American first sisters-turned-best-selling authors Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush have a new children's book called Love Comes First in the works, and they're bringing it to Houston for a special event before it's released to the public.
On Sunday, November 5, the two will appear at a special event here at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church (11612 Memorial Dr.)
Individual tickets to the event co-produced by Blue Willow Bookshop are $22 (find them here). Each ticket includes admission and a pre-signed copy of the Bush sisters' new picture book.
Importantly, there will not be a signing line at the church event.
Local fans of the Bush sisters and family may recall that the sisters were last in Houston as headliners of The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation's annual A Celebration of Reading. A 28-year Bush family tradition, the event honors the beloved first lady's commitment to fostering childhood literacy and is hosted by Neil and Maria Bush, who co-founded the organization.
Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush will also appear at an early-release celebration at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas on Saturday, November 4. The authors' book tour that also includes Texas stops in Midland, Lubbock, and Waco (November 2-4) before the Houston visit,.
Love Comes First(Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, $19.99) officially goes on sale November 7.
Its description reads: "As two sisters watch their friends’ families grow, they wish on a star for a sibling of their own… and a younger brother and a baby cousin arrive! The new family members aren’t exactly what the sisters expected, but with time and patience, the group soon becomes fabulously four – and lets their imaginations soar! Together they can be anything, and no matter what, they will always remember that love comes first."
The book is inspired by Jenna and Barbara’s own families, the publisher says, and is a companion to their No. 1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First, "a tender story about the way our hearts can always make room for more."
It features illustrations by Ramona Kaulitzki, who also illustrated Sisters First.
Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, the twin daughters of President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, grew up in Dallas, where their parents now call home. The two were frequently seen visiting their grandparents at the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, where Former President George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush called home.
Jenna is a host of NBC’s TODAYwith Hoda & Jenna and the founder of "TODAY’s Read with Jenna" book club. Barbara is cofounder of Global Health Corps, an organization that works to solve some of the world’s biggest global health challenges.
The women appear regularly as guest speakers at fundraising events, but public events together are rare.
In an Instagram post, Jenna expressed excitement about going on a book tour with her "sissy" this fall.
They'll also hit towns in New York, Mississippi, and Birmingham, and will wrap up in a place with special meaning to the Bush family — Kennebunk, Maine.