Barbara Bush reads to Maine kids on 86th birthday

[June 09, 2011]  PORTLAND, Maine (AP) -- Former first lady Barbara Bush has celebrated her 86th birthday by reading to young patients at The Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at the Maine Medical Center.

With her two dogs sitting at her feet Wednesday, Bush read "Learning to Ski With Mr. Magee" to 20 sick children gathered along with their families.

Afterward, Bush was presented with a lilac tree decorated with cards created by the children. She said it would be planted at the family's summer home in Maine.

Bush, a longtime promoter of family literacy, and former President George H.W. Bush spend summers at their seaside home in Kennebunkport, 35 miles south of Portland.

[Associated Press]

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