Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
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 par…
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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.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Wonderful history lesson for kids and adults alike. Greaat insight into the life of our first black president.
Before I get into this review, let me say that books of this kind are nothing unusual. In the 1800s, schoolchildren read texts that glorified George Washington and Abraham Lincoln (the cherry tree, walking miles to return a book, etc.) as a means of inspiring patriotism and as examples of positive initiative for them to follow. In my own childhood in the late 1960s and early 1970s, I read similar texts on Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy, as well as many others. In that respect, this book is no different. I’m sure that at the time, British loyalists, Confederate sympathizers, and those who disliked King and Kennedy had the same complaints about those books in their day.
Overall, taking this book as it is, it’s clear intention is to use Obama’s story written on a children’s level to inspire them in the same fashion as the above mentioned books. We have the well known tales of Obama’s confusion of his identity, the absence of his father, and the example his mother and grandparents set for him, and most everyone by now knows the rest. The presentation of young Obama’s goal of uniting the various sectors of American society comes off as more admirable than worshipful to me.
Granted, those who are not inclined toward Obama’s politics will not want this for their children (just as today’s Democratic parents would be disinclined toward the current children’s book on John McCain). But consider this book with an open mind and take it for what it is-a child’s biography of Barack Obama-not a brainwashing guide for the future Obama nation.
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hooray for Propaganda!!
I was in the bookstore and I saw this book. I just have to write a review. As I was flipping through the pages of this book, I realized: how far has the fad that is Barack Obama…
5.0 out of 5 stars
The President of the United States: Barack Obama
BARACK OBAMA: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes and Illustrated by Bryan Collier accomplishes everything it sets out to do for young readers.
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.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Barach Obama; Son of Promise, Child of Hope
I purchased this book for my kindergarten class. They really enjoyed listening to the story, talking abnut it, and pick it up to read and look at the pictures independently.
1.0 out of 5 stars
You have got to be kidding!!!
I am absolutely disgusted. Racism and complete media bias is the only reason this type of propaganda is allowed to exits. Child brainwashing has begun.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring
Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope
A story of hope and conviction.The writing style is poetic and the illustrations are fantastic.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cam
I was going to keep this item for myself but decided this would be a great gift for my nephew.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Song to the future
Some children’s books are read to them at times when they fall to sleep or when they just wake and are really with you, in a classroom after lunch at U Pick It Time, and these…
1.0 out of 5 stars
swill…
absolute swill. It’s deeply disturbing that an american publisher would be so blinded by the money to be made, that they’d be willing to put their name to this.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiration
Excellent book that would bring inspiration to any child. I really enjoyed reading it to my Grandchildren!