Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Our Abe Lincoln
Illustrator: Barbara McClintock
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 7
Scholastic, 2008 ISBN: 0439925487
Get ready everyone, because the children in the local elementary school are going to put on a play about Abraham Lincoln in honor of his birthday. They are basing their performance on an old song about Lincoln. In the song Lincoln’s remarkable life is described.
The play begins by showing “Babe Abe Lincoln” living in the wilderness with his family in a log cabin. We see Abe, his sister, and his parents working hard under difficult conditions and we also see Abe reading “by the firelight” in the evenings. He was known for this “honesty,” and when he was a grown man the people of Illinois sent him “off to Washington” to campaign for the presidency.
With delightful illustrations that are reminiscent of a time long ago, this picture book uses an old campaign song which was popular during Abraham Lincoln’s campaigns for the Presidency to tell the story of one of America’s most beloved presidents. For each stanza of the adapted song we see the school children illustrating the words with action on the stage. Children who have been in their own school plays will appreciate this simple yet meaningful tale.
At the back of the book an author’s note further explains what is being shown in the artwork.
