Change Has Come

In honor of the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, it seems appropriate to highlight Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit. Effectively combining the words of Barack Obama and the drawings of award-winning artist and children's book illustrator Kadir Nelson, this is a small, yet powerful, book. The quotations stress change, the importance of voting, the need to work together, and the fact that, "Together, ordinary people can still do extraordinary things." Kadir Nelson's "spontaneous drawings" complement the words of Obama. While published by the young readers imprint of Simon & Schuster, this is definitely a book for all ages, not just children. For many children, the most important message they received from the election is that an African American really can grow up to be President of the United States. I think there are also some messages in this little book that are important to share with our kids and teens

Related: Inauguration Swearing-In Ceremony 2009 and Inauguration Parade 2009 (About.com: Washington, D.C.)

(Cover art courtesy of Simon & Schuster BFYR, An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.)