Beacon of Hope: The Life of Barack Obama

by Doreen Rappaport, Tonya Engel (Illustrator)

A magnificently illustrated picture book biography of Barack Obama​: a tireless organizer, a brilliant orator, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the first Black president of the United States of America.

Before he became the president, Barack Obama was a little boy called Barry. Amid a happy childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia, he also yearned for a better understanding of Black history and culture, and a better sense of his own identity as a Black American. Spurred by conversations around race, injustice, and inequality, he became a community organizer, practiced civil rights law, and was elected to the US Senate. “Yes we can!” became a rallying cry for his message of hope and change throughout the 2008 presidential election—which resulted in Barack Obama becoming the first Black president of the United States.

This addition to the highly acclaimed Big Words series celebrates one of the most inspiring American leaders of our time. With evocative illustrations by award-winning artist Tonya Engel, Doreen Rappaport’s richly detailed narrative employs rousing quotes from Obama himself and encourages young readers to investigate who they are and who they might one day become.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Politics, History, African American, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published January 14, 2025

About the author

Doreen Rappaport has written many books of fiction and nonfiction for young readers, specializing in thoroughly researched multicultural history, historical fiction, retellings of folktales and myths, and stories of those she calls the "not-yet-celebrated." Among her recent books is Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, which received a Caldecott Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration. Doreen Rappaport divides her time between New York City and a rural village in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

He spent a lot of his childhood in Indonesia?

His mom sent him to live with his grandparents at age 9?

There were more than 3,600 kids at his school?

His dad showed up for a month when he was 9 and then disappeared and B never saw him again?

Facts I did not know. And I still don't know why his dad was so "brilliant" or why his life was so "principled," or why it "ended in bitterness and defeat."

Can we please have a community organizer back in charge instead of a con man / grifter / liar / rapist / reality TV person?

Oh dear ... the sentence "He sent Special Forces to kill Osama Bin Laden" is a bit jarring.

Did not love the illustration style.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A strikingly beautiful portrait of our 44th President. A reminder of how hard we must work to make the country what we want it to be and how far we have yet to go. This biography covers much of Barack’s early life and then his time as a lawyer in Chicago, all the way up to his time at the White House. A lovely book to read and share on Martin Luther King Jr. Day or any day.

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 317

[Shoshanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so sad. I miss President Obama so much. The kind of skills he developed and ideals towards which he worked are so hopeful and so open to the dream of American democracy. This picture book is a really good introductory biography of Barack Obama, though I know there are very good grown up ones too!

[Mary Canupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book! It provides nice insight into the life a Barack Obama and what lead to him become the President. The illustrations provided a nice touch, and gave an amazing visual representation of what the author was trying to say. This would be a good read for upper elementary students during the month of February for President's day as it tell his life story very nicely.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doreen Rappaport is the queen of picture book biographies. Once again, she performs her magic on Barack Obama. She should have written it in 2008. I had a first grade class of eager Obama supporters who would have loved this book.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thorough picture book biography of Barack "Barry" Obama, from his early years in Hawaii and Indonesia to the end of his presidency. Beautiful illustrations and carefully inserted quotations from his speeches and books also make this a strong biography.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Doreen Rappaport’s Big Word Biographies and this one didn’t disappoint. Inspiring story and captivating illustrations.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Interesting perspective on the life of Barack Obama

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very wordy and some of the illustrations are a bit wonky. Good addition to the series though.

[kate. · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations! i wish there was more nuance, like most biographies

[Jaclyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the writing of this but not the art

[Eugenia Akem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I miss you President Obama. America misses you on this day - like what is there to celebrate this 4th of July 2025?