Chris Tomlin makes debut as children's book author

Some fans drifted off, others giggled with glee, and a couple picked their noses.

Christian music superstar Chris Tomlin smiled through it all as he made his debut as a children's book author Tuesday night at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Cool Springs.

"Don't tell anybody, but I think I've had more fun writing this book than making my music," Tomlin told about 50 adults and 30 children.

More than 100,000 fans watched the event live on Facebook, and an additional 120,000 fans have watched video of the event since.

The book, "Good Good Father," is based on Tomlin's recently released contemporary Christian music single of the same name, written by Atlanta songwriter Pat Barrett.

The song is so popular in the Christian world that, according to Tomlin handlers, it is the third-most performed song in U.S. church services.

Tomlin and Barrett sang the song Tuesday night before the book reading, and about half the adults in the bookstore sang along.

After reading the book to children gathered on the floor in front of him, Tomlin autographed copies for fans.

Tomlin also autographed a guitar for 8-year-old Mia Bowden of Brentwood, a gift she had received from her father the day before.