First Lady to Write Book on Children

Simon & Schuster will publish a book this fall by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, about children and the lessons they teach us, the publisher announced Friday.

Tentatively titled “It Takes a Village and Other Lessons Children Teach,” the book draws on Clinton’s experiences as a daughter, mother, public servant and longtime child advocate.

The book “will reflect on the needs of children and the possibilities they suggest for rekindling a better quality of family and community life in today’s fast-paced, fragmented world,” said Carolyn Reidy, president and publisher of the company’s trade division.

“Children are at the root of many of the important issues we’re debating today, and Mrs. Clinton seemed to us to be the ideal person to speak for and about them,” said Rebecca Saletan, who will edit the book.

The First Lady, who will be assisted by Barbara Feinman, a Washington-based writer who teaches journalism at Georgetown University, will receive no advance for the book.

Simon & Schuster is paying all expenses, Reidy said, and once those expenses are recouped the company will pay any additional author royalties and earnings to charity. Simon & Schuster has also agreed to donate an unspecified portion of its profits from the book to charity.