Ever since Barack Obama was young, hope has lived inside him. From the beaches of Hawaii to the streets of Chicago, from the jungles of Indonesia to the plains of Kenya, he has held on to hope. Even as a boy, Barack knew he wasn’t quite like anybody else, but through his journeys he found the ability to listen to hope and become what he was meant to be: a bridge to bring people together. 5-8 years
Be Bold, Baby: Michelle Obama
By Alison Oliver
Celebrate Michelle Obama’s most motivational and powerful moments, with quotes from the former First Lady and vibrant illustrations by Alison Oliver. Baby-3 years
Who Is Barack Obama?
By Roberta Edwards, Illustrated by John O’Brien
As the world now knows, Barack Obama has made history as our first African-American president. With black-and-white illustrations throughout, this biography is perfect for primary graders. 8-12 years
Who Is Michelle Obama?
By Megan Stine, Illustrated by John O’Brien
Born into a close knit family in Chicago, Michelle Robinson was a star student who graduated from Princeton and Harvard Law. Then in 1992, she married another promising young lawyer and the rest, as they say, is history. It is undeniable that President Barack Obama has changed the United States. But so has Michelle Obama, the self proclaimed “Mom in Chief.” This is a compelling, easy-to-read biography. 8-12 years
Barack Obama: Out of Many, One
By Shana Corey
A Step 3 Step into Reading Biography Reader about our forty-fourth president, Barack Obama. With clear and accessible language, independent readers can learn how the lessons and love from Obama’s mother and grandparents shaped him. How the places he lived influenced him. And how he turned his childhood feeling of being an outsider into a positive driving force that propelled him into the history books. 5-8 years
Michelle Obama: First Lady, Going Higher
By Shana Corey, Illustrated by James Bernardin
Michelle Obama is a lot like you. She grew up on the South Side of Chicago with her brother, Craig. She rode her bike and played freeze tag with her friends. And she and her family ate dinner together every night.
Michelle’s parents taught her to work hard and not let anyone or anything stand in her way. That work ethic propelled her through her whole life—through her magnet high school, her college years at Princeton, and Harvard Law School. Her parents also taught her to help others once she found success. This is evident in her work as First Lady of the United States and beyond. 5-8 years
Barack
By Jonah Winter, Illustrated by AG Ford
This is a journey that began in many places.
It began in Kansas, home of Barack’s mother. It began in Africa, home of Barack’s father. It began in Hawaii one moonlit night, the night that Barack was born.
Sometimes it was a lonely journey. Sometimes it was an enchanted journey. But throughout this most unusual ride, this boy often wondered: Who am I? Where do I belong?
Jonah Winter and AG Ford re-create the extraordinary story behind the rise of the inspirational icon Barack Obama. 4-8 years
Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment
By Parker Curry and Jessica Curry, Illustrated by Brittany Jackson
A visit to Washington, DC’s National Portrait Gallery forever alters Parker Curry’s young life when she views First Lady Michelle Obama’s portrait.
When Parker Curry came face-to-face with Amy Sherald’s transcendent portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery, she didn’t just see the First Lady of the United States. She saw a queen—one with dynamic self-assurance, regality, beauty, and truth who captured this young girl’s imagination. When a nearby museum-goer snapped a photo of a mesmerized Parker, it became an internet sensation. Inspired by this visit, Parker, and her mother, Jessica Curry, tell the story of a young girl and her family, whose trip to a museum becomes an extraordinary moment. 4-8 years
Barack Obama: Groundbreaking President
By Jodie Shepherd
Fact-filled Rookie Read-About Biographies introduce the youngest readers to influential women and men, both past and present. This book offers a look back at President Obama’s road to the highest office in the land and provides an overview of some of his greatest accomplishments as chief executive. 6-9 years
I Look Up to Michelle Obama
By Anna Membrino, Illustrated by Fatti Burke
It’s never too early to introduce your child to the people you admire! This board book distills Michelle Obama’s excellent qualities into illustrated little baby-sized bites, with text designed to share and read aloud.
Each spread highlights an important trait, and is enhanced by a quote from Michelle herself. Kids will grow up hearing the words of this influential woman. Preschool and up
The Story of Barack Obama: A Biography Book for New Readers
By Tonya Leslie
Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States. Before he made history fighting for the environment, health care, and civil rights, he was a smart kid who knew he wanted to help others. He worked hard to become a lawyer, a senator, and then the president, all so that he could make people’s lives better.
With this Barack Obama children’s book, you can explore how he went from being a boy growing up in Hawaii to one of the most celebrated leaders in the world. How will his extraordinary journey inspire you? 6-8 years
Michelle Obama First Lady and Superhero
By Sarah Howden, Illustrated by Nick Craine
During a special Girl Scouts trip, Darlene gets to camp out on the lawn of the White House! But how will she find the courage to show Michelle Obama her knot-tying skills? 4-8 years
The President Sang Amazing Grace
By Zoe Mulford, Illustrated by Jeff Scher
When nine people were killed in a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, the nation grieved as one, and when President Barack Obama sang “Amazing Grace” during his eulogy for Reverend Clementa Pinckney, it was acknowledged as one of the most powerful moments of his presidency. 5-7 years
Become Like Michelle Obama
By Caroline Moss, Illustrated by Sinem Erkas
Discover how Michelle became an inspirational leader, FLOTUS, lawyer, author, and role model in this true story of her life. Then, learn 10 key lessons from her work you can apply to your own life.
Michelle Obama grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a little bungalow with a close-knit family. She loved going to school, and she knew that, one day, she would use her voice to empower other young girls, just like her. Young Michelle was a brilliant student and wonderful daughter. With hard work and talent, she propelled herself into the universities of Princeton and Harvard. She qualified as a lawyer and life was going smoothly…Then she met a guy named Barack. 6-8 years
The book descriptions are primarily from the publishers.
If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and/or leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author
