Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager Writing Children's Picture Book Benefiting National Parks

Posted on October 30, 2015

Former First Lady Laura Bush announced today that she is writing a children's book with her daughter, Jenna Hager Bush. The book will be called Our Great Big Backyard. Mrs. Bush said that the book will help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the National Park Foundation.

This is the second children's book that the mother daughter team have written together. The new picture book tells the story of Jane, a young girl who goes on a road trip with her family to see the national parks. At first Jane is more interested in looking at her computer screen than looking at the beauties of nature. But over the course of her travels she learns to really see what's around her.

Mrs. Bush said in a statement, "I've hiked with childhood friends in the parks for years. Jenna accompanied me on a float trip through the Grand Canyon and rode a horse for the first time when she was 3 near the Big Bend National Park. I want all children to go outside, play in nature, and explore America’s magnificent sites with their families."

Mrs. Bush and Jenna co-wrote their first book in 2008 called Read All About It!. Jenna is a journalist and a mother of two daughters: her adorable two year old Mila and her two month old Poppy are stars of her Instagram account. Mrs. Bush and First Lady Michelle Obama are the honorary co-chairwomen for the National Park Service centennial celebration which takes place in 2016.

Update: Here is the cover art for Our Great Big Backyard. It features illustrations by Jacqueline Rogers. The book is available for purchase from Amazon.com.