Customer Reviews

Abe's Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln

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A wonderful overview of Abraham Lincoln's life. Seventeen pages of concise writing, each containing absolutely stunning illustrations, take you through Lincoln's childhood, early political years, presidency, and death. Lincoln's words are printed on every page, highlighting the important aspects of the story. This book can be used to introduce the presidency, slavery, Civil War, or civil rights. The Gettysburg Address is printed in the back, along with a list of important dates and a list of suggested further reading and internet sites.

I am a fourth and fifth grade teacher, and this book is an ideal read aloud for my Civil War Unit. I highly recommend this book - it is a wonderful story wrapped in a beautiful package.

Children are facinated with our presidents who were assasinated, and they really enjoy reading about Abraham Lincoln, the president who was instrumental in freeing the slaves.
This book has beautiful illustrations and is written really well. Add to this Lincoln's own words, and it becomes a 'must have'. I read this book aloud to 21 first graders and you could have heard a pin drop. They hung on every word. They were allowed to ask questions when finished, and these youngsters had many questions, ranging from inacuracies they had heard- to,"What happened to the man who killed Abraham Lincoln?" Great book!!

There are many many books being published honoring Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. This tale told is THE BEST of the best maybe because
of how brilliantly Lincoln's own words are incorporated into the story.
VERY well done! Illustrations by Kadir Nelson add brilliance as well.

This is an excellent children's book. Large, graphic illustrations with Lincoln's history and quotes on every page by Lincoln.

Our Abe Lincoln is a creative and imaginative look into the life of our 16th president. The author use one of Abe's campaign songs as a starting point for the picture book. The words of the song are set to the folk song The Old Grey Mare. Through the song, children are taken on a journey of Honest Abe's life.

The illustrations in the book are vivid and bright. The book will make learning history and fun and enjoyable experience.

Our children ages 4 and 5 loved this book and we read/sung it many times! Facts about Abe Lincoln will be in their heads for many years to come thanks to this book!

This is a beautifully written and beautifully illustrated book, with detailed, full-page illustrations throughout.

On nearly every page in this book, we see Lincoln's love of learning, industriousness, and commitment to principle. The focus is on Lincoln's recognition, gained from his early days carrying cargo on the Mississippi river, that slavery is wrong, and his life-long efforts leading to emancipation. In signing the emancipation proclamation, Lincoln's words are "I never, in my life, felt more certain that I was doing right, than I do in signing this paper. My whole soul is in it."

One of the most unique facets of this book is that nearly every page contains a stand-alone quote in Lincoln's own words. The quotes are well-chosen and aptly highlight the author's text. The quotes also contain lessons for readers of all ages -- such as Lincoln's advice that one should "Resolve to be honest at all events" and if you can't be an honest lawyer, choose some other professions in which you can be honest. And in response to attachks "I do the very best I know how -- the very best i can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end."

Notes from the author and illusrator instroducing the book show how much research and effort they put into getting this right. The author read and reread Lincoln's letters, nespaper interviews, and many speeches. The illustrator visited Lincoln's home in Springfield, Illinois and other places along Lincoln's journey.

The illustrations are breathtaking. The cover portrait is from a larger illustration within the book, highlighting words from the Gettysburg Address. Other recommended books by the author include Eleanor, Quiet No More and Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Other related books illustrated by Kadir Nelson include Coretta Scott and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom (Caldecott Honor Book).

Doreen Rappaport and Kadir Nelson have created another fantastic biography. Read my review at [...] and find teaching extensions to enhance the text.

We are in a golden age of children's book publishing. This high-quality book with rich, heavy pages, beautiful quotations, beautiful text, and stunning illustrations will blow you away.

Kadir Nelson's illustrations are outstanding. You may recognize his work from "Henry's Freedom Box" or "Moses" -- in fact, a few of these Lincoln illustrations follow his trademark sun-haloed style. His characters are detailed and personal and ALIVE. He is the perfect choice to illustrate this inspiring book.

This book is simple enough for younger readers, but the quotes and context make it interesting for much older kids. This one is good for all ages.

(The book is so *tremendously good* that it took me a few reading to even realize the text is in free verse. Question for publishers and authors: Can you not dispense with this overused literary style and show young people that paragraphs are not the Enemy? Please?)

Abe was an honest man. A hard working man and our country's best president. Doreen Rappaport writes about the life of Abraham Lincoln in picture book form using the often reverential language that is common in most of her stories. Of course Lincoln is a man to beat and quite an interesting man too. His words are moving even today and she makes good use of her subject. I use the book with my ESOL students as I teach the Civil War and the Lincoln Presidency. Very good book and recommended.

Themes: Honesty, perseverance/goal setting
Content areas: Language: using quotations in writing, synonyms. Social Science: Civil War, abolition of slavery.

At once, through the artful selection of Lincoln's own words, Doreen Rappaport provides insight into the core values of Lincoln's spirit and genius. From the loss of his mother, and growing up poor in the wilderness, to his tenacity to read and learn and question the world around him. Lincoln through his honest actions and words kept pushing himself to make a difference for good.

In addition, through succinct yet vivid descriptions of key events in Abe Lincoln's life, Rappaport reveals Lincoln's strength of character. Lincoln's own words are matched perfectly with the bold yet sensitive illustrations of Kadir Nelson. Nelson's unique use of perspective allows the reader to almost feel as if they are a part of each picture. Providing an immediacy and connection to Lincoln's life.

Not to be overlooked are the author and illustrator's notes at the front of the book; as well as excellent reference material provided at the back of the book. Reference materials include a timeline of important events, books and web sites for further information. Also provided is the eloquent Gettysburg Address in its entirety.