The President Sang Amazing Grace: A Book About Finding Grace After Unspeakable Tragedy

by Zoe Mulford, Jeff Scher (Illustrator)

Overview

This picture book about Barack Obama singing with a grieving nation after the Charleston church shooting “represents an important moment in U.S. history” (Kirkus Reviews).

When nine people were killed in a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, the nation grieved as one, and when President Barack Obama sang “Amazing Grace” during his eulogy for Reverend Clementa Pinckney, it was acknowledged as one of the most powerful moments of his presidency.

Singer/songwriter Zoe Mulford was so moved that she wrote the song “The President Sang Amazing Grace,” which was sung by Joan Baez and illustrated by filmmaker and painter Jeff Scher for a video that has been viewed countless times. This book presents the lyrics to the song, Scher’s paintings, excerpts from Obama’s eulogy, biographies of those who were killed, historical context, and sheet music.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647002244
Publisher:	ABRAMS, Inc. (Ignition)
Publication date:	05/19/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	1 - 12 Years

About the Author

Zoe Mulford is a singer/songwriter. She is based in Philadelphia and Manchester, UK. Jeff Scher is an Emmy Award–winning filmmaker, animator, and painter whose work is in the collections of major museums. He resides in New York City.

Interviews

Zoe Mulford: Philadelphia, PA and Manchester, UK
Joan Baez: Woodside, CA
Jeff Scher: New York

Editorial Reviews

08/19/2019

Following the 2015 shooting that killed nine African-American people at a Charleston, S.C. prayer service, President Obama read a eulogy before leading those gathered in song. When Mulford, a singer-songwriter, heard the president sing “Amazing Grace,” she wrote a song about the shooting and aftermath that was recorded by folk artist Joan Baez and animated by Jeff Scher. Adapted into a picture book, Mulford’s sensitive lyrics (“But no words could say/ what must be said/ for all the living/ and the dead”) accompany Scher’s wash renderings. Though the paintings’ lack of detail may in picture book form lessen their emotional impact for some, the title may well serve as a conversation starter, perhaps alongside the moving video, in discussions with children about tragic events. Back matter includes factual information about the massacre and biographies of the Emanuel Nine. Ages 5–7. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

"The President Sang Amazing Grace is one of my Preview selections for Fall 19. The first time I read it I don't think I took a breath. The second time, I burst into tears. I then decided it had to be shared with our Hicklebee's community."

Valerie Lewis

08/23/2019

Gr 2–4-On June 17th, 2015, a young white man entered the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and took the lives of nine individuals. In a moment that would later define his presidency, President Obama used a familiar song to remind the nation about the importance of "Amazing Grace." Originally written as a song, this book provides an illustrated introduction to the president's response in a time of trial. Although the purpose of the book is to highlight how one can respond with grace instead of hate, readers may have more questions than answers at the book's completion. The events of June 17th are glossed over and given very little definition. Back matter includes a profile of each of the Emanuel Nine, but no source material or additional resources are provided. The lack of information is lifted somewhat by the strength of the illustrations. The watercolor and pastel images show deep emotion through the use of rich color and carefully designed scenes. VERDICT An additional purchase only. This well-illustrated ode will need additional sources for its message to hit home.-Louie Lauer, Jefferson Elementary School, Fargo, ND

School Library Journal

2019-07-28
Mulford's song about the tragic church shooting in Charleston in 2015 is transformed into a picture book.

The rhyming lyrics are simple, describing how a stranger came to a house of worship and was "let…in," though "he was not friend, he was not kin." The stranger "seemed to pray" but then he "drew a gun / and killed nine people, old and young." On this spread, white text contrasts with an all-black painted background. President Barack Obama's appearance with the community of mourners is then pictured with the chorus: "no words could say what must be said / for all the living and the dead // So on that day and in that place / the president sang Amazing Grace." The painted pictures, with tones of blue, black, and purple, move from the church to a montage of clasped hands, a crowd of mourners, various pictures of Obama, and a spread showing each of the nine victims. The song can be found online, and its performance is deeply moving; in the video, the lyrics and paintings are a stunning combination, making this book seem like a great idea. Without the music though, the book lacks the soulfulness of the video, and the unfinished look of the static paintings is not nearly so effective. Endnotes describe each contributor's relationship to the work (including performer Joan Baez and filmmaker Rick Litvin) and contain a QR code to access the video; endpapers provide sheet music.

Best read in addition to watching the video, this piece represents an important moment in U.S. history. (Picture book. 5-7)

Kirkus Reviews