Books for Lincoln’s 200th Birthday

Compiled by John A. Sellers, Children's Bookshelf -- Publishers Weekly, 1/8/2009

February 12, 1809 saw the birth of two enormously influential figures—Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. Dozens of children’s titles are arriving to mark the bicentennial of their birthdays (not to mention the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species). Among the many offerings are a novel written from the viewpoint of Lincoln’s sister, a photo-essay of the 16th President, a new edition of On the Origin of Species, and an account of the Beagle’s voyage narrated by Darwin’s assistant. Here we round up the many children’s titles celebrating President Lincoln. (For a listing of Charles Darwin titles, click here.)

*Pub months are 2009 unless otherwise noted.

Visions of a Young Lincoln

A number of books pair historical research with a bit of creative license to conjure portraits of Abraham Lincoln’s youth.

In Our Abe Lincoln by Jim Aylesworth, illus. by Barbara McClintock, a cast of children put on a school play that tells Lincoln’s life story. Scholastic Press, $16.99, ages 4-8, ISBN 978-0-439-92548-8; Feb.

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend) by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by John Hendrix, is a picture book that recounts an adventure involving Lincoln and a childhood friend. Random/Schwartz & Wade, $19.99, ages 4-8, ISBN 978-0-375-83768-5; Sept. ’08

In the picture book Abe’s Fish: A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln by Jen Bryant, illus. by Amy June Bates, a young Lincoln has a chance encounter with a soldier during the War of 1812. Sterling, $15.95, ages 4-up, ISBN 978-1-4027-6252-9; Feb.

Written and illustrated by Neil Waldman, Voyages: Reminiscences of Young Abe Lincoln uses primary resources as it takes readers up and down the Mississippi River with the future President, as he contemplates the abolition of slavery. Boyds Mills/Calkins Creek, $16.95, ages 10-up, ISBN 978-1-59078-471-6; Mar.

The Life of a President

From accounts of his personal life to his struggles and triumphs as President, Lincoln’s adult life is explored in numerous new titles.

Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln by Doreen Rappaport, illus. by Kadir Nelson, is a picture book account of Lincoln’s life as he grew into the president who would guide America through the Civil War and abolish slavery. Disney-Hyperion, $16.99, ages 4-8, ISBN 978-1-4231-0408-7; Nov. ’08

Abraham Lincoln Tells a Joke by Kathleen Krull and Paul Brewer, illus. by Stacy Innerst, highlights the former President’s sense of humor, even in trying times. HMH/Harcourt, $16, ages 6-9, ISBN 978-0-15-206639-0; Oct.

Using the President’s own words and phrases, What Lincoln Said by Sarah L. Thomson, illus. by James E. Ransome, traces Lincoln’s life. Collins, $17.99, ages 6-9, ISBN 978-0-06-084819-4; Dec. ’08

In the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination, Abraham Lincoln Comes Home by Robert Burleigh, illus. by Wendell Minor, is a boy’s account of seeing Lincoln’s funeral train as it crossed the country. Holt/Ottaviano, $16.95, ages 6-10, ISBN 978-0-8050-7529-8; Aug. ’08

A Savage Thunder: Antietam and the Bloody Road to Freedom by Jim Murphy examines this battle’s role as a turning point in the Civil War. S&S/McElderry, $17.99, ages 8-12, ISBN 978-0-689-87633-2; July

Part of the 10 Days series, Abraham Lincoln by David Colbert is a biography of Lincoln that focuses on 10 critical days spread throughout his life. S&S/Aladdin, paper $6.99, ages 8-13, ISBN 978-1-4169-6807-8; Jan.

Who Was Abraham Lincoln? by Janet Pascal, illus. by John O’Brien, is a nonfiction biography in the Who Was... series that includes black & white illustrations and maps. Grosset & Dunlap, paper $4.99, ages 9-11, ISBN 978-0-448-44886-2; Nov. ’08

Gettysburg: The Graphic Novel by C.M. Butzer focuses on the events of the Civil War as well as one of Lincoln’s most famous speeches, The Gettysburg Address, using primary sources for the text. Collins, $16.99, paper $9.99, ages 9-14, ISBN 978-0-06-156176-4; -156175-7; Dec. ’08

Designed as a period newspaper, Lincoln Shot: A President’s Life Remembered by Barry Denenberg, illus. by Christopher Bing, commemorates the 16th President, from his Kentucky upbringing through his assassination. Feiwel and Friends, $24.95, ages 9-up, ISBN 978-0-312-37013-8; Sept. ’ 08

Lincoln Through the Lens: How Photography Revealed and Shaped an Extraordinary Life by Martin W. Sandler is a photo-essay featuring more than 100 images of Lincoln and his era. Walker & Co., $19.99, ages 10-14, ISBN 978-0-8027-9666-0; Oct. ’08

Mr. Lincoln’s High-Tech War by Thomas B. Allen examines Lincoln’s military strategies during the Civil War and the role technology played in the Union victory. National Geographic, $18.95, ages 10-up, ISBN 978-1-4263-0379-1; Jan. 

