Customer Reviews

A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln (Picture Book Biography)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

My four year olds really liked this book and Adler's book on George Washington. We have looked at some of the other books in the series, and the subject matter in some others seems too old for preschoolers. My preschoolers were interested in the Lincoln and Washington books because they liked hearing about presidents and (because they are boys!) wars. But one caution about the Lincoln book: be prepared to talk about Lincoln getting shot (there's an illustration of this happening). Also, the book discusses slavery and depicts a slave auction. The pictures are as innocuous as possible, and my children were not upset, but you should plan in advance for how you are going to introduce this piece of history in an age appropriate way.

Perfect biography for first through fourth graders. Adorablecartoon pictures and packed with information.

I enjoyed this book as a tool for children in the primary grades especially. The content and illustrations are not thorough enough for older children but are perfect for students in the K-3 ages. The length of the book was appropriate but it seemed to sometimes drag on for a while. I especially liked the timeline at the end of the story which is typical in this specific series of books. The depiction of Abe Lincoln was just right for the intended audience and it allowed the readers to understand why he is such a hero in this country.

Don't bother to buy this book. David Adler merely collectsfacts about the life of Abraham Lincoln and connects them together. Alist of facts do not a story make! Lincoln was a fascinating man, with a sense of humor and a strong will and an honest character who seems to have truly cared for others. None of this comes out in Adler's books. Not even listed as facts in his boring way. I gave the book one star because the artist shouldn't be punished for illustrating the wrong book. But the people in the pictures are barely identifiable. Buy another biography, like Abraham Lincoln, which won a Caldicot award and has been around for decades. I doubt Adler's book will last that long.

I found this book to be very short and to the point. The illustrations are ok, some reviewers thought the depiction of Abraham was not realistic. I think the total summary of illustrations of the man are appropriate enough for primary graders that aren't going to know the difference anyway. Hopefully, if this book is used in the classroom, it will be supplemented by URL sites or pictures of the real Abraham Lincoln and places associated with him during his life. I agree with one reviewer in that this book might bring up topics too mature for children under 8 with pictures of a slavery auction and assasination. If you know what your answers will be to awkward questions that might come up from your students about these topics, I think this is a fine book to use to at least introduce them to this famous American President.

As others have pointed out, the book is not a story per se, but rather a combination of facts about Lincoln and the time in which he lived. That being said, several of the facts included in the book are inappropriate for early elementary-aged children. Slave auctions, Civil War, assassination, etc. Granted, these are significant aspects of Abe Lincoln's life, but there is no need to include passages like the one detailing Lincoln's assassination in a book geared towards 4-8 year olds. Additionally, the illustrations leave a lot to be desired. In several of the pictures, Lincoln looks like he's Chinese. You have perhaps the most iconic presidents and you can't even depict him in the correct manner. The assassination pages shows Booth pointing a pistol at the back of Lincoln's head. Seriously? The publisher thought this is what 5 year olds should be seeing/reading? Don't waste your money on this book.