Bruce Springsteen Writes Children's Book

Outlaw Pete is based on his 2009 song of the same name

Published 29th Aug 2014

Bruce Springsteen has co-written a children’s book based on his 2009 song Outlaw Pete.

Loosely in keeping with the ‘Working on a Dream’ opener’s themes, Outlaw Pete tells the story of a bank-robbing baby whose exploits become a meditation on sin, fate, and free will.

Springsteen joined forces with writer and cartoonist Frank Caruso and took direct influence from the 1950s book Brave Cowboy Bill, which his mum read to him as a child.

“Outlaw Pete is essentially the story of a man trying to outlive and outrun his sins,” Springsteen said.

Caruso added: “When Bruce wrote ‘Outlaw Pete’ he didn’t just write a great song, he created a great character.

“The first time I heard the song this book played out in my head. Like Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn, Dorothy Gale and for me, even Popeye, Outlaw Pete cuts deep into the folklore of our country and weaves its way into the fabric of great American literary characters.”

Outlaw Pete is released in America via Simon & Schuster on Tuesday 4th November. A UK release is yet to be announced.