I've always liked walking; that's one of my favorite things to do, and I try to walk every day. [In Washington, D.C.] I can't walk outside, but we have the treadmill. And I walked eight miles at the ranch last weekend. Now I also lift weights, which is also great for bone strength. [Mrs. Bush mimes a biceps curl and laughs.] I'm very, very strong, actually.

The power of a book lies in its power to turn a solitary act into a shared vision. As long as we have books, we are not alone.

I was the same way after graduating with a degree in education. I started to teach and I was wondering: do I really know how to teach?

There are a lot of women that I think are very powerful and would be great presidents.

When I taught school, we just had the school cafeteria; we didn't have machines or things for children to buy food from. But parents can try to educate their children about choices. A lot of everything we're talking about that has to do with heart disease has to do with the choices that we make.

I was so fortunate. My parents lived lives of service. They helped other people, that was their second nature; it came to them so naturally. It wasn't forced. This is their character, and it's a big advantage I have, being raised by people like this, having a secure and stable life, and a lot of love and encouragement.

Children who are read to learn two things: First, that reading is worthwhile, and second, that they are worthwhile.