Books | Obama reads his children's book to 2nd graders | Seattle Times Newspaper

Books | Obama reads his children's book to 2nd graders | Seattle Times Newspaper: "ARLINGTON, Va. —

Usually, big-name authors plug their books on a nationwide book tour. President Barack Obama took a lower-key approach Friday, reading selections from his new children's book to a group of delighted second-graders in suburban Virginia.

In the library of Long Branch Elementary School, some four dozen youngsters giggled and squirmed as Obama gave voice to passages from 'Of Thee I Sing,' an illustrated volume in the form of a letter to his daughters describing the lives of 13 great Americans. It was written in 2008 but just came out this fall, with proceeds going to a scholarship fund for the children of fallen and disabled soldiers.

'I wanted to borrow you guys, and read to you,' Obama explained, sitting down on a wooden chair as the children sat cross-legged on the carpet.

He began with entries on Albert Einstein - 'he was one of the smartest men ever' - and Jackie Robinson - 'he was the first African-American to play in major league baseball' - before skipping to the end, and the entry on Abraham Lincoln.

'Everybody know who Abraham Lincoln is?' Obama asked, to a chorus of 'Yes!' from the youngsters. 'He helped to end slavery in the United States.'

Obama left behind a signed copy for the school library. 'You can read about all these other different people who are brave and imaginative and creative and smart, just like you guys are,' he said. 'I hope you enjoy it.'

Obama also read the Christmas poem ''Twas the Night Before Christmas' by Clement Moore, pausing so the kids could jump in at key points and making side comments on things like the couple of inches of snow Washington was dusted with Thursday. 'I'm surprised you guys are in school 'cause a lot of times in Washington people don't go to school when there's even an inch of snow,' he said.

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Obama honors Nobel winner with statement about himself | Washington Examiner

Obama honors Nobel winner with statement about himself | Washington Examiner: "There was an extraordinary scene at the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo Friday morning. The prize went to imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, who was barred by the Chinese government from attending the ceremony. It was the first time since 1935 -- when the prize went to a winner imprisoned in one of Adolf Hitler's concentration camps -- that the Peace Prize winner did not appear personally to accept the award.

So on this notable occasion, the White House released a statement from President Obama on the awarding of the prize to Liu in absentia. And this is how Obama's statement began:

One year ago, I was humbled to receive the Nobel Peace Prize -- an award that speaks to our highest aspirations, and that has been claimed by giants of history and courageous advocates who have sacrificed for freedom and justice.

Critics have often said of Obama that 'it's all about him,' that he has a tendency to reference himself no matter what subject he is discussing. Could he do any more to prove them right? But just to show that he is, in fact, humble, the president followed his opening sentence with this:

Mr. Liu Xiaobo is far more deserving of this award than I was.

In the rest of his statement, Obama writes that 'We respect China's extraordinary accomplishment in lifting millions out of poverty, and believe that human rights include the dignity that comes with freedom from want.' But of course, Liu wasn't at the Nobel ceremony in Oslo because of the Chinese government, so Obama adds, 'Mr. Liu reminds us that human dignity also depends upon the advance of democracy, open society, and the rule of law. The values he espouses are universal, his struggle is peaceful, and he should be released as soon as possible.' And then, before closing, the president makes one more reference to himself:

I regret that Mr. Liu and his wife were denied the opportunity to attend the ceremony that Michelle and I attended last year.

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Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness