First Lady’s Event Will Aid Victims

WASHINGTON — First Lady Laura Bush hopes to send 5 million books to schools and libraries in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with the help of donations at her book festival today.

“No doubt many books were destroyed by the rain and floodwaters,” she said at a gala Friday night for donors to the $1.5-million festival.

“Family Bibles, scrapbooks, children’s books that were cherished by parents and children alike,” she said.

The fifth annual National Book Festival, which Bush organized with the Library of Congress, will include readings and book signings by nearly 80 American authors.

Authors Tom Wolfe, Linda Sue Park, David McCullough and Sue Monk Kidd spoke at Friday’s gala and read excerpts from their books.

Wolfe praised Bush’s support of American literature. He then delivered a racy reading about libidinous cats from his latest novel, “I Am Charlotte Simmons,” drawing a smattering of laughter from the crowd.

Jill Brett, director of communications for the Library of Congress, said Wolfe had not chosen to clear his remarks with organizers, as other authors had done.