Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids' Letters to President Obama - Softcover

"I really hope you put America back together. No pressure though."
-- Sheenie Shannon Yip, age 13, Seattle
"1. Fly to the White House in a helicopter. 2. Walk in. 3. Wipe feet. 4. Walk to the Oval Office. 5. Sit down in a chair. 6. Put hand sanitizer on hands. 7. Enjoy moment. 8. Get up. 9. Get in car. 10. Go to the dog pound."
-- Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago
"You are just like a big me." -- Avante Price, age 7, Seattle
"A hilarious and touching collection of letters compiled at 826 Valencia in San Francisco and the writing center's half dozen chapters across the country.
-- "San Francisco Chronicle"

"A hilarious and touching collection of letters compiled at 826 Valencia in San Francisco and the writing center's half dozen chapters across the country."
-- "San Francisco Chronicle"
"(Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country)... offers a moving snapshot of children's lives in the waning days of 2008."
-- "USA Today"
"A collection of childhood wisdom that just might make a difference in the difficult times ahead."
-- MSNBC/ NBC Chicago
"Preternaturally sagacious youngsters from 826 National's various tutoring centers across the country chimed in to the national dialogue with their advice, concerns and hopes for their new president."
-- "LA Times"
"With John as editor, "Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: A Collection of Kids' Letters to President Obama" has become a much-talked about project that, at its core, is really a child's perspective on the notions of hope, ideals and challenges facing the 44th president of the United States."
-- "Tahoe Daily Tribune"

Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country includes such advice as:
"If I were president, I would help all nations, even Hawaii."
Chad Timsing, age 9, Los Angeles

"I really hope you put America back together. No pressure though."
Sheenie Shannon Yip, age 13, Seattle

"1. Fly to the White House in a helicopter. 2. Walk in. 3. Wipe feet. 4. Walk to the Oval Office. 5. Sit down in a chair. 6. Put hand sanitizer on hands. 7. Enjoy moment. 8. Get up. 9. Get in car. 10. Go to the dog pound."
Chandler Browne, age 12, Chicago

And, while it wasn't advice, exactly, we thought this was worth sharing:
"You are just like a big me."
Avante Price, age 7, Seattle

"A hilarious and touching collection of letters compiled at 826 Valencia in San Francisco and the writing center's half dozen chapters across the country."
-- San Francisco Chronicle

"(Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country)... offers a moving snapshot of children's lives in the waning days of 2008."
-- USA Today

"A collection of childhood wisdom that just might make a difference in the difficult times ahead."
-- MSNBC/ NBC Chicago

"Preternaturally sagacious youngsters from 826 National's various tutoring centers across the country chimed in to the national dialogue with their advice, concerns and hopes for their new president."
-- LA Times

"With John as editor, Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: A Collection of Kids' Letters to President Obama has become a much-talked about project that, at its core, is really a child's perspective on the notions of hope, ideals and challenges facing the 44th president of the United States."
-- Tahoe Daily Tribune

Dear Barack Obama, Something happened to me: I went out to lunch at Starbucks and I wanted to buy a cup of whipped cream and normally it's 43 cents, but now it's 74 cents! The price raised 31 cents for no reason. So you should probably try to change things like that from happening. You should keep an eye out for things like that.Love, Alexis Feliciano, age 9, Brooklyn Dear President Obama, What is your favorite holiday? My favorite holidays are Christmas and Halloween. I would be a good president and stop bad drugs. What stuff is in the White House? Answer here: _________________________________ You would never say bad words because you would never break the law.Sincerely, Kevin Cordova, age 7, Los Angeles Dear President Obama, I know you want to save the Earth, but people don't want to clean. My life is to clean up all the world and help you to clean. I always dream of cleaning the world for you. I'll do anything for you because you are the president in this world.Stephanie Gonzalez, age 7, Los Angeles Dear President Barack Obama, When I was watching television on November 4th, I started crying because I was so happy. Everyone in my neighborhood kept honking their cars, yelling, and texting their friends about how you had been elected the 44th president.My friend's dad is going to open a new ice-cream store right in front of my house and they are going to try to open it on January 20th in honor of you.: ) My family and I have been talking about when you become president that it is going to be very hard. Don't worry, you have me, my family, my friends, and St. James School to support you. Just remember that you have two wonderful daughters that love you and a wife that loves you too and remember that she is as beautiful as a rose.Well, thanks, and I hope you have a great time running the country.: ) Sincerely, Yoselin Teresa Martinez Xonthe, San Francisco Dear President Obama, If I were president, I would tell people to not talk too much. It wastes time. If I were the president, you wouldn't have to pay rent. When you go to the store, you wouldn't have to pay for sure! I'd also say to war: no more, no more, no more!Catherine Galvan, age 6, Chicago