Snoop Dogg Working On Children's Book Series

While Feist, LL Cool J and Kimya Dawson are jumping on the Sesame Street bandwagon, Snoop Dogg is reaching out to kids in a different way. The Doggfather is working on a series of children's books called Where's The Cheese that's being illustrated by Snoop's cousin, Joe Cool. The books centre on a mouse named Lil Cheese and are intended for city children who face challenges.

This announcement comes after Snoop (real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus) revealed last month that he was co-producing an animated television series for Comedy Central with Tom Lynch, who worked on OutKast member Andre 3000's Class Of 3000 series. The still untitled TV series, which should air next year, will feature a teenage Snoop Dogg growing up in California.

Meanwhile, the British government is still trying to prevent Snoop from entering the U.K. The rapper and five members of his entourage were arrested at London's Heathrow Airport for violent disorder and starting a brawl after one member of Snoop's party was denied entry into British Airways' first-class lounge in April 2006. He was denied a U.K. tour visa last year, which resulted in the cancellation of a British tour. That ban was lifted earlier this year after Snoop appealed it, but the U.K. Border Agency is challenging that decision.

Snoop also recently settled a lawsuit with his former label, Priority Records. He sued the label in 2006 over a greatest hits package that he said Priority didn't have permission to release. Snoop claimed it was a breach of contract and that the company owed him $2 million U.S. in royalties. Details of the settlement weren't released.