| Title | : | Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0375935274 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780375935275 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 40 |
| Publication | : | First published November 16, 2010 |
| Awards | : | Flicker Tale Children's Book Award Non-Fiction (2012), Goodreads Choice Award Picture Book (2010) |
Breathtaking, evocative illustrations by award-winning artist Loren Long at once capture the personalities and achievements of these great Americans and the innocence and promise of childhood.
This beautiful book celebrates the characteristics that unite all Americans, from our nation’s founders to generations to come. It is about the potential within each of us to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths. It is a treasure to cherish with your family forever.
From the Hardcover edition.
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters Reviews
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This was so good it almost made me cry. Barack is talking to his children telling them how much potential they have and relating it to influential people in history like MLK and Einstein and Lincoln and Washington. I love the art work in this book and it is so inspiring. It has lifted me up.
The kids liked it too only not as much as me. They gave it for stars. It is readable and engaging. It has soul in it.
I have to say how much I miss this man. I miss the world feeling like it had potential. I miss the safety and security I felt and the fact that every day was not full of chaos and manipulation. I miss the feeling that country was a light to the world and I am sad it feels like this is the end of our country. I don't know what will happen, but he might be our last great president. Hopefully some day, they will give him a monument in DC. He inspired millions.
I enjoyed this book. It was like a security blanket. It was warm and filled with light. -
My students were very excited to read a book that President Obama wrote. This book had a really interesting and different take on educating about a lot of famous, strong individuals that made huge differences in our life.
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I took interest in this book after seeing a headline from Fox "News" that said: Obama Praises Indian Chief Who Killed U.S. General. Since Fox is truthful and "fair and balanced" (they couldn't say that about themselves if it weren't true, could they?), I realized that all the books I had read about Native American history must be all wrong. So, Custer was not a Lieutenant Colonel like all the history books say, he was really a General; Sitting Bull didn't stay in camp during the Battle of Little Big Horn like all the history books say, he was really right there in the thick of it, and he personally dealt the mortal blow to Custer; and the death of Custer wasn't the result of native people defending their lives, liberty, culture, traditions, and families from invading forces who meant to take all of that away from them (again, as all the history books imply), instead, those ruthless Indians purposely went out of their way to kill poor innocent whites (who were just minding their own business). I am so indebted to Fox for opening my eyes about this chapter in U.S. history.
Okay, I'm done with the sarcasm. I read this book at a Borders bookstore. It was short, the majority of each page consisted of illustrations that were well-done and pleasing. Each two-page spread is dedicated to someone in U.S. history who has demonstrated some noble attribute in his/her life. The words and the pictures are meant to inspire young children, and well they should. -
Beautiful and very touching.
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Full disclosure: I admire
Barack Obama and am particularly smitten with him as a father, with his family. I think that he has a lovely family and that he and Michelle are marvelous parents, and the girls seem like truly nice people.
The concept of this book is that Obama is writing a letter to his daughters about how he feels love for them and his hopes for them, all the time educating them about people who have made a difference.
It might be thanks to the illustrator,
Loren Long, that this book is ingenious in its execution.
For every attribute Obama mentions (creative, smart, brave, a healer, have your own song, being strong, honoring others’ sacrifices, being kind, not giving up, an explorer, are inspiring, are part of a family, are proud to be an American) he tells a little about various people in history who exemplify those things. The people he introduces are Georgia O’Keeffe, Albert Einstein, 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. (At the back of the book, there is a short biographical paragraph on each of them.)
But what’s brilliant about this, aside from introducing some inspiring people, is that the illustrations show Obama’s two girls and then each of the famous people as children. As each person’s contributions are discussed, they appear with Obama’s daughters on the next page. So, the two girls are joined by more and more people, until there are many children going forward together, as each one joins the group. I found it inspiring, especially since the focus is on the diversity of people that make the country great. It’s children who are shown here, even if the accomplishments being talked about weren’t brought to fruition until their adulthoods.
Some pictures of Bo, their dog, make it into the book, and I can never resist a cute dog.
I am far from a raving patriot, and I often don’t like “patriotic” books, but I am fond of this book. I appreciate that the people featured made contributions in all sorts of different ways, and I admire most of them, so that probably influenced how I feel about this book. For some readers this book will be an unappealing celebrity book or too didactic or political, but I enjoyed it.
