Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters

The accompanying artwork and story were beautiful.

Barack Obama's "song" is an inspirational and captivating letter-poem-history-story that appeals equally to all ages and at many levels. First, the letter is every parent's wish for every son and daughter--motivational, visionary, empowering. Second, it's a prayer of thanksgiving, reminding each reader through words and pictures of the qualities that equate, first, to the uniqueness of the individual and, second, to the strength of the community.The text begins with the speaker asking if he's told his daughters how "wonderful" they are, before illustrating the point verbally with references to specific and concrete sensory experiences like the sound of little feet running and children laughing.Then come the profiles of exemplary figures of the past, each accompanied by an allusion to their wonderful gift and a beguiling illustration by artist Loren Long. The first is artist Georgia O'Keefe, whose special talent was to be able to "see" exactly what is in the field of vision of us all; the last is jazz vocalist Billie Holiday, who sang the songs that resonated with all who heard them and who continue to sing them.The narrative form moves from the particular--the President's two daughters--to outstanding individuals who changed history to the community made possible by the contributions of these special people and, finally, reaches closure by coming back to the daughters and the future that is theirs to anticipate and create.The message is, basically, they are us, and we are them. The community can be only as empowering as we allow it to be, and we, in turn, can enjoy freedom and opportunity only to the degree that our collective strengths foster them. But the individual stories and pictures are guaranteed to capture the reader's attention well ahead of any "message."I've seen my fair share of children's books, but none has struck me as representing as great a value as this one. Add to the story and illustrations the very size of the pages and quality of the paper, and you have a virtually priceless book if not essential investment. No "child"--regardless of size, gender or age--should be without it. It may not provoke the instant excitement or afford the immediate gratification of a Little Pets toy, but it will repay the giver and recipient alike for many years to come.[Warning! I have a Kindle but would strongly advise any reader against ordering the Kindle version. This is a book that simply must be seen, felt, and lifted to be appreciated. In fact, its very constitution is as effective an argument against electronic texts as I've seen.]

I love this book for my daughter on many levels. It is written as a heartfelt letter of praise, love and inspiration from President Obama to his daughters, but as you read it to your own child, you are conveying these same messages to your own child. You are recognizing beauty that your child possesses now, and at the same time, you are opening his or her mind up to the possibilities the future holds. While it is touching and sweet in this way, it also functions as an introduction of your child to significant figures in American history. It familiarizes your child with the names, faces and deeds of these iconic Americans, while at the same time inspiring them to think of how they will make their own contributions to society.The illustrations are very well done, full of vibrant color and artistically rendered likenesses. My daughter is only 2-1/2, and even she was able to appreciate it on her own level. She particularly liked the last page with all the different faces of children. It is a book that will grow with her, because it can be appreciated on such different levels. I enjoyed reading the words to her outlining all the special qualities she, like other precious children, posses. It is a book of diversity, hope, and a reminder of the greatness of our country, at a time when we are in need of such reminders.

Before I begin my review I would like to remind folks that this book was written before Mr. Obama became president, and the proceeds of the book are to be donated to an education fund for children of disabled or fallen soldiers.Because I collect children's books I bought this book for my own library. I believe the text is outstanding and will help children learn about some of our country's heroes, past and PRESENT: In recent days, for instance, one of the women described in the book, Maya Lin, was a guest at the White House State Dinner for the Chinese president. Ms Lin, of course, was the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.The descriptions of the thirteen Americans included in the book could serve as pre-readings for children to build upon as they get older and begin to read biographies and view documentaries and other films of these and similar individuals. Their skills, persistence and dedication to others and to this country are models for emulation by our children. That may have been one purpose of this book.The illustrations by the award-winning artist, Loren Long, exude energy -- even on the printed page. One can almost hear the lilting voices of children as they march through the pages of history depicted in this book. In my opinion selecting Loren Long for the illustrations was a wise choice.

First, the illustrations are worth the price of the book and then some. The device of adding another child to the page with each passing "hero" is extremely well done. Also, although one immediately recognizes Malia and Sasha as the two principle characters, one never really sees their faces, thus they - and President Obama - meld into a sort of "everyman/everychild" which will make it very meaningful for children of a certain age.Obama also includes the 13 most diverse portraits of Americans I've ever seen in any children's book and certainly far more diverse than I've seen in any book on U.S. history. Georgia O'Keefe, Jackie Robinson, Albert Einstein, Hellen Keller, MLKing Jr. and - this was the biggest surprise - Chief Sitting Bull. The brief, child-oriented comments on these men and women are accessible to small children too young to read, enjoyable for those learning to read, and intriguing for older children already proficient in reading.Plus, by reading this to your own children, it becomes a letter from parent to child. It is also beautifully bound (I have the hardcover edition) and will be a real keepsake for my own children.

Je l’ai surtout acheter en VO pour maPetite fille qui est très forte en anglais. J’ai adoré

Liked the simple, endearing and effective language. Purchased for my granddaughter.

Livro com figuras lindas e frases incriveis!

Very nice book. Bought two to give to two grandsons and my niece.

Molto bello.