found a better write up about the book this AM. I have to go to the library...I want to read it.
Loren Long’s Illustrations
The illustrator, Loren Long, shows his vision for the work in the philosophy of the drawings. On the left-hand page under the question that Obama poses, Long draws each of Obama’s daughters standing near another child (a representation of how the famous American might have looked when he/she was young). The group of children grows as the book progresses, for on each page he adds the representation of how the next famous American would have looked as a youngster. Additionally, in each of the drawings, the children have their back to the reader. Long thus demonstrates the vision and the promise that is offered by having their whole life ahead of them; rather than looking out from the page, they are looking into the promise of the future.
The Character Traits that Obama Highlights
Obama touches on a variety of character traits, such as creative, smart, brave, strong, and kind to tell his story. And, he chooses famous Americans from all walks of life to illustrate his point. He speaks of the accomplishments of Albert Einstein, Sitting Bull, Helen Keller, Neil Armstrong, and Cesar Chavez, to name a few. He also speaks of Jane Addams, a lesser known American who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. Obama writes of “unyielding compassion” when he talks of the actions of Martin Luther King Jr. and he explains the importance of honoring other people’s sacrifices when he writes of the accomplishments of Maya Lin who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Civil Rights Memorial.
Unity, Family, and Future
Throughout the work, Obama underscores the importance of unity, of family, and of looking toward the future. When it comes to the concept of unity and family, he speaks of Abraham Lincoln by saying “This man of the people, simple and plain, asked more of our country – that we behave as kin.” Obama also highlights unity and family by including all American children in his vision. Although the book is clearly aimed at his two children specifically, Obama never directly uses their names and the illustrator shies away from portraying their faces, thus indicating that this book is intended not just for his daughters but for all American children. Speaking as a role model and parent, Obama ends the book similarly to how he began, with a note of encouragement for the future and a celebration of his children’s lives: “Have I told you…that you are the future? And have I told you that I love you?
Availability, Appeal, and Proceeds
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters is a positive and inspirational book that can be enjoyed by children and parents alike. The 40-page book has a suggested reading level of ages 4 to 8, but the appeal of the book spans all ages and generations. And, it is important to note that all proceeds from the book will be donated to a charitable organization known as the Fisher House Foundation and will be used for a “scholarship fund for children of fallen and disabled soldiers.” The book is available at major book retailers as well as online.
Emphasis added.
What can I say Cha? So Beautiful. To our First Family! To their heart, to their values. Inspirational!
Thank you for the additional pictures.
She
http://suite101.com/article/review-of-barack-obamas-of-thee-i-sing-a-letter-to-my-daughters-a334501#ixzz2H70uKTGG
[/img][/url]
[/img][/url]
[/img][/url]
[/img][/url]
[/img][/url]
[/img][/url]
[/img][/url]
[/img][/url]
= new reply since forum marked as read