The illustrations are great, showing the featured people as kids and having them come from all sort of backgrounds making all sorts of contributions will help make history come alive even for kids not normally interested in the subject. There is something here to interest almost everyone. -
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters
Read this at the library a couple of months ago, this short book is at once a series of history lessons and a lovely letter from this very well known author to his daughters.
The book includes bios of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Jackie Robinson, Billie Holiday, Cesar Chavez, Helen Keller, among others.
A charming short book that can teach little children how one person can inspired millions and change the world for the better.
I recommend it for elementary teachers and those with small children (the book is recommended for children as young a 6 years old).
There's also an audiobook version, which I would had purchased had Obama narrated it, but they had someone else do it.
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This isn't a collection of what Barrack Obama wanted to tell his daughters but rather a storybook filled with numerous great men and women who do not know much about of.
These great personalities include Georgia O'Keefe for her more than lifelike art; Albert Einstein (we all know him, Ok☺️); Jackie Robinson a baseball player; Sitting Bull a Sioux medicine man; Billie Holiday who sang blues; Helen Keller (yas, we know her too🙂); Maya Lin who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; Jane Addams who fed the poor; Martin Luther King Jr. and some more various personalities who made history. I loved the lifelike eye-popping illustrations!
I just read this small book from cover to cover. I don't think I blinked my eyes enough. Now they are blurred ☺️ -
"براي تو مي خوانم"
كتابي كه باراك اوباما براي دخترانش و درواقع براي همه كودكان آمريكا نوشته و بزرگان كشور خودش از انيشتن تا لوتركينگ و جرج واشينگتن و .. رو معرفي كرده. زماني كه براي آيلتس مي خوندم، بهترين مرجع من براي يادگيري، سخنراني هاي اوباما بود و واقعا هم به نوعي او با ما بود. انساني جالب و متفاوت به عنوان رييس جمهور .
كتاب قشنگيه و حس خوبي داشت، گفتم اينجا معرفي كنم.
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?
Seemingly, BARACK OBAMA, the forty-fourth president of the US, has been one of the most distinctive figure as a president in the history. while Studying English, I used to learn it through his speeches. He is really different, at least as a president.
Which president on earth can write a book so sweet and informative for children?
Thee I sing is a series of letters to his daughters and all the children. In each letter, he pays a tribute to a towering figures in the history of Unites States with which under a title, commemorates them and encourage children to see their traits, like braveness, benevolence, strength, patriotism and ... through themselves. Adding it, along each story comes a beautiful illustration.
Have I told you that you have your own song?
A woman named Billie Holiday wore a gardenia in her hair
and sang beautiful blues to the world.
Her voice, full of sadness and joy,
made people feel deeply and add their melodies to the chorus.
Have I told you that America is made up of people of every kind?
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?
Have I told you how important it is to honor others’ sacrifices?
Have I told you that you are kind?
.... -
“Have I told you that you are a healer..Have I told you that I love you?”
Very sweet; a look at different people that the President admires throughout history🖤 -
I loved this book! It is a letter written by Barack Obama to his little girls. On each page, he begins "Do you know you are _____?" He fills in the blank with a characteristic, such as brave, strong, etc. He then talks about a famous American that also embodies this trait. It is educational, but also very sweet and heartwarming. It definitely could be used to boost children's self esteem and self confidence. This book also pertains to various social studies topics due to the use of the famous Americans, and I love that it is written by our current president!
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Sometimes less is more. And that's the case here. This simple little book has a powerful message for children and for us all. Very inspirational. It only takes a few minutes to read. The illustrations are beautiful.
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I tried to approach this book as simply a picture book, ignoring the "celebrity author" and Presidential status of its author. I figured that would be the fairest approach, trying not to prejudge for better or for worse. And, I ended up really enjoying it! A few phrases got a bit overly poetical or did not flow or match as perfectly as they could, but most were pitch-perfect and very touching. I really appreciate the sentiments about how children can learn from those outstanding individuals who went before them and how there are so many individual traits that make a strong American--and member of the human race. The illustrations are fabulous! I love how one page shows the child-versions of the great Americans, standing beside Obama's own daughters, and how the children begin to swap the "tools of their trade" with one another, sharing their gifts and showing that we can all try new things.
