Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush's unwavering sisterhood fuels their literary collaborations, celebrating the transformative power of female relationships.
- September 26, 2024
AceShowbiz - Growing up in Texas and living in the White House, twin sisters Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush have shared an unbreakable bond. This connection has not only shaped their lives but has also inspired their literary endeavors.
On Wednesday, September 25, the "Today with Hoda & Jenna" co-host, 42, spoke to PEOPLE about her special relationship with her sibling while at the Creator Book Club with Jenna Bush Hager and Coco Mellors hosted by Threads event at McNally Jackson Books Rockefeller Center in New York.
Moderating a discussion with Mellors for Mellors' new novel, Blue Sisters, Jenna shares why the book was so inspiring to her as a sister and a reader. She shared, “I mean, I think one of the themes that I'm always drawn towards in literature, really in life, is sisterhood."
She continued, "Because having a twin really has informed every decision I've ever made. I don't think I'd have this job. I don't know [that] I would've started this book club. She makes me feel brave and empowered, because she was my first audience. She was the first hand I held. And so I always felt supported, even when we were teens, and we threw shoes at each other's head."
Their 2017 memoir, "Sisters First," and its accompanying picture book, explored the unique and enduring power of having a biological sister. Now, they have expanded their definition of sisterhood in their second picture book, "The Superpower Sisterhood."
"The Superpower Sisterhood" introduces Emma, a solitary child whose life is transformed by the arrival of two pairs of sisters with distinct talents. Together, they discover that their combined abilities make them a "superpower sisterhood," using their skills to improve their neighborhood.
Jenna explains that this book was inspired by their mother, Laura Bush, who grew up as an only child. Laura's friends provided her with the same sense of strength and belonging that Jenna and Barbara found in each other.
The book illustrates that sisterhood can come in various forms, including friendships and alliances that expand beyond blood relationships. Its message of embracing individual strengths and collaborating for a common goal resonates with children and adults alike.
In the creation of "The Superpower Sisterhood," Jenna and Barbara worked collaboratively, brainstorming ideas over the phone during the pandemic. They drafted and revised the story, building upon each other's contributions.
The book's themes of community and empowerment reflect their experiences during the pandemic, when people yearned for connection. Their literary journey continues with plans for future books that reflect the interests and developmental stages of their children.
Jenna and Barbara have always been avid readers, sharing book recommendations and discussing literature throughout their lives. This shared passion for reading has fueled their writing collaborations and has inspired them to create stories that celebrate the transformative power of female relationships.