Dear President Obama: Letters of Hope from Children Across America [Paperback]

Bruce Kluger (Author), David Tabatsky (Author), Linda Ellerbee (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 2009

On November 5th, 2008, journalists Bruce Kluger and David Tabatsky had a simple idea: to recapture the exhilarating spirit of the 2008 election from the perspective of our nation's children. They emailed a handful of friends. Those friends forwarded the email to their friends and relatives. In the end, the same infectious enthusiasm that fueled the Obama campaign itself produced the 200 letters and drawings collected here. From every region of the country, from ages four to 18, these kids talk about their hopes, fears, and dreams, and their unchecked excitement about the historic election that took place during their young lives. Kluger and Tabatsky also collaborated with the young contributors to create the vibrant visuals that accompany their remarkable letters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Beckham Publications Group; 1st edition (March 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 098238761X
• ISBN-13: 978-0982387610
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #786,535 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

BRUCE KLUGER is a writer, columnist and commentator whose work appears regularly in newspapers and magazines across the country, as well as on the Internet. A member of the Board of Contributors of USA Today, Bruce also frequently writes about fatherhood for Parenting magazine, and is a regular contributor to National Public Radio's All Things Considered, The Los Angeles Times, Psychology Today, Time Out New York and the Huffington Post.

Formerly an editor of Playboy magazine and a DVD reviewer for Us Weekly, Bruce has written about current events, family and the popular culture for, among others, The New York Times, The New York Post, The New York Daily News, The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun-Times, The Baltimore Sun, The Boston Globe, Newsweek, Time.com, HuffingtonPost.com, Salon.com, Alternet.org, ForbesTraveler.com, Arrive (the Amtrak magazine), Time Out New York, Time Out New York Kids, NickJr.com and the Sesame Street Workshop. He is the co-author, with David Tabatsky, of "Dear President Obama: Letters of Hope from Children Across America" (Beckham Publications Group, Inc., 2009). Additionally, Bruce co-edited and/or contributed to the books "The Right Words at the Right Time" and "The Right Words at the Right Time, Vol. 2: Your Turn!" (Atria Books, 2002 and 2006) and "Thanks & Giving: All Year Long" (Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, 2004), all by Marlo Thomas. (The CD version of the latter book, for which Bruce served as Associate Producer, won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children.)

Since 2001, Bruce has also been writing satire with David Slavin. Their work is regularly featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and in The Los Angeles Times; in dozens of syndicated newspapers around the country; and on countless sites on the Internet, notably The Huffington Post. Their books include "Young Dick Cheney: Great American" (AlterNet Books, 2008) and "'Twas the Night Before Christmas: 21st Century Edition" (Andrews McMeel, 2010).

Formerly an actor, Bruce appeared in the films "The Burning," "The Chosen," "Diner and "Playing For Keeps," and on the TV show "Diff'rent Strokes." Television enthusiasts might also remember Bruce from his three-year assignment as an on- air correspondent for the E! Channel's "The Gossip Show."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Out of the Mouths of Babes, April 21, 2009

By 

Paul Gilbert - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dear President Obama: Letters of Hope from Children Across America (Paperback)

What was one of the most powerful motivations for people across America to vote for Barack Obama for President? Wasn't it because our children's futures were at stake, more so than ever before? Obama symbolized change and he revitalized what had become our increasingly diminished sense of hope (that's what eight years of George Bush will get you).

As with many things, some of the world's greatest insights and wisdom come from children, whose vision isn't clouded by all the judgements and baggage we adults bring to any given subject, especially politics. Kids just see things on a whole different level and can cut right to the chase on a subject, but they do it with sweetness, generosity and an innate sense of optimism.

I've purchased copies of Dear President Obama for my kids, nieces and nephews, but it's a book for parents, too. The letters are touching, funny and profound and the children's wishes, requests and advice should be required reading for our new President and all of us who still believe in the concept of hope.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Read It, You Will Hope, April 22, 2009

By 

A Skeptic "Joe" (Chi-town) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear President Obama: Letters of Hope from Children Across America (Paperback)

It would be easy to damn this book with faint praise as being essentially for and about kids and their relationship to the historic election of President Obama. That would be a serious misstep, though, because beyond the power of the words these letters embody, is the perhaps unintended but no less palpable benefit to more adult readers who get to experience their own hope and wonder anew through the unalloyed perspective of these child authors. Reading these missives somehow liberates that part of our adult self that has been bridled and bound by doctrine, public opinion, and just the basic fear we have of daring to express our own unvarnished joy and hope, if only for an instant.

In terms of whether you should read this book, it really is that rare paradox--a smart no-brainer with soul to burn.

5.0 out of 5 stars Review from www.firrkids.com, August 7, 2009

By 

www.firrkids.com - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dear President Obama: Letters of Hope from Children Across America (Paperback)

Picking up this book is akin to being able to look directly into the minds of children and teens across the country, which is a pretty amazing thing. Some of the letters are touching, some are funny and some are downright sad. Nearly all of them are fascinating and there is no way of predicting what thoughts will be revealed with the turn of each page.

Almost as interesting as the book itself is the way the project came to life. On the day following Obama's win, Bruce Kluger and David Tabasky simply emailed their friends, asking what their children would say to our newest President, given the chance. Their inquiry spread by email from friend to friend (as forwards tend to do), until the duo had received nearly one thousand responses. Their little project had snowballed into a major one!

Ultimately, 179 of the very best entries were chosen for inclusion in the final product. The authors were careful to represent a range of ages from nearly every region of the country. The result is a very real and wonderful sampling of the concerns and ideas of American children. We read letters from teens who are worried about the state of our economy as well as random thoughts that occupy the minds of younger children.

Four year old Madeline tells Obama that she "would like a real chihuahua and the sick people not to get sick." Hunter, age eight, would like to see a law "that you must eat the meat if you hunt and kill it." Eleven year old Claire requests help for "me and my mom, who is now single, to keep money in our pocket to buy food." Patrick, age 12, state "We have to work together to solve these problems. You need to count on us kids to help because we are the future." Kids are the future, which is exactly why this book is so riveting.

This is a fabulous project, both informative and entertaining. Each submission is interesting in its own right. The children selected their own presentation, which means they have an individual style. There are all types of fonts, paper styles and colors - some are typed, while others are written in cursive or printed . In addition to the letters, there is plenty of artwork, ranging from a gorgeous realistic portrait of Obama to some less realistic (but no less enjoyable) stick figures.

Check out [...]f to flip through the book and get a taste for its style. A clever idea paired with enthusiastic participants and great presentation makes this an incredibly neat read for adults and children alike. It's rare to be able to get such different perspectives on a singular event. The book is a humorous and inspiring read and will become a wonderful piece of history!