I feel I should point out that this book generated some controversy with the inclusion of Sitting Bull as one of the famous figures to look up to. This controversy comes from both sides as some consider the inclusion of a Native American who killed a US General to be anti-American (
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/11/16/fox...) whereas Sitting Bull's great-grandson is upset that Obama misquoted his great-grandfather and further feels that Sitting Bull should not be included in a book about famous Americans in this way, "my great grandfather was never American. He was Lakota." (
http://americanindiansinchildrenslite...) Some controversy also surrounds the fact that the illustration of Sitting Bull gives him the only non-human form in the book (his face is made up of mountains, trees, etc.). Personally, I am not sure I would have found anything to incite my feelings one way or the other when I read that particular segment of the book--taken in the context of the rest of the story, I think Obama was probably just trying to include a wide variety of people for children to look up to--it's blatantly obvious he is trying to be multicultural given the figures he has chosen for the book. However, I can certainly understand the perspective of Sitting Bull's grandson and do think that when the President of the United States publishes a book during his time in office, he or one of his secretaries or editors, ought to have done more thorough research to ensure that he did not offend the Lakota people.
Also, the blurbs about Abraham Lincoln were quite typical with the whole "freeing the slaves" bit and not really going into the full story regarding his Emancipation Proclamation, etc.
Still, all in all, I think this is a very worthwhile book to share with young people--its heart seems to be in the right place and I very much enjoyed its inspirational message, poetic style and gorgeous illustrations. Hopefully it will interest children in looking deeper into the famous persons represented here and they will gain a more thorough understanding of each person in that regard. -
This book is something special. I saw it on the rack at B&N and sat down to take a quick look. But as soon as I began reading, I knew it wasn't going to be just a quick look through.
President Obama writes the book as if it were a letter to his daughters. The story or letter, as it were is lovingly written and the illustrations beautiful.
Obama begins each page with
"Have I told you . . ."
Telling his girls how wonderful, strong, and kind they are. Subsequently highlighting a historic figure from American history that emulates these characterisics. From Jackie Robinson to Abe Lincoln, I smiled and shook my head with pride as I read about each and every figure. My favorite part is at the end, after 13 strong historic figures are highlighted, he writes.. .
"And have I told you that they are part of you.
and You one of them."
Beautiful I tell you just beautiful. It gave me such delight to read this book to my little sisters.---and to be honest to read it all on my own, many times. It warmed me to the chore. A well written book indeed. -
I'm not an Obama fan. (I'm exactly whatever is the opposite of 'fan' when it comes to him.) I've seen this book in Wal-Mart for quite some time now and rolled my eyes each time. I assumed I'd know exactly what was inside. In short, a cheesy, for the media book written "for" his daughters. I expected to hate it. I expected to make fun of it. I expected that I'd never, ever, ever read it to my daughter.
But it's good. And it's not just 'good'. It's 'really good'. It's almost five stars good to be exact. I'm still blown away and I read this while walking around Wal-Mart yesterday afternoon.
I wouldn't buy this. Unless the money went 100% to charity I wouldn't put a penny in that man's pocket. But I will check it out from the library in order to read it it Julia. I do believe it's a fantastic book for children.
I liked the diversity. There aren't just black people, there aren't just white people. There are all sorts of people who did all sorts of different things. I'll admit that this is the opposite of what I expected.
All in all this is a beautiful book. And after writing this I decided that it's deserving of more than four stars. I'm going to put five stars on here but it's just slightly less IMO. So, 4.5.
This book just may be the best thing that man has ever done. -
A survey of inspirational historical figures seems a little too pat, safe, and bland for a man who challenged us to dream big. Nice art at least.
Gotta say, though, while I'm sitting in my house because I've been sent from my library jobs (with pay for now, thankfully) due to the coronavirus crisis, I surely wish Obama or a man like him were at the helm of the nation right now. -
I love this book! There are so many ways a teacher can use this book. I would most likely use this book in a history lesson because of the great historical references made of many inspiring historical Americans. The illustrations are beautiful. You could have your students research the people mentioned in the book as well as President Obama. In the back of the book there are a few facts about the different people mentioned in the book that have help build our country to be what it is today. This would be a good resource for students to start their research!
