Book Buzz: Beth Stern to publish new kids' book

Beth Stern, animal activist and Howard Stern's wife, is writing a new children's book.

Yoda: The Story of a Cat and His Kittens centers on an actual cat that Stern fostered and then later adopted. She found him at an animal shelter, malnourished and abused. Through his interactions with a litter of kittens Stern also fostered, Yoda began to get healthier. "We took Yoda to the vet last week for his regular check-up and he was astounded that Yoda's heart sounded healthier and stronger than his last visit just a few months earlier," Stern said in a news release. "My husband and I witnessed firsthand how love truly heals."

Stern, who wrote about animals in the 2010 book Oh My Dog, is spokesperson for the North Shore Animal League America. She's hosted Spoiled Rotten Pets and Posh Pets on HGTV and Hallmark Channel's annual Kitten Bowl and Hero Dog Awards.

The book, which will be written by Stern and illustrated by Devin Crane, is due in November from Aladdin Books.