Rush Limbaugh: rightwing talkshow host to bestselling children's author

Name: Rush Limbaugh.

Age: 63.

Appearance: Angry face drawn on a pink dish.

Occupation: Radio talkshow host, rightwing firebrand, children's author.

I'll admit I didn't know about the last one. Not surprising. Limbaugh remains more famous for his bilious attacks on "leftwing" politicians and institutions. He recently branded the pope's economic views as "pure Marxism".

That seems a little crazy. He once said: "We exhale CO2. If it were a poison, it wouldn't be a part of the way we stay alive."

And this idiot writes children's books? Yup. Rush is the author of two books for kids, Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims and Rush Revere and the First Patriots.

Who is Rush Revere? He's a freedom-loving, time-travelling supply teacher with a talking horse named Liberty.

Uh-huh. And he looks just like Rush Limbaugh, or rather the colonial-costumed caricature of Limbaugh that graces the labels of a brand of iced tea he promotes.

I see. And Rush Revere goes back in time to meet the historical figures who made America the single greatest country in the history of the world.

He sounds like a jerk. He's very popular. The first book, published in October, is still on the New York Times children's bestseller list.

Be honest – are the books any good? Kids seem to like them – and Amazon reviews are overwhelmingly positive – but some critics have questioned their accuracy.

Include me in that. Horses can't talk. Last week Limbaugh was named as one of four finalists for book of the year at the Children's and Teen Choice Book Awards.

And what rabid rightwing pressure group is behind that prize? The Children's Book Council. It's sort of a nonprofit trade association.

What did it think was so great about Limbaugh's book? Nothing. The finalists are determined by sales figures.

Really? I was all set to be angry with someone on social media. Now I don't know what to do. Maybe you could go for a run or something.

Do say: "I suppose it doesn't matter if it's corny jingoistic propaganda, as long as it gets kids reading."

Don't say: "To the time portal, Liberty! Let's go kick Karl Marx's fat red ass!"