Cloudy skies and drizzle added to the fear, and books were plentiful like candy at a Halloween party hosted by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden at the White House.
The books were not only distributed, but also read. The readers were the First Lady, the White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, the Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, and the authors themselves.
The first lady said she dressed as her cat Willow, with her costume including cat ears, a tail and a black nose.
“Have fun and eat some candy,” Jill Biden said after reading the Ten Spooky Pumpkins counting book.
Jean-Pierre was wearing a costume with a halo and angel wings and said he preferred it to the devil costume.
Once the reading was completed, the President and First Lady spent approximately an hour and a half greeting local school children and military families who had been invited to the event.
Children in costumes approached the president and Biden handed them candy in small boxes with the presidential seal. The First Lady distributed books.
A military band played an instrumental version of Michael Jackson’s Thriller and other songs.
About 8,000 guests were expected at the celebration, the White House said.
Numerous federal departments participated in the event.
Some of them organized stands with all kinds of chocolates and other sweets provided by the National Association of Confectioners and its affiliated companies.
Publishers also provided books.
