It took Kimberly Bouzet four days to perfect her portrait of Barack Obama.

But the hard work paid off: Her drawing of the 44th president was recently selected for a book being made for Obama himself.

"I did it four times, actually," said Kimberly, a third-grader at John I. Smith Elementary in Doral. "I had to get everything perfect."

More than 4,500 kids from across the country submitted advice, questions and colorful drawings for the book Dear Mr. President. Only 150 entries were selected.

Two of the talented young artists are from South Florida.

Roger Ali, a fourth-grader at Maplewood Elementary in Coral Springs, sketched a colorful picture of the White House.

He also offered some sage advice to the new president: "I know you're just begining [sic] to be president, but remember to DO YOUR BEST."

"Since he's going to be very tense as president, I thought he should remember to do his best, because that's the most important thing at a job, right?" said Roger, who wants to first become a veterinarian, then go to Harvard Law School, then become president.

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