Filed under: Hot Picks, Children's, Young Adult, Politics
Of Thee I Sing' is a tribute to 13 historical Americans, who helped shape the nation, from the artist Georgia O'Keeffe to Jackie Robinson, the black first Major League Baseball player, to George Washington, the first president of the United States, said Chip Gibson, president and publisher of Random House Children's Books.
President Obama was inspired by his daughters Malia and Sasha to write the book to convey the importance of history. Images of the two and their dog Bo are colorfully displayed on the cover, skipping carefree across a green lawn beneath an azure sky. Loren Long, the award-winning and New York Times best-selling artist, illustrated the book.
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"It is an honor to publish this extraordinary book, which is an inspiring marriage of words and images, history and story,'' Gibson offered. " 'Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters' celebrates the characteristics that unite all Americans-the potential to pursue our dreams and forge our own paths.''
The book, to be released with a 500,000 copy first-printing, was completed before the president took office. It is part of a three-book, $1.9 million deal brokered by then-Illinois Sen. Obama's lawyer with Random House, according to ABC News. It will be published by Alfred A. Knopf.
The other books included in the deal are: 'Dreams from My Father' and 'The Audacity of Hope,' both international bestsellers.
Proceeds from the sale of 'Of Thee I Sing' will be donated to a scholarship fund for the children of fallen and disabled soldiers. The suggested retail price for print e-book is $17.99.