WASHINGTON - First Lady Laura Bush and daughter Jenna Hager took a lesson from their own book Saturday at the National Book Festival.
The mother and daughter coauthors were about to read their new book, "Read All About It!" -- about a boy who initially doesn't like to read books until strange visitors gain his attention -- when they realized many of the children in their audience of about 300 were too far away to see the book's pictures. Some were losing interest.
Dozens of youngsters were quickly organized and led to the front of the stage where the authors sat -- closer than the public usually gets to First Family members.
"We might be in trouble with security, but we're sure they're [the children] safe," said Hager, who took turns with her mother reading about a boy named Tyrone, who is bored with books until getting caught up in their stories.
The First Lady -- a former librarian and literacy advocate who helped bring the annual book festival to the National Mall -- told the audience the book was inspired by a former student of hers "and all those little boys who would rather do anything than listen to a story."
Hager, who also has worked as an elementary school teacher, said she was captivated by her mother's classroom stories.
After taking children's questions, the First Lady and daughter signed books for parents and children waiting in a long line. As children shyly stood by their table to get their book signed, the mother and daughter asked for their names and if they liked to read. They blew kisses to some youngsters as they rode away in their parents' arms.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
