Celebration of reading

More than 1,600 gathered at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts for the 25th annual A Celebration of Reading. This year’s “Silver Fox” event raised more than $2.2 million to advance literacy, a cause former First Lady Barbara Bush championed for 30 years. Barbara and George H. W. Bush’s living room was recreated on stage – their actual furniture and accessories were set with a backdrop of their living room wall. Proceeds supported the work of the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy. Authors Susan Page, Dr. David Eagleman, James Patterson and Gary Sinise discussed their award-winning books. The audience also heard from Bush granddaughter Ellie LeBlond Sosa, who discussed her book about the love story of her grandparents. Gene Moore and Ashley T. Davis performed a duet, and the Singing Cadets of Texas A&M, led by David Kipp, joined the artists on stage. Guests brought home an illustration of George and Barbara Bush in front of the White House that says, “Celebrate reading.” The image came from a children’s book by Chris Helene Bridge titled Ganny Says.

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