of Thee I Sing 

Written as a letter to his daughter’s, Malia and Sasha, the forty-forth president of the United States Barack Obama’s new book, of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters is a wonderful way to introduce children to a few of the great individuals who have helped shape our country.  With a target audience of 4 - 8 year old children, President Obama’s book is a tribute to thirteen Americans who have made a significant difference in the formation and life of our country and the world.

The book begins as the president asks his daughters if he has told them what they mean to him.  He asks…

“Have I told you lately how wonderful you are?  How the sound of your feet running from afar brings dancing rhythms to my day?  How you laugh and sunshine spills into the room?”

In the book, which is beautifully illustrated by Loren Long, the president begins each two page segment by asking a question.  First he asks, “Have I told you that you are creative?”  and then goes on to share with them about the great artist Georgia O’Keeffe and her painting style.  Next, he asks his daughters, “Have I told you that you are smart?” and then shares with them of the genius who was Albert Einstein and how his work changed “the world with energy and light.”  In all, Obama shares in a brief story about thirteen Americans, O’Keefe and Einstein, plus Jackie Robinson; Sitting Bull; Billie Holiday; Helen Keller; Maya Lin; Jane Addams; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Neil Armstrong; Cesar Chavez; Abraham Lincoln; and George Washington.  While each individual is featured on a short two page illustrated section,  at the end of the book there is a summary page that gives more detail about each individual’s life and work.

Quite obviously, the book touches on a diverse group of famous Americans and how their lives changed our country.  As the book nears its conclusion, the author asks, “Have I told you that America is made up of people of every kind?”  In a wonderful work of art Loren Long has a two page illustration showing a large group of children of various ethnicities, races, interests, hobbies, styles of dress - but apparently, and importantly, all Americans.  Our country is certainly a melting pot and in that melting pot there have been so many different people who have contributed to the great country that we have.

On the last page of the story Obama writes…

“Have I told you that they are all a part of you?  Have I told you that you are one of them, and that you are the future?  And have I told you that I love you?

On the fly leaf of the book’s dust jacket, the publisher’s state very well a great summary for the book, writing…

“This beautiful book is about the potential within each of us to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths.  It celebrates the characteristics that unite all Americans, from our nation’s founders to the generations to come.  It is a treasure to cherish with your family forever.”

In my opinion, this is a classic children’s book.  I hope it will be read in children’s classrooms across the country and that parents will buy it to share with their kids.  My son enjoyed it.  The illustrations are wonderful and the story is genuinely inspiring.

On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 5 being great) columbiabookseller gives this children’s book a 5.

of Thee I Sing : A Letter to My Daughters  by Barack Obama

Alfred A. Knopf Publishers  2010

ISBN #978-0-375-83527-8

“All quotes directly from the book.”

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