'Love Comes First': Why Barbara and Jenna Bush made a special stop in Kennebunkport

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — Who better to write a children’s book about two sisters than two sisters? And what if those two sisters happen to be twins from one of America’s former first families?

Former first daughters and twin sisters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush delighted fans with their new children's book, "Love Comes First," at the Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library on Saturday, Dec. 9. The book, which celebrates the bond between sisters, drew a long line of families and friends to the library as part of the Kennebunks' annual Christmas Prelude festivities.

Illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki, the story is a tribute to growing families that focus on two sisters who wish upon a star for another sibling. Their wish comes true – and, to boot, they also get a new baby cousin. Although their wish does not exactly play out the way they had imagined, the sisters soon learn, as the title of the book states, that love comes first.

Previous story: 'Today' host Jenna Bush Hager on Prelude: 'It's like a Hallmark Christmas movie'

This is the fourth children’s book written by the twins, who are the daughters of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. The first three titles also focused on sisterhood and families.

“This one is fun,” Jenna said. “Since we’d written the previous one, our families have changed.”

Indeed it has – Barbara gave birth to her first child, her daughter, Cora Georgia, in the fall of 2021. As a result, the cast of characters in “Love Comes First” has expanded.

Barbara called the book an “ode to love,” adding that the mantra throughout the story focuses on loving others, regardless of differences and expectations.

“That’s the beauty of family, and that’s the beauty of friendship: loving people as they are,” said Barbara.

In addition to being authors, Jenna also is the co-host of “Today with Hoda and Jenna” on NBC, and Barbara is the founder and chair of the board of the nonprofit organization Global Health Corps.

Both sisters said they were enjoying Prelude while they were in town, attending the festival’s fireworks and dressing as reindeer, alongside their cousin, who dressed as the Grinch. They said they also walked on the beach and enjoyed as much of what they love about Kennebunkport as they could.

Last year, Jenna compared Prelude, with its holiday fun and such quaint, picturesque settings as Dock Square, to a Christmas movie on the Hallmark Channel. The event gives Jenna and Barbara and other family members an opportunity to spend time in the community and at their compound at Walker's Point, off Ocean Avenue.

And, this year, the local yuletide tradition gave both sisters a chance to add their Maine home as a stop on their national book tour.

"It's so much fun to be able to travel around the country and be together and come somewhere that we love," Jenna said.

Fans eager to meet Bush twins at Graves Memorial Library

Michelle Normand, of Wells, and her two daughters, Sofia, 9, and Juliana, 6, were at the head of the line of fans eager for the twins to sign their books. Normand said she was looking forward to her daughters meeting the Bush sisters and having their books signed.

“They’ll have it with them their whole lives,” she said. “It’s very special to be able to have that sister bond.”

Sofia held a copy of “Sisters First,” one of the twins’ earlier titles, and pointed to the two girls seen flying in a hot air balloon on the cover. She said she and her sister like to pretend those soaring characters are them.

“I love reading,” Sofia said.

Joan Rivers, of Connecticut, also stood in line, holding multiple books she planned to ask the Bush sisters to sign for her four grandchildren back home.

“These four kids will be very happy,” she said.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Jenna and Barbara Bush celebrate new book in Kennebunkport Library