Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope [Hardcover]

Nikki Grimes (Author), Bryan Collier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Ever since Barack Obama was young, Hope has lived inside him. From the beaches of Hawaii to the streets of Chicago, from the jungles of Indonesia to the plains of Kenya, he has held on to Hope. Even as a boy, Barack knew he wasn't quite like anybody else, but through his journeys he found the ability to listen to Hope and become what he was meant to be: a bridge to bring people together.

This is the moving story of an exceptional man, as told by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Bryan Collier, both winners of the Coretta Scott King Award. Barack Obama has motivated Americans to believe with him, to believe that every one of us has the power to change ourselves and change our world.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 5—A bright child of humble background is encouraged by the adults around him to believe that he is capable of doing anything he wants to do. Sound familiar? It's called the American Dream, and the boy is Barack Obama, a biracial child who has gone on to change the course of history. This picture-book biography serves to educate children not only about Obama's journey thus far, but also to connect his circumstances to their own. In particular, children of color now know that they too have boundless potential. Grimes's imagery, however, is occasionally overblown as both Hope and God speak directly to Obama. His impressive life story needs no inflating, and the heavy imagery gets in the way of the message. Collier's vivid watercolor and collage artwork brings the varied aspects of the man's life together. From the sparkling beaches of Hawaii where he played as a child to the brown, arid village in Kenya where his father was buried, readers see Obama always reaching toward the future. Despite the overly laudatory tone, this book is an appealing addition to biography collections.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
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From Booklist

Inspirational is the word for this glowing picture-book biography, framed by the fictional story of a small African American boy who asks his loving, single-parent mom to tell him about Barack Obama. With fast free verse (“His family stretched / from Kansas to Kenya; / his mama, white as whipped cream, / his daddy, black as ink”) and big, handsome illustrations, Coretta Scott King Award winners Grimes and Collier tell the story of Obama’s life. Beginning with his childhood in Hawaii, double-page spreads show him interacting with kids from all over the world. Despite the sadness of his parents getting divorced, both inspire him to find hope in education, and he learns to confront racism (“hurt and hate and history”), and is moved to help the poor. Grimes’ stirring words and Collier’s watercolor-and-collage pictures convey the power of diversity to make a “new whole.” On each spread a small box displays the running conversation between the boy and his mother, and his final comment is: “When I grow up, I want to be the president.” Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers; Library Binding edition (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416971440
• ISBN-13: 978-1416971443
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 10.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #123,308 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #32 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Politics & Government
  • #66 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Political

More About the Author

Nikki Grimes conveyed the fire-in-the-belly fervor of a Harlem girl who knows she was born to write in Jazmin's Notebook, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. In My Man Blue, a Booklist Editor's Choice and Newsweek Children's Books of the Year selection, her artful words expressed a boy's journey from skepticism to trust. And now with Bronx Masquerade she presents a rich chorus of eighteen voices, singing openly about ideas, feelings, and questions--things that open minds, invite debate, provide release. A recent Booklist review proclaims: "As always, Grimes gives young people exactly what they're looking for--real characters who show them they are not alone."An accomplished poet, novelist, journalist, and educator, Ms. Grimes was born and raised in New York City and now lives in the Los Angeles area.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A little much, even for a fervent Obama fan, November 22, 2008

By 

T. Greer (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope (Hardcover)

I took a look at this book at my local bookstore a few days before November 4, and at that time I giggled at the very bright, technicolor pictures of the book. I also winced a little at the dangerously-close-to-hubris conceit of writing such a book before the election results were known. How could you tell a complete story about a historical figure unless you knew what the ending was? At the time, though, I thought this was a harmless book, and was still giddy (and terrified) at the thought of Election Day coming up.

Now, after the euphoria has subsided a bit, I took a second look at this book.

I didn't laugh at it much this time around. I still winced when I read it, and not in a good way.