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I wonder who thought the idea of this book up? It reads like a spin-doctor's idea of a way to 'unite America' and mention loads of historically important people making sure that the selection is racially diverse. I liked the illustrations and the book was beautifully produced but the prose didn't move me at all. Maybe if I'd been an American I would have felt differently, but I'm not, I'm a West Indian and that means I'm support Obama but have no US party allegiance at all.
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To check out my reviews:
https://dancinginth3dark.wordpress.co...
When I originally read this children's book, I wanted to make this an extravagant post about the former President during this chaotic transition of power and how I will deeply miss him and how he brought honor and respect to the role of President even though a good percentage of the country wanted to see him burn at the stake or worst. But as time has gone by and the laziness that has kicked in because of school I've decided to simply stick to the book and not the author.
I was disappointed with this children's book for the simple fact that it is misleading and does not feel like the author actually wrote it or rather gave the idea but did not execute it well. Of Thee I Sing is a book that Barack Obama wrote in dedication to his daughters and teaching them about women empowerment and how these countless icons have helped paved the way for women especially women of color and how the roadblocks that were presented in their life did not stop them from pursuing their true potential as human beings.
Obviously I am an adult so I knew plenty of details of the women that the author illustrated for this book but if I were a kid I still would not have a clue about half of these women and why are they so significant in the 21st century. I could be completely wrong but I did not feel the passion of how this book was put together and I do believe it is important for kids to read it because there is tons of individuals from all walks of life who has changed the world in one shape or form and do not get the recognition because people want to erase them from history or they do not want these individuals planting the necessary seeds in our subconscious to let us know that we can accomplish anything if we set our minds to it regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.
I wish I could have given it 5 stars especially since I miss Barack Obama and despise how our current leader has brought nothing but disrespect to the Oval, to its constituents, and our country across the globe. I try to stay away from being political on Goodreads because I believe this site is the ideal place where we can share ideas and not judge those who may have contrasting ideas so I will end my review here for now. -
Of Thee I Sing is a moving letter Barack Obama writes to his daughters. Though intended for children, the message is universal. The illustrations are gorgeous and the theme relevant. For every trait that the former president attributes to his daughters, there is a notable person that best represents that trait. The simple format of the book highlights the powerful message: our individual traits are stronger working together rather than apart. A memorable book. Fun fact, Obama is the first sitting president to publish a children´s book and the third president to publish one at all.
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Have I told you that you are creative? Have I told you that you are smart? Have I told you that you are brave? Have I told you that you are a healer?
In this letter to his daughters, Obama highlights individuals who have shaped and inspired us. Billie Holiday, Georgia O'Keefe, and Helen Keller to name a few.
The love he has for his daughters, and the hope he has for future generations is as clear as ever. I miss him. -
"Have I told you that you are a healer?"
In this picture book, Obama introduces different Americans to his daughters (including Sitting Bull, MLK Jr., & Jane Adams), while reaffirming their beauty and self-worth. It's much more a collection of brief biographies than a book about the relationship between a father and his daughters. -
This short book is available in both physical (picture book) format, illustrated by
Loren Long and as an audiobook, narrated by
Andre Braugher. I "read" the book via the latter means.
Former US President
Barack Obama, in his characteristically eloquent style, delivers a poignant letter addressed to his daughters, Malia and Sasha. He reflects on the positive qualities he sees in them and relates these qualities to the lives and achievements of thirteen inspiring Americans: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Neil Armstrong, Sitting Bull, Cesar Chavez, Billie Holiday, Maya Lin, Albert Einstein, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jackie Robinson, Helen Keller, and Jane Addams.
Obama reportedly finished the manuscript for the book in 2008, following his election to the presidency but prior to his inauguration. His prose is thus aimed at a young audience, who may just be becoming familiar with the names and stories of individuals who have achieved excellence and contributed a remarkable legacy. Yet Obama's words will resonate with readers of all ages, reminding us of the personal qualities we should aspire to and the incredible differences one person can make to the world in which they live.
