Laura Bush, librarian, mother and wife of the current US President George W Bush, has named 'Amazing Grace' by British author Mary Hoffman as one of her must read children's books.

America's First Lady praised the book during a goodwill visit to Moscow. She described the book as 'a story about how you can be whatever you want to be'.

'Amazing Grace' is a about a young British black girl who overcomes prejudice against her colour and gender to gain the leading role as Peter Pan in a play at her school. It was one of five books recommended by Mrs Bush as she opened a children's book festival in Moscow.

This is an amazing irony as it was Mary Hoffman, along with her daughter Rhiannon Lassiter, who edited the children's anti-war anthology 'Lines in the Sand' which was produced by Frances Lincoln in response to the war on Iraq.

Illustrated by Caroline Binch and first published by Frances Lincoln in 1991, it was one of the first picture books to feature a portrait of a black child on the cover. It has become a hugely successful title in both Britain and in the US.

The English language version of 'Amazing Grace' has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

This month, 'Amazing Grace' is part of the Black History Month exhibition at London's Swiss Cottage Library.

Camden Council Black History Month
An exhibition of Images from contemporary children's literature

4 October ­ 1 November

Swiss Cottage Central Library Gallery
88 Avenue Road
London
NW3 3HA

Opening hours:
Tue-Wed and Fri 10am-6pm
Sat 10am-5pm
Mon and Thu 10am-7pm

Free admission