this is my favorite thing i discovered on NPR recently.
Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country:
Kids' Letters to President Obama
Edited by Jory John
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, arriving at inauguration time, there's loads of 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.
Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country includes such advice as:
"If I were president, I would help all nations, even Hawaii."
- Chad Timsing, age 9, Los Angeles
"I really hope you put America back together. No pressure though."
- Sheenie Shannon Yip, age 13, Seattle
"1. Fly to the White House in a helicopter. 2. Walk in. 3. Wipe feet. 4. Walk to the Oval Office. 5. Sit down in a chair. 6. Put hand sanitizer on hands. 7. Enjoy moment. 8. Get up. 9. Get in car. 10. Go to the dog pound."
- Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago
And, while it wasn't advice, exactly, we thought this was worth sharing:
"You are just like a big me." - Avante Price, age 7, Seattle
at one point during president obama's speech (PRESIDENT OBAMA!), the cameras stopped on a a little girl who was twirling very slowly in a little circle and it made me wish i was experiencing this moment with children. it's similar to how wonderful i think it is when moms and dads took their kids into the voting booth with them. it's heart-warming to think of this moment through the eyes of children.
i am watching the neighborhood ball on abc right now and michelle is so beautiful. she also just applauded after her husband complimented her and then looked at him like "shut up, honey, be real." how much do i adore that woman?
omg, beyonce is now going to sing "at last" and i may start crying. this is also a good moment to tell you that i called my mom earlier and she was watching the inauguration (she taped it as her school teacher job is not really conducive for stopping to stare at the tv for an hour like we did at my office) and she was crying. she hadn't even gotten to the speech yet.