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The saga involving Kelly Clarkson and a Brooklyn novelty shop has taken yet another turn as the internet has pieced together a connection between the store and a beloved children’s book.
A dispute between the two parties has been rumbling since this weekend, when the 44-year-old “Breakaway” singer shared in an X post to her eight million followers that she had visited Brooklyn games store Art of Play and interacted with a “rude” sales associate in an experience she compared to a famous scene in Pretty Woman.
After Clarkson and the store traded barbs and accusations online over the singer’s desire to purchase a $15,000 wooden singing bird automaton known as Molly, one of the shop’s three owners, Adam Rubin, spoke to reporters Tuesday and declared that the American Idol winner “has put us in danger.” Security footage of the incident was then released Tuesday night by independent journalist Pablo Torre.
Now, internet sleuths have realized that Rubin is the author behind over a dozen children’s books, including the super popular Dragons Love Tacos.
Followers of the saga shared the connection on X, with one writing: “For people wondering.. this is Adam Rubin, a children’s author. You might’ve read the book Dragons Love Tacos, Secret Pizza Party, or High Five.”
Someone replied: “I didn’t realize that. My 5 year old daughter loves the Dragons Love Tacos books!”
Another wrote in a separate post: “And the co-owner of the store is children’s author Adam Rubin. I bought this book for my son a number of years ago … in the pre Mollygate era.”
On Instagram, one person wrote: “I’m shook. How is no one else taking about this aspect? Like, he’s also semi famous in book spaces.”
Rubin is a New York Times best-selling author of a dozen children’s books that have sold over 5 million copies combined, according to a bio on the Penguin Random House website.
In addition to Dragons Love Tacos, Rubin has also authored Dragons Love Tacos 2: The Sequel, High Five, Gladys the Magic Chicken, Secret Pizza Party, Robo-Sauce, the Those Darn Squirrels trilogy, and El Chupacabras. His most recent children’s book, 2024’sThe Truth About the Couch, was a “send-up of conspiracy theories,” according to an official description on the Penguin Random House site.
Rubin co-owns Art of Play with Dan and Dave Buck, well-known twin magicians with multiple film credits including Smokin’ Aces (2006) and Now You See Me (2013).
The Molly bird in question was crafted by Bliss Kolb, a craftsperson who creates wooden crank-operated automata in addition to paper goods, custom cabinetry, furniture, and more, according to their website.
The controversy was sparked after Clarkson approached the shop over the Molly bird, claiming to have noticed a $15,000 price tag attached. After she complained and lashed out at the shop over her treatment while asking about the automaton, claiming she was treated like Julia Roberts’s character in the film Pretty Woman, a back-and-forth ensued between the singer and the shop.
Art of Play has since upped the price tag on Molly to $15 million.
The Brooklyn store referenced the ongoing saga in a recent email sent to followers of the shop’s intimate 26-seat theater, 69 Atlantic. The theater hosts sleight of hand magic shows.
“See The World Famous Mechanical Bird,” the email’s subject letter read, as seen by The Independent.
“It doesn’t matter how famous or angry on twitter you are, the only way to see Molly in action is to join us for a show at 69 Atlantic,” the email read.
“Sincere thanks to everyone who has reached out to offer their support over the past few days. This community of amazing people who gather in real life to create real connections has made us feel protected and loved during this surreal onslaught of internet hatred.”
The Independent has reached out to Clarkson and the store for further comment.
