Former NBA star Dennis Rodman writes book for kids

Former NBA player Dennis Rodman gives a news conference to announce his tour and charity work in Panama City, Tuesday, July, 31, 2012. (AP / Arnulfo Franco)

NEW YORK -- Dennis Rodman, one of basketball's most outrageous personalities, has written a book for children.

The Hall of Famer's book, "Dennis The Wild Bull," came out Wednesday and fans will immediately recognize Rodman's influence. The large red bull on the cover has flowing red hair, two nose rings, a tattoo and red stubble under his chin.

Rodman says the book teaches kids that it's OK to be different and that they will be accepted, as he was by teammates in Detroit in Chicago while winning five championships.

And Rodman, whose previous works include titles such as "Bad as I Wanna Be" and "I Should Be Dead by Now," laughs at the notion of himself as a children's author, saying that "to write a children's book with all the wild things I do and make it believable was pretty much incredible."