Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids' Letters to President Obama

A few days after the election of Barack Obama, kids around the country were asked to provide advice and guidance to their new president. In this collection, there's loads advice for the president, often hilarious, sometimes heartfelt, and occasionally downright practical. Students from all over the country reach out to the 44th president, speaking to the issues closest to their hearts, relating their life stories, and asking for help. Topics include the economy, education, war, global warming, race relations in America and immigration. The book also includes letters about snow cones, puppies, microwavable burritos, dinosaur projects, multiplication and the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, reportedly haunting a White House bedroom.

Proceeds benefit 826 National, a network of nonprofit writing and tutoring centers around the country.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1934781576
• ISBN13: 9781934781579
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: McSweeney's
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.0" x 0.3" x 5.5"
• Age Range: 6 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 1 and higher

Customer Reviews

Entertaining, heart-warming, educational...

I purchased this book so my children could connect with how other children were feeling about our president and as a conversation starter on important issues - which it does well. Well, it's hilarious. Read this in the commercials during Jon Stewart. Some of the children are completely serious - and very insightful. Other letters are concise and what you would expect. However, there are some real gems - "buy donuts, eat donuts" - that make this a book to leave out with on the coffee table. And, yes, it is amazing to see how many children were touched by this election.

The kids have spoken

This book shows just how far Obama's message of hope has spread- all the way through to those non-voting 18 and under. And, as we're told, their hope is not just the "mirror reflections of (these kids') parents"; their thoughts and words of wisdom are truly their own. Buying this book just might be the perfect way to not only commemorate Obama's 2008 victory, but to also continue giving kids a voice.

Dear Mr. Obama

This book, above all, (above being funny or cute or heartrending, which it most certainly is, often within a page, within a sentence) is about optimism. The letters are teeming with it. Unbounded, undiluted, genuine optism. The kids ask the President for help, (for their family, for their school, for the world) give detailed advice on how he should best execute the helping, and they truly believe he will listen. Then, of course, they talk about their favorite snack, or tell on their classmates. The organization (called 826 National) that collected and benefits from the proceeds of this book is a group of tutoring and writing centers all over the country. More than just containing optimism, Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country inspires it.

Take This Advice

This collection of letters is perfectly timed. After the 24 hour news channels have pumped us up with flag waving graphics and pundits chiming in on the historic nature of this inauguration, this book is a perfect tonic. The students' letters to Obama are simple but effective. Nothing is as persuasive as the truth: "Whatever happened to McCain?", "Obama - The Best Precedent," and "You are just like a big me." The authors (all associated with various 826 non-profit tutoring centers) are serious, inquisitive, personal, and often very, very funny. These kids have created a great time capsule of the enthusiasm found lately with the young and old.

So touching

In times as complicated as ours, it's refreshing to see things from a child's perspective. This book is a collection of letters written shortly after the 2008 election, addressed to the new president. In their letters, children as young as five offer their new leader advice, ask him questions, and beg for his help. At times heartbreaking and at times hilarious, this book is a simple reminder of the themes that make us Americans and the children on whom we must focus our attention and aid.