Fall event to feature Bush sisters

May 10—[email protected]

MIDLAND The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health and the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin will co-sponsor and evening with Jenna and Barbara Bush, daughters of Laura and President George W. Bush.

The evening is scheduled for Nov. 2.

"They'll be promoting their newest book that's coming out this fall and it's called Love Comes First. It's a children's book and it's beautifully done; beautifully illustrated," said Connie Tyne, executive director of the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women's Health.

"They'll be sharing stories about the loves in their life, and certainly they're excited to start their book tour here in Texas, in Midland, because of all the great memories and friends and people ...," Tyne said.

They will be traveling all over the state.

Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush have penned books together previously. They wrote Sisters First for adults and then as a children's book.

"It's darling, beautifully illustrated. This is actually their second children's book, although Jenna and Laura Bush did a book called My Great Big Backyard, which was a children's book about national parks because Laura Bush has a special interest in national parks," Tyne said.

She added that they are excited when they have a new one and go on a book tour. It is expected to be published in November.

Tyne said the Bush twins have an interest in literacy just like their mother and grandmother.

"I think they all read a lot of books together growing up. Their mother wrote a book. Hers was called Spoken from the Heart. ... It kind of runs in the family," she added.

John Trischitti III, executive director of the Literacy Coalition of the Permian Basin, said there is a connection between women's health and literacy.

Trischitti said you see the effects in terms of higher rates of emergency room use, or the ability to read prescriptions.

"That kind of health literacy is foundational with the skill of literacy to begin with and so that's why we're excited about the collaboration beyond the Laura Bush tie for both our organizations. We know that literacy is the key to health in general, but particularly to women's health ... Two-thirds of the low literate worldwide are women and children so it disproportionately affects women," Trischitti said.

Tyne said they are going to buy a lot of books and those who attend the event will get books.

Trischitti will buy a lot of books to distribute to schools and to others throughout the area.

No matter what your age, a good children's book is a treat.

"A well-written children's book touches the heart of the reader, whether it's the mother, grandmother, grandpa, brother, older sibling. ... It's a blessing to the little people who get to hear the good lessons," Tyne said.

"These books are beautifully illustrated; very colorful and happy and have a really great message," she added.

Trischitti said the books will be distributing the books to school libraries, public libraries and all the coalition's social service partners.

They will also be distributed through the POWER Bag initiative so it will be another item that goes home with new moms.

The coalition is just starting the Laura Bush Ladies for Literacy.

"Mrs. Bush was excited that her name was going on a new organization here in Midland ...," Tyne said.

Trischitti said they are excited about the collaboration.

"We're just excited about the collaboration. I think that it's great for both organizations given our reach in Midland-Odessa and the Permian Basin ...," he added.

Tyne said the funds raised will be distributed in the community.