Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country

McSweeney's, the publishing company founded by Dave Eggers (the author of the excellent, an actually appropriately named A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius), and 826 National, a national, non-profit organization that promotes and teaches literacy skills to youth, have teamed up to publish a collection of letters, words of wisdom, and advice for President-elect Obama.

From the McSweeney's store:

A few days after the election of Barack Obama, kids around the country were asked to provide advice and guidance to their new president. In this collection, arriving at inauguration time, there's loads of advice for the president, often hilarious, sometimes heartfelt and occasionally downright practical. Students from all over the country reach out to the 44th president, speaking to the issues closest to their hearts, relating their life stories, and asking for help. Topics include the economy, education, war, global warming, race relations in America and immigration. The book also includes letters about snow cones, puppies, microwavable burritos, dinosaur projects, multiplication and the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, reportedly haunting a White House bedroom.

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

Cute, huh?

For more hilarious and touching excerpts from McSweeney's, click here.

To purchase Thanks and Have Fun Running the Country: Kids' Letters to President Obama (ed. Jory John) directly from 826 National, click here.