Overview
At last! A book about Lincoln for K-1-- by an award-winning and bestselling author and artist team!Wise Abe Lincoln said, "No More!" to slavery,
"No More!" to slavery,
"No More!" to slavery,
Wise Abe Lincoln said, "No More!" to slavery,
Many brave days ago.
This simple song, sung to the tune of "The Old Grey Mare," was adapted from an actual campaign song for Lincoln during his run for the presidency.
Synopsis
Wise Abe Lincoln said, "No More!" to slavery,
"No More!" to slavery,
"No More!" to slavery,
Wise Abe Lincoln said, "No More!" to slavery,
Many brave days ago.
This simple song, sung to the tune of "The Old Grey Mare," was adapted from an actual campaign song for Lincoln during his run for the presidency.
Beginning with "Babe Abe Lincoln was born in the wilderness" to "Strong Abe Lincoln fell oaks with a mighty ax" to "Great Abe Lincoln died hard for his noble deeds"--here is a perfect book for Lincoln's birthday that tells the story of Lincoln to the very youngest audience.
Barbara McClintock's charming 19th century-styled drawings depict children in a school play, acting out Lincoln's life. With art reminiscent of Maurice Sendak, and as a three-time New York Times Best Illustrator, McClintock is sure to garner awards and recognition. And Jim Aylesworth's ear for rhythms and rhymes will have everyone singing OUT LOUD!
Publishers Weekly
Proving once again that they are a match made in picture-book heaven, Aylesworth and McClintock (previously paired for The Gingerbread Man) turn out a biography of Lincoln virtually guaranteed to hook readers. Adapted from a song popular during Lincoln's presidential campaigns, its verses can be sung to the tune of "The Old Grey Mare," and tell of iconic or seminal moments in Lincoln's life: "Smart Abe Lincoln read late by the firelight/ Late by the firelight/ Late by the firelight/ Smart Abe Lincoln read late by the firelight/ Many dark nights ago." McClintock brings in the storytelling magic: she shows costumed children on one side of a curtain in a school auditorium, an eager audience waiting on the other. As usual, her attention to detail rewards those who look closely: one of the actors pokes her face out from beneath the curtain, adults get ready to tie the beard on the actor playing Abe, and the expression on the boy playing the raccoon is not to be missed. Endnotes amplify each verse with relevant facts. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Editorials
Publishers Weekly
Proving once again that they are a match made in picture-book heaven, Aylesworth and McClintock (previously paired for The Gingerbread Man) turn out a biography of Lincoln virtually guaranteed to hook readers. Adapted from a song popular during Lincoln's presidential campaigns, its verses can be sung to the tune of "The Old Grey Mare," and tell of iconic or seminal moments in Lincoln's life: "Smart Abe Lincoln read late by the firelight/ Late by the firelight/ Late by the firelight/ Smart Abe Lincoln read late by the firelight/ Many dark nights ago." McClintock brings in the storytelling magic: she shows costumed children on one side of a curtain in a school auditorium, an eager audience waiting on the other. As usual, her attention to detail rewards those who look closely: one of the actors pokes her face out from beneath the curtain, adults get ready to tie the beard on the actor playing Abe, and the expression on the boy playing the raccoon is not to be missed. Endnotes amplify each verse with relevant facts. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Children's Literature -
Our Abe Lincoln is a story told in song based on a campaign ditty during Lincoln's run for the presidency. It is set to the tune of a well-known folksong "The Old Gray Mare," and the words and music of this version are printed on the endpapers. The setting is a primary school where kids are putting on a play to celebrate one of America's greatest presidents. Most of us know that he was born in a log cabin, but I did not realize just how poor the family was. Abe worked hard and was a strong man, but he did not have much formal schooling. That did not stop him from being a smart and well-read man. He had a great thirst for learning and borrowed and read whatever he could by the light of the hearth fire. The story does not talk about his career as a lawyer, but it does tell of his honesty, rise to the presidency of the United States and his stand against slavery. The Civil War is not mentioned but there is a reference to the Gettysburg Address and then his death but again no mention of the fact that he was assassinated. There are too many holes in the story, however; without further explanation from adults, at the end of the book kids will still not know why Lincoln was a great leader, why he was against slavery and why he is still celebrated as one of the truly great presidents. Reviewer: Marilyn CourtotSchool Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3
With a fresh approach to Lincoln that is both delightful and accurate, Aylesworth sets history to the tune of "The Old Gray Mare" and the derivative song "Our Abe Lincoln Came Out of the Wilderness," which was popular during the 16th president's campaign. Lincoln's life is depicted in the singsong verse through the framing devise of students performing a grade-school play. For example, "Strong Abe Lincoln fell oaks with a mighty axe/Oaks with a mighty axe/Oaks with a mighty axe/Strong Abe Lincoln fell oaks with a mighty axe/Many split rails ago." McClintock captures the exuberance with charming visuals that outline significant aspects of the leader's life and lore. Scenes rendered in watercolor and pen and ink feature a multicultural cast. Details such as pegs on their cabin wall demonstrate the careful research that informed the illustrations. A short paragraph at the end explains each scene. As an introduction for young children, this is a perfect resource, for the engaging images and catchy phrasing as well as for the larger story that it so deftly summarizes.-Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library