Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Abe Lincoln: The Boy who loved books
Illustrator: Nancy Carpenter
Nonfiction Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Simon and Schuster, 2006 ISBN: 978-1416912682
Little Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in “the wilds of Kentucky.” The Lincolns had very few comforts in their rustic little log home and yet Abe’s imagination, curiosity, and interest in the outside world continuously grew. He “loved to learn” and he would practice his writing and figuring whenever and wherever he could. Abe loved school but he did not get to go very often because he was needed at home to help with the chores.
When he was nine years old Abe’s mother died. A year later Mr. Lincoln married again; he brought home a comely widow who had three children of her own. She treated Abe and his sister with great affection and she let Abe read the books she owned. She also insisted that all the children go to school. When he was not in school working in the fields, cutting down trees, and splitting rails Abe yearned to learn and to read and finally, when he was nineteen, he decided that it was time to leave the wilderness to find a life which was better suited to his temperament.
This excellent picture book biography with its folkloric style paintings will give young readers a clear portrait of one of America’s most famous men. Children will come to appreciate how hard Abraham Lincoln had to struggle to find a place and a type of work that suited his quiet, thoughtful, book-loving, and peaceful personality.
At the back of the book the author includes an “Author’s Note” with further information about Abraham Lincoln’s life.
