annie” star is now also an author, Page Six reports. She’s releasing two children’s books through Simon and Schuster: “Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg,” the story of two best friends at a performing arts school, and “A Night Out with Mama,” a picture book inspired by her epic Oscar night experience.
“Reading is one of my favorite things to do,” she said during a recent appearance. “It’s something I would want everyone to do, especially teenagers my age. I don’t think we read as much as we should.”
Wallis, who reads all types of genres, collaborated on the books with co-author Nancy Ohlin.
“We basically told them our interest or story line, what we wanted the books to be about and how we wanted to get her message out,” explained Qulyndreia Wallis, Quvenzhané’s mother. “Then we found Nancy, who helped fine-tune her thoughts and put it together. From there, we would proof read and make sure it was said in a way she would say it and the books were formed.”
“I really hope that people my age enjoy reading these books,” Wallis added. “I’m excited about experiencing new things and sometimes it gets to the point where I might get a little obsessed with it. But I really enjoy writing and I can’t wait to do more.”
“I just keep doing what I’m doing and don’t ever give up,” Wallis has said. This attitude is part of what inspired her to play Annie in a 2014 reboot of the musical. “If she has goals, she’ll finish them, like me,” the actress explained. “We’re both confident.”
Wallis earned her Oscar nod in 2013 for “Beasts of the Southern Wild.” She was just nine years old at the time. Her other credits include “12 Years a Slave” and “Fathers & Daughters.”