Tack on a new line to first lady Laura Bush’s resume: children’s book author. According to news reports, the former public school teacher and librarian is collaborating with her daughter Jenna on a picture book for kids, which is due to be released early next year.
Bush, known for her love of books told reporters that authoring the new venture is a dream come true, especially since it will be a family affair.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to partner with one of my favorite teachers, my daughter Jenna, to write a children’s book – and to have it illustrated by the wonderfully talented artist, Denise Brunkus,” the first lady said.
Parents of grade school students may be familiar with the name Denise Brunkus. She is the illustrator of the popular Junie B. Jones books.
As for Bush’s book, according to publisher HarperCollins, the story is loosely based on Jenna and Mrs. Bush’s experiences as teachers. The book features a “mischievous little boy who likes to do everything but read. With the help of his teacher, he finds out that books and their characters can be a lot of fun.”
Bush also announced she would be donating the net proceeds from the book to two education programs: Teach for America and The New Teacher Project.
This is the first lady’s first stab as a children’s book author. However, as I mentioned in a previous blog Jenna Bush has been down this road before—her first book for teens and young adults is due out this fall. “Ana’s Story,” is based on the first daughter’s time working for UNICEF and documents the life of a 17-year-old single mother who is HIV positive.
In regards to first lady’s turned authors, it seems writing books is a growing trend among the wives of U.S. presidents. Laura Bush’s mother-in-law, Barbara Bush, wife of the first President Bush, had a best-seller with “Millie’s Book,” named for the family’s dog. While former first lady, Hillary Clinton, authored best sellers, “Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets” and “It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Me.”
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