About
Our President Was Called Barack—A "Yes We Can" Book for Kids
$39,792
1,164
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Our President Was Called Barack will be a book for kids that tells the story of Barack Obama and how kids can follow his example to be kind and make change.
I keep thinking about my nephews and kids like them. What will the next few years teach kids about America and what it stands for? What will they learn from the current U.S. president about how to treat other people?
Let’s make sure kids know the story of a president who represented the best of us, and who showed us what we can do when we all work together for change.
Because kids should know:
We once had a president who was kind and who knew that everyone is important.
Kids should know that we once had a president who pulled the country out of the worst economic crisis we've seen since the Great Depression, saved the auto industry, ended two wars, and championed diversity and equality.
Kids should know that we once had a president who was black.
Above all, kids should know that all of us can be a part of making our country better, for everyone in it…
… and change can start with them.
The words and the art for the book are done. Now I need to hire a layout designer to bring it all together in a professional book, buy ISBNs, get the first 1,000 copies printed, and ship everything!
1. The book: Hardcover, 32 pages, eight inches by eight inches—small enough to be held by little hands but appropriate for bigger readers, too.
The book will be filled with words by Laura Olin (that's me!) and original artwork by Franziska Barczyk telling the story of the 44th president of the United States to inspire kids to be kind and make change.
2. Exclusive to Kickstarter: A coloring pack featuring original illustrations of Michelle Obama, Joe Biden, and Bo the dog alongside motivational messages (and barking; Bo can't really talk). Color one in with your favorite shades and put it on your fridge or next to your desk for a little daily inspiration.
3. A "70 Ways to Change the World" poster PDF you can print at home and put up on your wall to remind you that you have the power to help, in ways big and small—from registering a friend to vote to giving a surprise burrito to someone who looks like they could use it. A Kickstarter Exclusive.
4. Your friend or family member's name in the Changemaker Hall of Fame
ONLY ON KICKSTARTER: Have the name of your daughter, son, niece, nephew, or friend printed in the book as someone who will change the world—or someone who already has.
5. Signed copies, a school pack, and more!
My name is Laura Olin. I’ve worked in politics and advocacy for most of the last 15 years, including two years on the 2012 campaign to re-elect Barack Obama. (Among other things, I was in charge of @BarackObama on Twitter, back when we had a president who recognized he had more important things to do than tweeting and thus asked other people to do it for him.)
I make stuff on the side: I had a humor book published last year and ran a popular email newsletter for three years.
I need help to hire a layout designer to bring the book together, buy ISBNs, print the first 1,000 copies, and ship them.
THE PLAN:
November: Kickstarter campaign launches
December: Kickstarter campaign ends
January/February: Book gets laid out
March: Book goes to printer
April/May: Books packaged and shipped!
WHERE THE $ WILL GO:
I hope you'll be a part of putting this small good thing into the world. (And please spread the word!) Thank you!
With special thanks to illustrator Jeremy Nguyen whose illustrations are featured in the Coloring Pack, Frances MacLeod for lettering, video editor Nicole Michaelis, and audio engineer Fametta Sawyer.
Risks and challenges
Low risks and no anticipated big challenges. I've published a book and otherwise have an excellent track record of completing big projects on deadline before (elections don't really shift if you're not ready for them). The manuscript and the art for the book are already done and I have the next steps of the process thoroughly researched and planned. Let's do this!
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Funding period
- (29 days)