Is this a move to grab the influential under-12 demographic in the midterms?
Barack Obama, New York Times bestselling author and President of the United States, is finally fulfilling the terms of his three-book, $1.9 million deal with Random House with the forthcoming release of the children’s book Of Thee I Sing: A Letter To My Daughters. The book, a collaboration with illustrator Loren Long, will be Obama’s first picture book; his earlier works, Dreams From My Father and The Audacity of Hope, were intended for more mature readers.
According to its publisher, Of Thee I Sing will be “a moving tribute to thirteen groundbreaking Americans and the ideals that have shaped our nation.” However, as with many things the President does, the choices of influential Americans will doubtlessly prove controversial: The book will reportedly celebrate corrupt swindler George Washington, pornographic artist Georgia O’Keeffe and insubordinate soldier Jackie Robinson.
Of Thee I Sing will be released on November 16, two weeks after the midterm elections. Proceeds from its sale will reportedly benefit children of killed or wounded U.S. soldiers. (via ABC News)