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Laura Bush Meets 'Furry Red Monster'
Elmo, the wildly popular Sesame Street character, introduced Laura Bush on Saturday as "one of his favorite people," after a White House breakfast honoring National Book Festival authors.
The first lady began her speech with a playful exchange with the furry, red puppet about a book written by Elmo puppeteer, Kevin Clash. She teased Elmo that he just might be able to get a signed copy during Saturday's daylong event on the National Mall.
"I think you ought to meet the author," she said.
Bush said she was happy with the festival's success, in what is now its sixth year. The event, modeled after a book festival she began as first lady of Texas, will include more than 70 authors this year. "No matter what your political perspective, everybody shares one thing, and that's a love for reading and books," she said.
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Librarian of Congress James Billington thanked the first lady for her role as "the continuing inspiration" and "mother superior" of the book festival.
Out of character, Kevin Clash spoke about his book, "My Life as a Furry Red Monster," detailing his experiences as the man behind Elmo. Novelist and forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs talked about her series of mysteries, upon which the television show, "Bones," was based.
Washington Wizards player Brendan Haywood and Detroit Shock player Ruth Riley also spoke and represented the National Basketball Association and Women's National Basketball Association which are contributors to the festival.
© 2006 Associated Press.
Editor's note:
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics: Inside Cover Stories
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