HC Signs Laura and Jenna Bush to Children’s Book Deal

By Dermot McEvoy -- Publishers Weekly, 8/9/2007 6:04:00 AM

HarperCollins said today that it has acquired world rights to a children’s book—as yet untitled—written by First Lady Laura Bush and her daughter Jenna.

Set in a school, the book depicts a mischievous 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. The story is loosely based on Mrs. Bush’s and Jenna’s experiences as teachers.

The text will be fully illustrated by Denise Brunkus, illustrator of the bestselling Junie B. Jones series.

The deal was negotiated by Kate Jackson, senior v-p/associate publisher, editor-in-chief of HarperCollins Children’s Books with Washington, D.C., attorney Robert B. Barnett. The book will be published in both English and Spanish in spring 2008. The authors’ net proceeds and a portion of the publisher’s proceeds will go to two national teacher programs: Teach for America and The New Teacher Project.

"We are honored to be publishing this wonderful picture book by the First Lady and Jenna Bush," said Susan Katz, president/publisher of HarperCollins Children’s Books, "and we know that their experiences as teachers will contribute in so many ways to this project. Mrs. Bush’s lifelong dedication to children and reading inspires us all, and we are delighted to be able to work with Jenna on another book."

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to partner with one of my favorite teachers, my daughter Jenna, to write a children’s book," said Mrs. Bush, "and to have it illustrated by the wonderfully talented artist, Denise Brunkus."

"My mom has been my lifelong inspiration," added Jenna Bush, "sharing her love of reading and books with Barbara and me since we were little girls. I’ve taken that passion into the classroom. I hope this book will help kids realize the importance and fun that reading can add to their daily lives."

Jenna Bush is also the author of Ana's Story, her account of a Panamanian teenage girl living with AIDS, which HarperCollins has scheduled for an October 2 laydown. Harper plans a 500,000-copy first printing.

HarperCollins also announced today that it will donate $1,000,000 worth of books for children of all ages to schools and public libraries, to coincide with the publication of the picture book.