Kids still say the darndest things.

In the new book “Kids’ Letters to President Obama,” edited by Bill Adler and Bill Adler Jr., children have advice and questions for the guy in the hot seat. Many of their questions or observations are amusing (”Is it possible that kids could come to the White House to have a play date with your girls?”; “Are you still John McCain’s friend after all the debates?”; “You should have art around because it helps you think.”) Others are poignant (”My grandmother died of cancer this past year and I have been waiting for a cure ever since she was diagnosed… Mr. President, could we give some of our money to cancer research programs? I think I have said what needs to be said.”)

Several letters by St. Louis-area children are included in the 200 picked for this Ballantine book. Here are excerpts from some of them:

From Thai, 9, of St. Louis: “You can get everything you want. You should bring a yo-yo to the White House.”

From Everette, 9, of St. Louis: “The best part will be when you ride the Air Force One. You should bring a dog and paperwork.”

From Steven, 11, of St. Louis: “Can you un-ban cloning so I can clone myself, and is the moon a part of the United States? Can you make it where people of all ages are able to get a job because some kids don’t get allowances?  Are space dinosaurs real? I think not, because for one, it’s really unlikely for a dinosaur to be alive and not have to breathe oxygen, but my uncle believes in them.”

From Alexis, 10, of Florissant: “I have a little bit of advice for some changes. First, will you please make the gas bill go down so it is not hard for so many families. Then please make it not so hard on the moms and dads who are losing their jobs. My aunt already lost hers and she is going to suffer this Christmas. Please save our country.”

From Alyncia, 10, St. Louis: “I am just so proud of you. If you have time, could you read my letter on the news?”

From Alec, 9, of Florissant: “You seem very nice. Can you help the country by making people be nice to people they do not like?”