826 National hosted a series of writing workshops where the students composed letters to First Lady Michelle Obama. The results have been compiled in I Live Real Close to Where You Used to Live: Kids’ Letters to Michelle Obama (and to Sasha, Malia and Bo). In this article, The New York Times sampled the letters.

McSweeney’s and 826 National will release the $12 book on December 13th. Proceeds will support 826′s numerous writing programs for students around the country.

Here’s more about the book: “No topic is off-limits; the letters deal with issues ranging from immigration and war to Easy-Bake Ovens and dog food. While some of the messages are heartfelt – ‘Please help to stop bullying so the kids can be safe in school’ – and others are hilarious – ‘Who made up the whales?’ – all of the letters are unabashedly honest.”

President Barack Obama recently published a children’s book, Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters. Loren Long talked about illustrating the book in this video. The book features 13 prominent American heroes including Maya Lin, Billie Holiday, and Helen Keller.