I’m a big fan of Barack Obama. His book Dreams From My Father has been flying out of my store. I think he represents the best of what the Democrats have to offer. So I should be very excited about this piece from Publisher’s Marketplace:

Two books by Senator-elect from Illinois Barack Obama, the first providing “a window into his political and spiritual convictions,” for publication in spring 2006, again to Rachel Klayman at Crown, in a major deal, for $1.7 million, begun by Jane Dystel at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management and finished by Robert Barnett at Williams & Connolly (world). Rights to a children’s book to Michelle Frey at Knopf Children’s, for $200,000, by Robert Barnett.

It’s the second part of this that annoys me. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like everyone is publishing a kids’ book these days. All of these celebrities now feel like their voices should be heard by children—Jamie Lee Curtis, Madonna, Billy Crystal, etc. But I tell you what—-most of the books suck. I hope Barack Obama’s kids’ book is good, but I want to hear what he has to say to adults in America.