Former President Barack Obama surprised a group of elementary school students at a branch of the Chicago Public Library in the city's Woodlawn neighborhood Monday.

The students, who ranged from kindergarten through 2nd grade, were doing a coloring activity about leadership qualities and story time when Obama surprised them at the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library.

Wearing a red Santa hat, Obama read "Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman's Dreams Took Flight" by Karyn Parsons to the students.

The students were also gifted a winter hat, gloves and a book to take home.

Obama is in town this week to check on the progress of the Obama Presidential Center , his project that's nearing the finish line after over a decade of planning and construction.

The center, that contains a

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