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First Lady Melania Trump Picks Book With Cincinnati Ties For Annual Christmas Event

Melania Trump
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
First lady Melania Trump, accompanied by author Todd Zimmermann, left, Tearrianna Cooke-Starkey, second from left, and Nathan Simm right, reads "Oliver the Ornament" to children at Children's National Health System, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, in Washington.

For the second year in a row U.S. first lady Melania Trump will read a book with ties to Cincinnati during her annual holiday visit with patients at Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C.Trump has selected "Oliver the Ornament Meets Belle" by Todd Zimmermann, who came up with the idea for the book series while visiting his in-laws in Cincinnati.

This is also the first time since the tradition of first ladies reading books at the children's hospital began that a second book by the same author has been chosen, according to the author's publicist. Former first lady Bess Truman was the first to visit children in the hospital and read to them.

Trump's visit is scheduled for 12 noon EST on Friday, Dec. 6. It will be live-streamed on C-SPAN.

Zimmermann's series based on an ornament named Oliver is about overcoming bullying, which dovetails well with Trump's Be Best campaign.

"There are a lot of options for her to choose from, so it's an incredible honor for Mrs. Trump to continue with the 'Oliver the Ornament' storyline," says Zimmerman in a release. "I'm beyond thrilled that the first book's message resonated with her. We all face obstacles that can keep us from being kind all the time, and it's an easy thing to set aside. I appreciate the opportunity to share the message that we all just need to keep trying to be kind."

Zimmermann is also donating 700 books to the hospital and the Toys For Tots campaign.

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.