Former President Barack Obama surprised a group of schoolchildren at a Chicago library during his visit to his hometown.
On Tuesday (Dec 9), President Obama made a stop at the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library in Woodlawn during his Chicago visit to tour the nearly finished Obama Presidential Center.
At the Public Library, Obama read a book about aviation pioneer Bessie Coleman, noted as the first Black woman to earn her pilot’s license.
Nearly thirty schoolchildren from Burke Elementary School between kindergarten and second grade, were doing a story time and coloring activity at the library when Obama arrived in a red Santa hat.
The students, including the president, shouted “Barack Obama” as the former president entered. When he asked if the students liked to read, several raised their hands, per The Chicago Tribune.
Obama’s visit included reading to the students, handing out winter hats and gloves, and posing for pictures. Each student received a copy of the book he read, according to a pool report from the event.
“Everybody seems to be working hard,” Obama said, according to the pool report. “I thought we were gonna have a little Christmas party, and everybody’s doing their homework. What’s happening?”
The event also offered the community a preview of what to expect when a new public library branch opens at the Obama Presidential Center next year. The state-of-the-art building, which has been underconstruction since 2021, is set to open in June.
Later in his visit, the former president asked the children what they would like to be when they grow up. They responded with varied answers, including doctor, veterinarian, firefighter, dancer and even president.
“You’ve got a long way to go, but I think you could be a president … it’s possible,” Obama responded, according to the pool report.