Mingle with writers and Bush family

Area residents have the chance to mingle with award-winning and bestselling authors during A Celebration of Reading, an April 21 fundraiser benefiting the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation and the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy.

The fundraiser is in its 22nd year. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Meacham, New York Times bestselling authors Brad Meltzer and Kelly Corrigan, and award-winning author and broadcaster Scott Simon will attend the event along with former first lady Barbara Bush and other members of the Bush family, which is hosting the event at The Hobby Center at 6:30 p.m.

A special VIP Reception takes place before the program at 5 p.m., during which ticket holders will get to mingle with the Bushes and authors.

During the program, authors will “bring their best-selling books to life, and notable entertainers will perform,” according to a news release.

Individual tickets start at $100. To order tickets, visit www.bushhoustonliteracy.org. Tickets include a light dinner. Guests also will receive a book written by one of the authors.

Phillips 66 is the title sponsor for A Celebration of Reading. It is the company’s second consecutive year to serve as the program’s title sponsor.

The Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s works to promote literacy among Houstonians.

The Foundation advocates for literacy as a fundamental right of everyone and a foundational skill toward success in life, according to the organization founded by Neil and Maria Bush.

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, established in 1989, supports family literacy programs that allow parents and children across the country to learn together.

The foundation has invested more than $50 million across all 50 states.

For more information, visit www.barbarabush.org.