WASHINGTON —
has worked to shield his daughters from the spotlight, will publish a
children’s book later this fall framed as a letter from him to them.
Aides to Obama say the president and first lady
aren’t worried that the book will foist the children into the public
eye, because it is not about them, but rather a tribute to 13 Americans
and their commitment to the nation.
The Obamas intend to continue protecting the privacy of their daughters, Malia and Sasha, according to
“Our encouragement is to keep their private lives
private,” Gibbs said Wednesday. The volume is “an inspirational book
about the country they live in and about their ability and the ability
for children throughout this country to dream … to dream big and
accomplish whatever they want to.”
“Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to
The manuscript is part of a three-volume deal Obama signed after his election to the
in 2004, and was completed before he was sworn in as president. It is
being marketed as a “moving tribute” to groundbreaking Americans and
the ideals that have shaped the nation.
Artist
Upon moving into the
their children out of the limelight. In many ways, the Obamas follow
the precedent that
After all, said Gibbs,
Gibbs said the president will not be deeply involved in marketing the book.
Knopf Executive Editor
Illustrated by best-selling artist
Its first run will see 500,000 copies printed, and proceeds will go to
a scholarship fund for the children of dead and disabled soldiers.
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