Customer Reviews

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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I am a literacy coach in a K-4 school. I used this outstanding book for interactive shared reading lessons in grades 1 through 4, and all of the students enjoyed it very much! The text and illustrations are perfect for focusing on comprehension strategies including predicting, questioning, summarizing, interpretation of author's message, and reflection of most important event. The boys and girls enjoyed this tall tale and the engaging elements of humor that the author weaves into the story. The illustrations lend themselves well to discussion, too. This is a beautiful picture book that every elementary reading teacher should add to their collection! Thank you to the author Deborah Hopkinson and the illustrator John Hendrix for a job well-done!

This clever book takes place in Kentucky in the early nineteenth century. Even though the book is fictional it is a fun read. This enjoyable tale reminds us of Abraham Lincoln's roots in pioneer America. It's hard to believe Abe went from living in a little log cabin to living in the White House! The illustrations are superb and work well with the story.

Seriously, one of the most creative, imaginative children's books I have seen. Wonderful illustrations. I read it to my Kindergartener but soon found all my kids listening and laughing along with the story. One to add to your collection - just because it's so fun.

Thank you!

Abe and his friend Austin got into "more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store." They were just a couple of normal boys who liked to have a little adventure now and then without getting caught. In 1816 the boys lived in Kentucky near Knob Creek. Abe was busy hauling in some wood for his mother while his friend Benjamin Austin Gollaher, "Austin, for short," waited for him on a nearby rock. They were best friends and had a lot of fun together. Austin was three years older, but with boys you never can tell which one is the leader. Abe told Austin about some partridges he'd seen near the creek and they were off to find them. Of course they only wore their "long homespun shirts" just in case they got a little wet.

Nancy, Abe's mother, had warned them about the creek and there it was churning and splashing around the rocks. Abe was pointing toward the other side, while Austin crooked his finger and pensively held it up to his face. "I don't know, Abe. The water's darn high . . . and we can't swim." A little dare from Abe and off they went. Those mudcaked toes made their way across a log, first Austin and then Abe . . . no, it didn't go like that. They crawled across. Austin carefully pulled and pushed himself across the log until he made it to the other side. "YEE-HAW! WHOOOP! He made it. It was Abe's turn and all of a sudden he was "head over heel, and then . . . " What happened to Abe? Was he going to drown in the churning waters of Knob Creek?"

This was an unusual take on a story, a story that changes in the middle of the stream. The author and illustrator are telling their tall tale when all of a sudden they start over and change it a couple of times. "WHOA . . . hold on a minute." Then with the stroke of a pen and brush the story is changed. Everyone has heard of Abraham Lincoln, but few ever think of Austin Gollaher, his best friend. Austin unwittingly played a part in American history and I was very interested in the story. The art work was fun and complimented the tale perfectly. This book is a Vermont Red Clover nominee for the 2009-10 year and a Junior Library Guild Selection. This book is turning out to be a real SPLASH!