Abraham
By Jan Carr,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Powerful bio of Abraham Lincoln uses his own words.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
ABRAHAM opens with a list of Lincoln's major accomplishments, then reels back to his humble childhood. Born in a one-room, dirt-floor Kentucky cabin, he wore hand-spun clothing, ate wild game shot by his father, and went barefoot most of the year. Though he had less then a year of formal schooling, Lincoln loved to read and became a lawyer by determination and self-study. He married, started a family, and entered politics, taking a strong stance against slavery, the major issue of the day, and presided as president during the Civil War. "I was determined to secure freedom for others and to assure the union of our states." The book ends before his assassination, with the slaves freed and the Union intact.
Is It Any Good?
This biography of Abraham Lincoln is narrated in the first person as if by Lincoln himself, giving it an immediacy that makes the man and his story come alive for young readers. Author Frank Keating also adds authenticity by weaving in actual quotes. The text is strongest when dealing with Lincoln's childhood and humble roots, and becomes slightly less easy to follow when making more abstract arguments against slavery and for the preservation of the Union. Kids who are fuzzy on the Civil War may need additional information.
Mike Wimmer's rich oil paintings look like museum-quality period art, and play liberally with light -- from a lone cabin window or a lantern. Young Abe looks relatably human curled up reading a book by the warm flicker of the hearth, or padding barefoot down a path as sunlight filters through golden autumn leaves. Later pictures are more formal, with Lincoln as a statesman or in depicting a battle scene. A moving closing picture shows a medley of faces, soldiers in both blue uniforms and gray, with Harriet Tubman at the center, suggesting the uneasy divisions that continue to haunt the United States.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the use of first person narration in Abraham. Why do you think the author chose to use Abraham Lincoln's own voice to tell the story?
Why do you think the author included the passages in quotes, which are Lincoln's own words from the time? Do they fit with the rest of the text?
In the art at the end of the story, do you recognize another famous face from the history of that time? Why do you think the illustrator put her at the center? And why do you think he included people from both sides of the Civil War? What message does that send?
Book Details
- Author: Frank Keating
- Illustrator: Mike Wimmer
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, History
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
- Publication date: January 3, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 6 - 9
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 13, 2017
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate