Obama prevails children's world of books

Washington, Nov 15: US President Barack Obama has found his way into the world of children.

Kansas State University children's literature expert Phil Nel says he's astounded by the market share of the children's book on Obama.

He said there were around 60 children's titles about Obama - including two-dozen before he was elected to the presidency and more than 35 since.

The total does not include books about members of the Obama family or Bo, the family dog.

"For those unfamiliar with the American book market, to have this many children's books about a candidate or a president so soon in his term of office is rather unusual," Nel said.

"After eight years in office, George W Bush inspired 17 fewer titles than Obama," he added.

Nel's research on Obama and children's literature focuses on two books, 'Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope' by Nikki Grimes and Brian Collier, and 'Barack' by Jonah Winter and A G Ford.

These books portray the 44th US president as a hero, bridge builder and uniter.

"Both books suggest that by embracing his biracial background, Obama is able to transcend race-an idea that is simultaneously problematic and accurate," Nel said.

"In both, Obama is a bridge holding together diverse categories, somehow able to rise above politics and unite an array of people," he added.

ANI