Of Thee I Sing

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters is a children's book written by Barack Obama and illustrated by Loren Long. The book presents stories of thirteen influential Americans who shaped the nation's history and values. Each featured American represents specific qualities and achievements, from George Washington's leadership to Maya Lin's artistic vision. The narrative connects these historical figures to characteristics that children can recognize and aspire to develop. The book functions as both a celebration of American history and a personal message from a father to his daughters. The proceeds from sales support scholarships for children of disabled and fallen U.S. service members, extending the book's impact beyond its pages. At its core, the book explores themes of potential, diversity, and the American spirit through accessible storytelling for young readers. The combination of presidential perspective and parental wisdom creates a unique entry point for children to engage with historical figures and civic values.

Readers appreciate the book's message of celebrating diverse American heroes and encouraging children to see their own potential. Parents note it works well as a read-aloud book for ages 4-10. Positives from reviews: - Beautiful illustrations by Loren Long - Makes complex historical figures accessible to children - Connects traits like creativity and strength to both historical figures and children - Functions as both a history lesson and inspiration Criticism from reviews: - Some found the writing style overly simple - A few readers felt it was too politically focused - Several mentioned it reads more like a list than a story Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (3,400+ ratings) Common reader comment: "The book helps children understand they can embody the same qualities as American heroes." Multiple reviewers noted using it in classrooms led to good discussions about historical figures and character traits.

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🔹 The book was published in 2010, while Obama was still serving as President, making him the first sitting president to publish a children's book 🔹 Illustrator Loren Long previously created artwork for Madonna's children's book "Mr. Peabody's Apples" and has illustrated the classic "The Little Engine That Could" 🔹 The 13 Americans featured include Georgia O'Keeffe, Albert Einstein, Jackie Robinson, and Sitting Bull, representing diverse fields from art to science to sports 🔹 The book was dedicated to Obama's daughters Malia and Sasha, but also includes the line "and all of America's children" 🔹 The scholarship fund supported by the book's proceeds is the Fisher House Foundation's "Scholarships for Military Children" program, which has provided over $11 million in scholarships since 2001