Arts & Entertainment

Reese Witherspoon Reads Book To Kids At West Orange Elementary School

The famous actor thrilled some lucky West Orange students with a reading of her children's book, "Busy Betty and the Circus Surprise."

Students at an elementary school in West Orange recently got a surprise “virtual visit” from well-known actor and author, Reese Witherspoon.
Students at an elementary school in West Orange recently got a surprise “virtual visit” from well-known actor and author, Reese Witherspoon. (Photo courtesy of Cynthia Cumming/West Orange Public Schools)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Students at an elementary school in West Orange recently got a surprise “virtual visit” from well-known actor and author, Reese Witherspoon.

According to the West Orange Public School District, Witherspoon thrilled some lucky students at Washington Elementary School with a reading of her children's book, “Busy Betty and the Circus Surprise.”

The second installation in the Busy Betty series, the book finds the youngster planning a surprise party for her mom with a circus theme. Unfortunately, Betty discovers her mother's birthday is next month. How she deals with the situation forms the core of the story. The book is illustrated by Xindi Yan and is available on Amazon here.

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Witherspoon – a confessed bibliophile and avid reader – named Betty after her own mother. The character is not unlike Witherspoon as a child, who has said she was energetic and full of ideas and questions.

Reading specialist Wendi Guiliano said she might have been more excited than the students when the famed actor appeared at Washington Elementary School.

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“Fun was had by all, and it was an amazing experience,” Guiliano said.

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