Washington D.C. (Special to ZennieReport.com) – For The White House Hallo-Read Event held Monday, First Lady Jill Biden came out to the reading nook on the South Lawn at 5:05 pm dressed as Willow the cat. She’s wearing a gray dress, cat ears and a tail. She had makeup on for a cat face – a blackened nose with whiskers. She reads “Ten Spooky Pumpkins.”
After First Lady Jill Biden (FLOTUS) finished reading, she said: “Wasn’t that a great book. I love that book. Are you all having a great time?” FLOTUS points to the decorations in the fountain and said they were her favorite part. She ended with “So go have fun and eat lots of candy.”
First Lady Jill Biden exited at 5:09 pm with a wave.
White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre Reads “First Broom”
Ahead of First Lady Jill Biden, White House Spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre came out – wearing white angel wings and a halo. She read “First Broom.”
Karine Jean-Pierre: “I had a choice – either be an angle or a devil. I picked an angel.” She stayed after her reading to greet people and hug the kids.
Education Secretary Cardoza read after KJP. He read “The Spooky Wheels on the Bus.” He sang the words to the tune of “Wheels on the Bus.”
The weather has turned from the sunny morning to a cool, windy, overcast afternoon. The sky is cloudy and gray (some may call it spooky). It started to rain as FLOTUS came out to read.
The nook is decorated with pumpkins and gourds, hay bales, and yellow and orange mums. A giant cardboard cutout in the shape of an open book makes up the backdrop. It reads: Hallo-READ at the White House 2023
The book reading nook is down by the fountain. The fountain has fake bubbles in it to resemble a witch’s caldron.
The South Lawn is all decked out. A large full moon with a witch flying in front of it hangs on the Truman Balcony.
The South Portico has a cardboard cutout of a stack of books with cardboard cutouts of Willow and Commander. Lots of pumpkins and corn stalks decorating the lawn. The Marine Band is playing spooky songs.
The theme is books. Various Cabinet agencies – State, Treasury, VA – have booths set up along the drive way and staff handing out candy. The education department is handing out smarties. The Secret Service have one of their cruisers for kids to sit in.
Lots and lots of parents and dressed up kids. Pool spotted Spider-Man, Tiggers, baby shark, princesses, t-Rex’s, and various animals. And many many more.
Cookies in shape of carrots and round ones with a monster face are being passed out. Warm apple cider is being passed around.
A giant Clifford is posing for pics with kids.
Here is background from the East Wing of The White House:
White House Press Background for First Lady Jill Biden Event
The First Lady will participate in a reading at the spooky story time corner, where she’ll read “10 Spooky Pumpkins.” The spooky story time corner will also feature author Brad Meltzer and illustrator Chris Eliopoulos, author Jeff Kinney, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and other special guests.
WHITE HOUSE HALLO-READ PRESS RELEASE – October 30, 2023
The President and First Lady Welcome Trick-or-Treaters to the White House for “Hallo-READ!”
The First Lady’s theme, “Hallo-READ!,” highlights famous literary tales and characters, ghost stories, and the spooktacular thrill of reading
On Monday, October 30th, the President and First Lady are hosting a Halloween event that will welcome local public school students and military-connected children to the White House for trick-or-treating. A teacher for more than three decades, including years spent as a reading specialist, First Lady Jill Biden created this year’s theme, “Hallo-READ!,” with the White House’s festive décor featuring famous literary characters, ghoulish tales, and ghost story time. Dr. Biden’s theme encourages families and children to grab a flashlight, pick out their favorite Halloween book, and relish in the spooktacular thrill of reading together.
Children will trick-or-treat along the South Lawn of the White House up to the South Portico to receive both candy and books from the President and First Lady, as well as other White House friends and neighbors, including representatives from: the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Department of State, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Treasury, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Energy, Department of Housing and Urban Development, FEMA, NASA, National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, United States Secret Service, White House staff, and the White House Military Office. Children will also get to participate in spooky story time with special guests reading their favorite books of the season.
Approximately 8,000 guests will participate in this year’s Halloween event at the White House, with each family receiving chocolate and candy treats provided by the National Confectioners Association and its member companies. In a nod to this year’s “Hallo-READ!” theme, each family will also receive donated books from Scholastic to read and enjoy. Instacart is providing overall support for the Halloween celebration, in addition to supplying Halloween tote bags and treats to each child. In the spirit of hands-on learning, the company will also distribute recipe cards to teach children and their families how to make deliciously spooky, easy Halloween-themed treats together. Costumed characters will stroll the South Lawn for the Halloween festivities, including Clifford the Big Red Dog, Greg Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, as well as Disney friends Doc McStuffins, Vampirina, and Darth Vader and the Stormtroopers.
The White House will be decorated with autumnal foliage, stacks of books, and multi-dimensional displays of ghoulish literary characters and tales. A spooky story time corner will also be a part of the Halloween festivities this year, featuring author Brad Meltzer and illustrator Chris Eliopoulos, author Jeff Kinney, Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, and other special guests.
Based on White House Press List submission by:
Emily Goodin
Senior U.S. Political Reporter