Praise Song for the Day is a poem intended for the President Obama’s inauguration. The poem reflects on history, while highlighting the present. Renders appreciation for the those who have paved the way and those who has begged to be different. It is intended for mature minds. Children that have the ability to reflect and understand it’s context. ( )

Commissioned for Barack Obama's first Presidential inauguration, and read in January of 2009, Elizabeth Alexander's poem, Praise Song for the Day, is presented here in picture-book form, with artwork by Caldecott Medalist David Díaz. Offering a tribute to the hard work that built America, and the struggle that went into making it a more just society, the poem concludes as a celebration of the possibilities of this new day...

Originally published in 2009 by Graywolf Press, an independent literary publisher, Praise Song for the Day is only the fourth poem commissioned for a Presidential inauguration - the first was Robert Frost's The Gift Outright, read at President Kennedy's inauguration in 1961 - and was followed by Richard Bianco's 2013 One Today, read at Obama's second inauguration. (Bianco's poem, it should be noted, is also available in picture-book form, under the same title, illustrated by Dav Pilkey). I have to admit that I have always found Alexander's poem itself rather lackluster. There's nothing wrong with it, exactly, but it also isn't that memorable, and didn't connect with me anywhere near as much as Maya Angelou's On the Pulse of Morning, read at President Clilnton's 1993 inauguration. I still have the yellowed copy of Angelou's poem that I cut out of The New York Times the day after the inauguration! That said, I thought David Díaz's artwork here was absolutely gorgeous, and really worked in expanding the meaning and emotional resonance of the text. Vibrant colors and a stunning folk-art sensibility make these illustrations an absolute pleasure to look at, saving this picture-book from being a somewhat indifferent read for me. Recommended primarily to David Díaz fans, as well as to those interested in inaugural poetry, a small but historically significant body of work. ( )

Long poem written for Barack Obama's initial inauguration.

Praise Song for the Day is a poem commissioned for Barack Obama's presidential inauguration about what makes America what it is and hope for the future. The artwork is very colorful and lively and gives the words new life. This is some of my favorite illustration work from David Diaz so far. ( )

Read for an assignment. ( )