Adapted from the author’s bestselling adult book, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer, James L. Swanson’s Chasing Lincoln’s Killer follows the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth. Scholastic Press, $16.99, ages 12-up, ISBN 978-0-43-990354-7; Feb.

Lincoln & Co.

No man—even a President—is an island, and several new titles emphasize Lincoln’s relationships with family, friends and contemporaries.

The picture book Abe Lincoln Loved Animals by Ellen Jackson, illus. by Doris Ettlinger, explores Lincoln’s compassion for the animal kingdom, based on accounts from Lincoln’s family and friends. Albert Whitman, $16.95, ages 4-8, ISBN 978-0-8075-0123-8; Sept. ’08

Lincoln’s sons Tad and Willie take center stage in Mr. Lincoln’s Boys: Being the Mostly True Adventures of Abraham Lincoln’s Trouble-Making Sons, Tad and Willie by Staton Rabin, illus. by Bagram Ibatoulline, which explores the boys’ mischievous side. Viking, $16.99, ages 5-8, ISBN 978-0-670-06169-3; Oct. ’08

Tad and Willie also give their unique perspective of their father’s life—his decision to run for President, life in the White House and his struggles during the Civil War—in Lincoln and His Boys by Rosemary Wells, illus. by P.J. Lynch. Candlewick, $16.99, ages 8-12, ISBN 978-0-7636-3723-1; Jan.

Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship by Nikki Giovanni, illus. by Bryan Collier, reunites the team behind Rosa for this picture book about Lincoln’s relationship and work with abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Henry Holt, $16.95, ages 6-up, ISBN 978-0-8050-8264-7; Sept. ’08

My Brother Abe: Sally Lincoln’s Story by Harry Mazer is a novel told from the perspective of Lincoln’s older sister, as the family endures several tragedies. S&S, $15.99, ages 8-12, ISBN 978-1-4169-3884-2; Jan.

Part of the Turning Points series, A House Divided by Marshall Poe, illus. by Leland Purvis, follows two brothers who follow different paths—one volunteering with Lincoln’s campaign, the other joining abolitionist John Brown. S&S/Aladdin, paper $8.99, ages 8-12, ISBN 978-1-4169-5057-8; Jan. 

With photographs, letters, and cartoons, The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming provides a biographical history of the Lincoln family. Random/Schwartz & Wade, $24.99, ages 10-14, ISBN 978-0-375-83618-3; Oct. ’08

Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker: The Unlikely Friendship of Elizabeth Keckley and Mary Todd Lincoln by Lynda Jones tells of the relationship between a former slave and the former First Lady. National Geographic, $18.95, ages 10-up, ISBN 978-1-4263-0377-7; Jan.

Second Terms

Several previously published books about Lincoln return in new editions to commemorate his bicentennial.

A boy who shares Lincoln’s birthday studies the former President’s life in A. Lincoln and Me by Louise Borden and Ted Lewin. Scholastic, paper $4.99, ages 4-8, ISBN 978-0-439-86277-6; Jan.

Young Abe Lincoln: Frontier Days 1809–1837 by Cheryl Harness is a picture book account of Lincoln’s younger days, including his election to the Illinois General Assembly and his law practice. National Geographic, paper $7.95, ages 8-12, ISBN 978-0-7922-6904-5; Dec. ’08

And Harness’s Abe Lincoln Goes to Washington covers Lincoln’s later years, through his rise to the Presidency and handling of the Civil War. National Geographic, paper $7.95, ages 8-12, ISBN 978-1-4263-0436-1; Dec. ’08

Lincoln: In His Own Words by Milton Meltzer, illus. by Stephen Alcorn, collects Lincoln’s speeches, letters and other writings. HMH/Sandpiper, paper $9.99, ages 12-up, ISBN 978-0-15-206436-5; Jan.