Jenna Bush Hager reading ‘Love Comes First’.Photo:S. Savenok/Getty Images for Little Yellow Libraries
S. Savenok/Getty Images for Little Yellow Libraries
Jenna Bush Hageris sharing her new book with little readers.
On Wednesday, the children’s book author, 41, teamed up with iconic jewelry brand,Kendra Scottfor a special event atP.S. 108K The Sal Abbracciamento Schoolin Brooklyn, New York, to unveil its first Little Yellow Library.
“I was a teacher and saw firsthand in my classrooms how important early literacy is, whether that’s kids having access to books in classrooms or at home,” she tells PEOPLE. “The statistics around kids' ability to learn to read is so directly tied to early literacy. I was so impressed with everything that Kendra Scott and her foundation was doing and I wanted to be a part of it.”
The opportunity to shareLove Comes Firstis extra special for Bush Hager, who is about to embark on a book tour introducing the new title to readers across the country.
“I’m so excited about it. I wrote it with my sister. This is our third children’s book. First, we wrote a book calledSisters First, which was very much based on our sisterhood and how we always felt we had a partner who made us feel brave and empowered.”
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Jenna Bush Hager reading to kids at P.S. 108K in Brooklyn.S. Savenok/Getty Images for Little Yellow Libraries
“While we were on that book tour, so many people said to us, ‘I don’t have a blood sister, but I have a group of friends that are like sisters to me.’ And so we wroteSuperpower Sisterhood, which is about found sisterhood,” she explains.
Bush Hager says she’s also hopeful the book will help kids realize “how our hearts are always open for infinite love.”
“Kids can make friends, can pull up chairs at tables, can make sure that people feel they aren’t alone or not seen or not listened to. Others can be brought it and so I think it’s about family, but also the fact that kids have hearts that are open for love.”
Jenna Bush Hager’s son Hal with Barbara Piece Bush’s daughter Cora.Jenna Bush Hager/Instagram
At home, the mom of three is having a blast exploring different books with herthree little readers—Hal, 4,Poppy, 8, andMila, 10.
“Shefinished the wholeHarry Potterseries, so she’s kind of done with fantasy and wizards for now and is really more into grounded fiction. I actually just went to the library with her and helped her pick out a lot more like that.”
Last but not least is Hal, who enjoys reading books with Mom. “He plays this really fun game, because he knows I love the books that are basically about how much a mom loves their child, the sweet ones that are more for parents than they are for kids. So he’s always like, ‘Guess what we’re gonna read tonight, Mommy?’ And then he’ll pick and it sort of depends on his mood, if he wants to terrorize me or not,” she laughs.
“Sometimes he’s like, ‘We’re gonna readOn the Night You Were Born,Mommy!’ and then sometimes he’ll sort of dangle it over me and then say, ‘Not tonight, Mommy!’ which is hilarious and it works every time.”
Bush Hager cherishes getting into “typical little dude” things with Hal as he’s getting older, explaining, “We’d never had little boy energy in our house but he loves trucks, so he loves all theLittle Blue Truckbooks. He lovesCars, Trucks and Things That Go,all of those books.”
Jenna Bush Hager with husband Henry and their three kids.Jenna Bush/instagram
Jenna Bush/instagram
“I read it to both Mila and Poppy, and it’s just so beautiful. I recommend that every parent read that book to their children because it’s about the seasons changing, about friendship, about life and death. It’s so poetic and kind of heartbreaking and one I’m glad we’ve carried on.”
“It’s just so amazing to me howThe Very Hungry CaterpillarandGood Night, Moonhold up,” she notes. “They’re classics for a reason. Kids are obsessed with them.”
Aside from sharing books, Bush Hager also loves sharing the spirit of giving back with her family.
“I think it’s important to show it. We’ve realized that it wasn’t like my parents taught us, ‘Now we’re going to give back.’ They modeled it for us,” Bush Hager shares. “My dad worked with Habitat for Humanity on the weekends. It was something we witnessed them do as an integrated part of their lives, not an appendix to what else they do. It’s part of how they live, and so I think Henry and I try to do the same.”
She continues, “We also definitely try to find ways to do things as a family throughout the year where our kids can be part of it and see it as a lifestyle rather than a lesson.”
source: people.com