Some good things about the book: The final pictures were practically prescient (it almost matched the Obamas' election night picture, with the Obama parents walking out with Sasha and Malia by their sides); it was interesting to see the beginning illustrations and interpretations of Obama's childhood pictures, and the rest of the book telegraphed the giddy hope of Big Expectations that many, many people felt that night.

However, I thought the asides from the mother and her child were a little distracting, a "forced" questioning innocence from the child and an almost condescending tone from the mother. Most distracting, as noted by other reviewers, was the "Lion King/Messiah/Star Wars/Chosen One" kind of vibe given to Obama throughout the narrative. This was the dangerously-close-to-conceit part of the book that made me wince. While it's good to teach children to respect the President of the United States, this book fairly jumps across the line from respect to breathless worship.

President-Elect Barack Obama is an ordinary man. A deeply talented speaker, brilliant thinker and professor (Harvard Law School, people!), and arguably the most disciplined politician I've ever seen--BUT, an ordinary man. A devoted loving husband and father, BUT an ordinary man. He's NOT "The One/Golden Child/Messiah/Moses Of The 21st Century", and it's dangerous to put him on that pedestal.

Having said all that, when I read this book as expressive poetry instead of literal historic narrative, the technicolor visual and literary flourishes were easier to take. (Though I fervently wish they picked a different picture for the front cover!) If you don't mind the hyperbole--or if you're an "Obama Otaku" (Anime fans will know what I mean)--then the in-your-face nature of the narrative in this book won't phase you at all. In fact, reading this book with any less attitude than TOTAL WORSHIP AND EUPHORIA (caps meant) will probably make you nauseous. Otherwise, if you're looking for a more sober historical book for your child, I would steer clear of this one.

36 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I am so Disappointed!, October 25, 2008

By 

Mary Jo Aman (Mequon, Wisconsin United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope (Hardcover)

I was so excited to see a picture book version of Obama's life, and knowing the work of Nikki Grimes, I ordered the title without hesitation. What I received was very disappointing. The narration was saccharine, almost to the point of being a story about someone whom I did not know. The Illustrations were also very disappointing.
I felt the book, overall, gave an unrealistic picture of a wonderful man, and was, ultimately, not suitable for young readers. I will wait for something better written and illustrated for this age group to come along.

66 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars GOD talks to Barack Obama???, September 8, 2008

By 

R. Register "Mac Snob, Audiophile" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope (Hardcover)

Even God himself talks to Barry while he's in church on Sunday, telling him: "Look around you. Now look to me. There is hope enough here to last a lifetime."

The above was taken from this children's book, Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope. Now, let me be clear about my review: The negative rating comes not from my personal political opinions. I am genuinely concerned about the way Barack Obama has been portrayed in this book.

Sure, it can be said that Barack Obama is an inspirational character. He has accomplished much in his young life, and it is understandable that he is admired by many. It's books like this one that cross the line. This book should not be characterized as Biography, but more like a work of Historical Fiction. It's loosely based in fact, but the author takes many liberties, creating an almost Messiah -like view of the Illinois Senator.

If you are a responsible parent, you should look elsewhere. If your child admires Barack Obama, look up the facts together. Don't let one person's over-the-top love for Obama indoctrinate your child.

***Update: Due to some questioning of my negative review, I felt it was appropriate to add this:

A messianic figure is a person who is viewed as having a number of the characteristics of the Messiah in the eyes of a particular group. These usually include that the person is charismatic, influential, develops a power base, is appealing to a large group that views itself as oppressed in some way, and appears to offer a way to overthrow that oppression.

Please, just go to your local bookstore and read it for yourself. You don't have to take my word on it....just thought I would share my opinion by posting a review. :)

***Yet another update: It seems only fair to mention that the Publisher and Illustrator were also responsible for the creation of this book. I regret not being able to review them, as the book was a collaborative effort. For more information, please see the comments section of this review and the Q&A. The link is available by clicking on the box "A Conversation with Nikki Grimes" below and to the right of the book image. :)