2013-11-20
Our 16th president is presented as an activist for human and civil rights. Lincoln resembles a doll with an oversized head as he strides through a first-person narrative that stretches the limits of credulity and usefulness. From childhood, Abe, bearded and sporting a stovepipe hat, loves to read, write and look out for animals. He stands up to bullies, noting that "the hardest fights don't reveal a winner--but they do reveal character." He sees slaves, and the sight haunts him. When the Civil War begins, he calls it a struggle to end slavery. Not accurate. The text further calls the Gettysburg ceremonies a "big event" designed to "reenergize" Union supporters and states that the Emancipation Proclamation "freed all those people." Not accurate. The account concludes with a homily to "speak louder then you've ever spoken before," as Lincoln holds the Proclamation in his hands. Eliopoulos' comic-style digital art uses speech bubbles for conversational asides. A double-page spread depicts Lincoln, Confederate soldiers, Union soldiers, white folk and African-American folk walking arm in arm: an anachronistic reference to civil rights–era protest marches? An unsourced quotation from Lincoln may not actually be Lincoln's words. Successful neither as biography nor sermon. (photographs, archival illustration) (Picture book. 4-7)
What books are you reading to celebrate President’s Day?
With the recent publication of Pete Souza’s inspiring new book, Dream Big Dreams, presidential picture books are gracing many a bookshelf, just in time for President’s Day, which gives young readers have an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of our nation’s past and current presidents. These nonfiction picture books showcase many, and in some cases […]