Of Thee I sing: A Letter to My Daughters

Title: Of Thee I sing: A letter to my daughters

Author: Barack Obama

Illustrator: Loren Long

Genre: Historical/Informational non-fiction

Theme: Our country had many different kinds of people and we have always and always should embrace our differences and different ideas as those shapes our great country.

Summary:

Barack Obama wrote a letter for his two daughters explaining how they can be one of these every famous people with a brief biography and how they contributed their greatness to our country (i.e. Helen Keller, Martin Luther King, Albert Einstein….). For example, Obama explained Martin Luther King was known for fighting for equality rights and he hopes that his daughters will take on King’s traits. Finally, Obama wanted his daughters to know that our country would not be great if it was not for those people who shaped our country as the one we know today.

Literary Elements:

Setting- In the book, it explained thirteen historical figures (all from the past), each one of them had their own page where it provides integral background where it truly described who they were and where they were at. For example, you will see Jackie Robinson wearing his baseball uniform and people around him cheering him on as he struck the ball with his bat. However, on the opposite page of each character’s page—there are children listening to what Obama has to say—therefore that background is during the present time.

Characterization- Even though each character has its own brief biography; it does not really explain the depth of who they were and details of their struggles/ victories they have experienced. Therefore, each character in the book is superficial (or flat). Each character was portrayed as the person who was viewed as “different” but overcame that as they showed their strengths through by showing their kindness, courage, determination….etc. Children who read this book can identify their differences with those characters and decide whether if they want to be great like those thirteen historical figures.

Plot- The sequence of this book within its text and its illustrations were very interesting! As I have mentioned before, all of those characters has their own page as it is being shown that they were in the past. However, on the opposite page of each character’s page, on there are a few children that are listening to what Obama has to say….So basically, they are in the present as they listen to what Obama is saying. As Obama explains each famous person, the picture of them are in the past. I would call this book’s sequence of events as an episodic. Children identifies this book with two conflicts—self versus self and self versus society.

Theme- Even though this book was written for his daughter, his message was clear; each individual (not just Malia and Sasha) should know that they carry something special to contribute to our country no matter how different they may be. Regardless of what races, religions, and beliefs we may have, we all can work together to protect/defend our great country.

Style- Obama’s writing style was in a “letter” writing and it was very inspiring, positive, and determined. Words certainly were carefully chosen for the children to read as the message was very clear and straightforward. Long’s illustrations were very moving, powerful and beautiful. With his illustrations for each character, you could see their emotions coming out—for example, you can see Martin King Luther’s determined face as he held hands with the others as they all fought for civil rights. Both of their works worked well together. The entire writing style was viewed in second person.

Reflection/Evaluation-

This book truly promotes for all of us to embrace our diverse backgrounds and emphasize that our nation will always be great because we strive to work together to preserve our country. Whenever the child read the book, each word gives the child all encouragement that they are already something great….an American. I have noticed that toward the end in the book, every picture included an America flag where it made me feel very patriotic. I truly have no criticism for this book. Well, maybe that each character could be a bit become more “round” to allow for children to have more information. Plus, this book could be an obstacle for children to read it as in not being allowed to do so all due to some ridiculous politics. I just truly appreciate how Obama and Long sincerely wanted to show that if we all came together to become one then our country forever will be great. (FYI- buy this book because if you do so, all money will go straight to the charity for fallen war veterans and education)