On a more serious note another picture book by a friend introduces Michelle Obama. The book MICHELLE by Deborah Hopkinson, illustrated by AG Ford (Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins, 2009, $17.99 ) comes soon on the heels of many television reports talking about the heritage of this remarkable First Lady. The book opens with scenes from the inauguration of her husband as the first black man elected to the presidency. The text then shifts to following the life of Michelle. Michelle’s parents, especially her mother who taught Michelle and her brother to read by age four, emphasized the importance of a good education for anyone’s career and life. Michelle worked and studies hard and graduated from Harvard Law School, While at her first job she was asked to mentor a student hired for the summer. This student was Barak Obama and the rest is history. The story ends “… her-tall and graceful, bold and beautiful. Michelle Obama. First Lady of America.”
The text is accompanied by lovely paintings which give breath and dimension to the author’s well-chosen words. This is a lady so-well known to the entire world and this brief treatment provides insightful data on her origins.