Parton's own book to be part of literacy program

June 27, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — Dolly Parton created a charity 13 years ago to provide books to children and encourage literacy.

Now her first children’s book, “I Am a Rainbow,” will be featured in the philanthropy.

The 63-year-old Parton says working on projects for children gives her a chance to play and live a second childhood.

The book she wrote describes how colors can be used to explain emotions children have.

Parton had no say in the book’s selection for her charity, Imagination Library. A committee of teachers, child development experts and parents picks the books supplied to 1,000 communities in 47 states, the United Kingdom and Canada.

Sister-in-law accused of stealing from Cook

WOBURN, Mass. — Dane Cook’s sister-in-law has pleaded not guilty to charges she helped her husband steal millions of dollars from the comedian.

Erika McCauley was arraigned Thursday and ordered held on $1 million bail. Darryl McCauley, Cook’s half brother and McCauley’s husband, pleaded not guilty in March to larceny and forgery.

Authorities say state police recently found more than $700,000 hidden in the McCauleys’ homes in Wilmington, Mass., and York Beach, Maine. State police found nearly $900,000 in December.

Death leads to jump in Jackson music sales

NEW YORK — Michael Jackson’s death has led to skyrocketing sales of his music and videos online.

After the pop icon’s death was announced Thursday, Amazon.com sold out within minutes all CDs by Jackson and the Jackson 5. That comes Friday from vice president of music and video Bill Carr.

Carr says 60 percent of Amazon’s CD orders Thursday were for Jackson’s music, something he called “stunning.”

And Barnes and Noble said that its Web site and brick-and mortar stores are currently sold out of most Jackson CDs, DVDs and books.

Both companies say they are working to get the products back in stock.

Mother of Jackson’s kids is inconsolable

LOS ANGELES — A lawyer who represented Debbie Rowe in a custody matter says the mother of two of Michael Jackson’s three children is inconsolable.

Attorney Iris Finsilver says she was the one who told Rowe of Jackson’s death.

The attorney says she isn’t currently representing Rowe but has no doubt Rowe will seek custody of the children.

Finsilver says she doesn’t know if Rowe has been having visits with the children, Prince Michael Joseph Jackson and Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson. Rowe and Jackson married in 1996 and divorced in 1999.

Finsilver says Rowe is trying to grasp the fact that Jackson has died. She says Rowe loved Jackson for a long time.

In a prepared statement released by Finsilver, Rowe calls Jackson “a beautiful and loving soul.”

Today’s birthdays

Singer Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys is 67. Actress Julia Duffy (“Newhart”) is 58. Actress Isabelle Adjani is 54. Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 50. Writer-director J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Alias”) is 43. TV personality Jo Frost (“Supernanny”) is 39. Actor Yancey Arias (“Kingpin”) is 38. Actor Tobey Maguire (“Spider-Man”) is 34. Singer Leigh Nash (Sixpence None The Richer) is 33. Actor Drake Bell (“Drake and Josh”) is 23. Actor Ed Westwick (“Gossip Girl”) is 22.