Dear President Obama features some wonderful work from 179 talented American children ranging from ages 4 to 17. The book is an anthology of drawings and letters from the generation that will be able to say they have a childhood memory of the 44th President of the United States.
In an age where racism is still prevalent, hearing hopeful words from young people who are not yet of voting age, but are old enough to be aware of society’s problems, letters like the following excerpt has special poignancy:
“I was happy to see that someone who looks like me can be President of The United States of America,” writes Casey Mack, 14, of Connecticut. “The kids at school have been saying some mean things about people who look like us. But now I believe we can change their negative points of view.”
Charming Content and Sage Advice
The illustrations are also done by children; ranging from the dynamic and colourful impressions from elementary school children, to more deliberate, mature portraits by high school students that would be worthy of a college-level portfolio. Like its Chicken Soup for The Soul predecessors, this anthology ranges from mature observation to inadvertent humour from naïve – but practical – advice. “Talk carefully on the radio,” warns Ashley Wu, age 7. “And don’t talk too fast because you’re going to mess up if you do.”
The similarity between the above mentioned chain of feel-good coffee table books and Dear President Obama is not a coincidence. Among the trio who conceptualized this work is co-author David Tabatsky of Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Cancer Book.
Book Intended to be a Time Capsule, Not an Agent of Change
If readers are looking forward to a book that challenges citizens by presenting concrete ideas towards making hoped-for changes occur, or a book that is meant as an instrument of change for policy makers, they will be disappointed. Compilers and editors Bruce Kluger and David Tabatsky intended this as a time capsule of sorts, which recaptures “the exhilarating spirit of the 2008 presidential race from the perspective of [the United States’] youngest citizens.”
This brand of light, sweet reading may not be for everyone, but there is tremendous heart behind this mouths-of-babes approach. He or she would be a cold, heartless soul who could not be moved by the sincerity found in each hand-written, carefully chosen word or joyful illustration. Dear President Obama contains the honesty of children, and the weight of their concerns ranging from the environment to racism deserves a better vehicle than this aimless, exploitative, yet well-meant treacle. Future generations spoke intelligently about their concerns, and it was heartening to read that these youngsters had some interest regarding their future as active participants, not as spectators. However, in those same youngsters will not be paid for their work via honorarium nor a free copy of the book, according to Kluger in an emailed question on July 30, 2009.
It would have been nice to see the contributors remunerated in some way, rather than just receiving a discount on the finished product. While there’s the hope that these young artists may see their president take notice of their work, it is difficult to avoid the sense that those same children – whose words are put into print for commercial sale purposes – are getting the short end of the stick in this project, however non-profit the book might be.
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