Barack

by Jonah Winter

Book Overview

A glowing picture book biography of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. This is a journey that began in many places. It began in Kansas, home of Barack's mother. It began in Africa, home of Barack's father. It began in Hawaii one moonlit night, the night that Barack was born. Sometimes it was a lonely journey. Sometimes it was an enchanted journey. But throughout this most unusual ride, this boy often wondered: Who am I? Where do...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061703923
• ISBN13: 9780061703928
• Release Date: September 2008
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.5" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Amazingly Illustrated, Charming Children's Book

This book is really a treasure and I'm a little surprised I haven't heard more about it (although I just checked and I guess it's actually a best-seller so maybe I just wasn't paying attention!) I bought it for my 7 year old nephew who adores Barack Obama and wants to learn all about him. My nephew LOVES this book, really enjoys reading it and having it read to him. I would say this book is really ideal for a 7 year old, for someone younger and up to maybe a 10 year old. If your child is older than 10, there may be some more age-appropriate Obama biographies, although I think anyone of any age would enjoy the book very much. There is another children's book about BO that I browsed in the bookstore and I chose this one because I really loved the illustrations which are BEAUTIFUL and, as another commenter said, remind me of old-fashioned children's books and the realistic imagery they used. The book itself is a very age-appropriate and well-written retelling of Barack Obama's general biography. The writing is very lyrical and charming. Overall, a great find, although I look forward to buying another Obama biography that includes his election to the Presidency of the United States, since this one was written before the election even happened. Still, highly recommended and would be adored by any child under 10.

Excellent gift for grandchildren

I purchased four Barack books for my grandchildren for this historic election. The book takes a younger child's view and explains much about his background and what he has accomplished. I assume it will be a collector book some day.

Obama Drama

This is an openly affectionate portrait of Barack Obama, speaking to where he comes from and what he hopes to stand for. My young son is an Obama fan, for any number of reasons he can tell you about if you're in the neighborhood, and this book helps him better understand the man he likes so much. The writing's precise and spirited, nicely suited for its intended readership but also not likely to drive parents nuts if they're reading the words aloud. A sweet and thoughtful book.

We need this kind of literature for our kids

This is a beautifully written and illustrated story for children. It's an inspirational story of self-discovery that also imparts our American values of pursuing one's dreams with hard work and perseverance. I'm a Republican and don't support/like Obama, but this is a great book because it tells a story my kids enjoy about another human being who has made something of his life. (I only wish the McCain book was as well written). I highly recommend this and Winter's other children's biographies if you want your children to enjoy learning about about history and culture through truly inspirational life stories.

Tremendous

Of the current group of books for children about Obama, this is by far the most well-written, most successfully executed, and most child-appropriate one. This isn't a smart country we live in, and children do, regardless of what the election's outcome might be, need to have the story of this candidate told in simple terms, in writing and not in a schmaltzy TV documentary. After 8 horrendous years, Americans nominated this man to run for President--a tremendous stride for his race; a book about a historic moment like this is worth more than all the toilet-training adventures and ghost-written celebrity stories about minding your manners you could possibly imagine. The illustrations, too, by a newcomer, promise a strong, strong career. I was very happy to purchase this book, and I'm very happy to see a work with such a combination of sophistication and energy on the market. A million thanks to everyone involved.