While it would have been wonderful to have listened to a version narrated by the author himself, I found that
Andre Braugher has a delivery remarkably similar in cadence and depth (at least to my untrained Australian ear!) to that of the former president.
Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters was an unqualified joy to listen to, and inspired me, as a parent of a 12-year-old, to do more to introduce and discuss more contemporary heroes with my own daughter. -
A beautiful, touching book written by a great man.
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The Story: This is exactly my kind of book. It provokes meaningful discussions between parents and children, teachers and students. Who was Jackie Robinson? Why was he important to history? Who is Maya Lin? What was the significance of the Civil War? the Vietnam War? The pivotal conversations that this book evokes are innumerable.
The Artwork: I had the privilege of listening to Loren Long [insert link to his site:
http://www.lorenlong.com/] present at the scbwi 2010 Summer Conference. I was awed by his creative genius, and this book takes my admiration of his talent to a whole new level. He depicts many layers of nuance and conveys so much meaning through the extraordinary illustrations in this book. I was especially moved by his portrayal of Sitting Bull.
The Passion: The love, respect, and admiration the author feels for his daughter is so palpable in this book that I cried as I read it to my own daughters. It is also clear how the author defines strong character and what he values most about our country by not only the heros he chooses to admire but also through his evocative word choices.
The Message: The underlying message is that all of these groundbreakers were once children, just like the readers, and they hatched the ideals that shaped our great nation. The take away message to children is that they can make a difference. Dream, and then make it so.
My Only Issues: My only suggestions for improvement are: (1) I wish the book was more environmentally-friendly, that is, printed on recycled paper and without a dust jacket; and (2) I wish that the author had reframed the question about being smart. Had he read Dr. Carol Dweck’s Mindset: The Psychology of Success [
http://bit.ly/b78OaN], I’m sure he would have praised the amount of effort his children exude vs. how “smart” they are.
The Conclusion: Buy [
http://amzn.com/037583527X] or borrow this book and read it to the little pickles in your life. I will be giving it as a gift for a long time to come, and I imagine that you may do the same. -
What a great inspirational book for children!
Yes, you can be anything you set your mind to!
Loved the illustrations! -
Featured in a grandma reads session.
You can do anything! Affirmations aplenty here, offered by our 44th President, a letter to his young daughters and every other young person inclined to hear his message. Which is: you are surrounded by wonder and people who dared to wonder and dream, reason and determine how they could move toward their wonder, and did. The sweet twist that got me was that each of the subjects approach as a youth the larger depiction of them in their full blown prime which brought to all of us as we read this book that everyone - no matter their fame or celebrity - came to their life as a child, just as every other human has. No magic to it. A baby, a toddler, a grade schooler, a teen. . . we all move through the halls of time in equal measures.
A lovely read, affirming, and full of hope and love. -
Positive, uplifting and inspiring book.
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4 stars for the prose, 4.5 for the artwork
This is a very sweet and well written book (some examples are rather questionable though) and I love that the author wrote it for his daughters. 🌞💖 -
A beautiful tribute, by a father to his daughters, and by a man to his country. I loved it.
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I am naturally leery of celebrity-authored books. Especially celebrity-authored picture books. So it's taken me a while to get to this one, but I am so very pleased with it. It's beautiful, really, in both the words and the illustrations. Mr. President has a way with words (like that's a surprise):
Have I told you lately how wonderful you are?
How the sound of your feet
running from afar
brings dancing rhythnms to my day?
How you laugh
and sunshine spills into the room?
What child would not want to hear those words from his father?
I appreciate the inclusion of uncommon heroes for our children: Jane Addams, Billie Holiday, Maya Lin.
I appreciate the fact that Obama didn't feel the need to force this into a rhyming book.
I appreciate Loren Long's delicate acrylics, and the way they embody the spirit of each hero.
I appreciate the dedication: "To Michelle--whose fierce love and daily good sense have nourished such wonderful daughters. --B.O." I can't imagine a more wonderful tribute to a woman from the father of her children.
This is a must-have for elementary libraries, not so much for the relevance of the author in our children's lives, but for the historical and encouraging social content.
