Kate Gosselin has a new book, "I Just Want You to Know," scheduled for release in April.

Christian book publisher Zondervan said Tuesday the book features excerpts, prayers and memories from Gosselin's journal, offering readers a look at her life during the three years her family went from obscurity to fame on TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8."

Zondervan says the book includes eight individual letters, one addressed to each one of her children, covering a variety of topics.

"Jon & Kate Plus 8" filmed the lives of the Gosselins and their eight children -- twins and sextuplets -- at their home in Wernersville, Pa. Their marriage dissolved, and the show ended last year.

Gosselin is the author of "Multiple Blessings" and "Eight Little Faces."

The teen father of Sarah Palin's grandson is featured on the cover of the upcoming print version of Playgirl magazine -- sporting nothing but a sultry gaze.

The nude photos of Levi Johnston -- the 19-year-old former fiance of Palin's daughter -- were a huge hit last fall on the magazine's website. The publisher expects the same results with other photos from the same shoot running in the newly resurrected print version available Feb. 22.

Johnston fathered a son with ex-fiancee Bristol, the 19-year-old daughter of the former Republican vice presidential candidate who resigned as Alaska's governor last summer. The young couple broke up after the birth of their son, Tripp, in late 2008.

Magazine spokesman Daniel Nardicio says the spread includes an interview with Johnston, who discussed his strained relationship with the Palins.

Nancy Kerrigan's family is lashing out at the medical examiner who ruled Dan Kerrigan's death a homicide ... according to the family's attorney.

The lawyer, Tracy Miner, says, "The Kerrigan family is extremely disappointed that the medical examiner would release a cause of death without having all of the relevant facts. We believe this finding to be premature and inaccurate."

The Kerrigans are also standing by Nancy's brother Mark -- who was arrested and charged with assault and battery and could now face more serious charges -- saying, "The Kerrigan family does not blame anyone for the unfortunate death of Dan Kerrigan, who had a pre-existing heart condition."

The M.E. ruled Daniel died from cardiac dysrhythmia after suffering a neck injury during the struggle with his son.

Barbra Streisand obviously doesn't need much money thanks to her ridiculously successful career, but to hear that she turned down a $100 million Las Vegas contract ... that takes some chutzpah! The songstress was apparently offered a Celine-like gig for three years on the Strip but ditched it to do what she does best -- a normal tour, Popeater.com reports.

"After Celine Dion left Vegas, no one has been able to replace her. Bette Milder failed, Cher is trying, only Barbra is guaranteed to succeed," an insider told Popeater.com. "She's an international star and the only performer in the world that would make people flock to Vegas year after year."

In the wake of some mild haterade directed at Taylor Swift's Grammy night performance, Naomi Judd has come to the young singer's defense, penning a letter to the editor of the Tennessean, lambasting the cynics and praising Swift for not only having "single-handedly introduced country music to a much-welcomed younger demographic" but for serving as a "sorely needed role model."

"Remember the puzzles, 'What's wrong with this picture?' " writes Judd. "You search for faults, ignoring the overall picture."

Swift, Judd continues, "not only sings well enough to strike a chord with a huge audience ... she writes, dances, acts and is a dazzling performer. Taylor is the best-dressed young female artist today, in league with Hollywood's most glamorous stars.

"When I met her, I was impressed by her sincere transparent niceness. Taylor's a lovely young lady ... Smarts, manners and class ... If there's an award for being the best role model for her generation, I'd like to be the one to give it to Taylor Swift."

It's safe to say Judd's a fan, then. But as for the heart of the matter ...

"Having sung many times at the Grammys, I can tell you that the stress and anxiety of performing in front of the world's top artists in every genre of music is tortuous for even the most seasoned singer."

Anne Hathaway's family left the Catholic Church because of its intolerance of homosexuality. Anne grew up wanting to become a nun but shunned Catholicism when she learned her older brother, Michael, was gay.

"The whole family converted to Episcopalianism after my elder brother came out," she told British GQ. "Why should I support an organization that has a limited view of my beloved brother?"

But Episcopalianism didn't really take either.

"So I'm ... nothing," she said. "[Expletive] it, I'm forming. I'm a work in progress."

Some sad news from an Oscar-winning actor.

Louis Gossett Jr., who took home the golden prize in 1982 for "An Officer and a Gentleman," announced Tuesday that he's been diagnosed with the early stages of prostate cancer.

The 73-year-old claims he wants the world to know in order "to set an example for the large number of African-American men who are victims of this disease because of the comparatively low emphasis in our community on preventative examinations and early treatment," he told KTLA News in Los Angeles. "I want to influence them to seek, as I have, the fine medical care and early detection now available."

Mackenzie Carpenter's video program, "Omnivore," is available exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.