Jill Biden Gets in Costume — as the First Cat! — to Welcome Trick-or-Treaters to White House with Joe Biden

While the president didn't wear a costume, Dr. Biden dressed as the couple's beloved cat, Willow

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden got into the Halloween spirit as they welcomed a group of lucky children to the White House for trick-or-treating on Monday.

While the president didn't wear a costume, Dr. Biden dressed as the couple's pet, Willow the cat, with a gray dress, cat ears, a nose and whiskers, and a tail.

Related: A Photo History of White House Halloweens Through the Years

Ahead of distributing treats, Dr. Biden read from the children's book Ten Spooky Pumpkins on the South Lawn. The reading kept with the evening's theme of Hallo-READ!, which the first lady chose as a means of highlighting famous literary tales and characters, ghost stories, and what the White House described as "the spooktacular thrill of reading."

Following story time, the president and first lady welcomed local public school students and military-connected children for trick-or-treating, where they received both candy and books at the White House doors.

Related: First Lady Jill Biden Unveils New White House Art Display Featuring the Works of Military Children (Exclusive)

According to the White House, some 8,000 guests participated in this year’s Halloween festivities, with each family receiving chocolate and candy treats provided by the National Confectioners Association along with donated books from Scholastic. Children also received recipe cards to learn how to make Halloween-themed treats.

Decorations included scenes from classic books such as Alice in Wonderland along with some more personal nods, including an oversized illustration of first dog Commander and first cat Willow.

In addition to literary-themed decor, a number of costumed characters from books were on hand at the event, including Clifford the Big Red Dog and Greg Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid.

A teacher for more than three decades, including years spent as a reading specialist, Dr. Biden has spent much of her husband's time in office focusing on education.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.