First lady Jill Biden will publish children's book about White House cat
First lady Jill Biden will publish a new children’s book in June that follows the first family’s pet cat, Willow, on her journey moving to Washington, D.C., as she explores the various rooms in the White House and meets the people that keep daily operations running smoothly.
The picture book, “Willow the White House Cat,” is co-written with author Alyssa Satin Capucilli and illustrated by artist Kate Berube. It will be published by Paula Wiseman Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
“As Willow bounds from room to room, exploring history in her new home, she learns quickly about all of the incredible people who make the ‘People’s House’ run,” the first lady said in a Tuesday press release announcing the book’s forthcoming publication.
“They welcomed Willow with love and care, just as they did Joe and me, the First Families who came before us, and all of the people who step foot into this home. Making many new friends along the way, Willow’s journey gives the world a ‘cats-eye’ view of all the ins and outs of America’s most famous address,” Biden continued.
The Bidens adopted Willow, an American tabby domestic short-haired cat, from a farmer, Rick Telesz, in Lawrence County, Pa., according to the publisher’s announcement. The first lady was widely reported to be the driving force behind the decision to adopt Willow, who was named for the first lady’s hometown of Willow Grove, Pa.
“Willow made quite an impression on Dr. Biden in 2020 when she jumped up on the stage and interrupted her remarks during a campaign stop,” a spokesperson for the first lady said in 2022. “Seeing their immediate bond, the owner of the farm knew that Willow belonged with Dr. Biden.”
Biden is notably the only first lady to hold another job while serving as first lady. She teaches English as a community college professor, and she has written previous children’s books, including, “Where the Light Enters,” “Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops,” and “Joey: The Story of Joe Biden.”