Customer Reviews

Vinnie and Abraham

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
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This is a beautifully written book... and the illustrations are delightful for young people or adults. I must admit, Vinnie Ream is an ancestor... a cousin at best, and we have a lot of interest in knowing more about her. I have Grandchildren and I thought it wuld be fun to share this book with them. I have read to them or had several of them read the book themselves. They were delighted and the book stimulated some discussion about the topic. Adults have also looked at the book... with the immediate response "The Illustrations are beautiful!". Because it is really a childrens book, the detail is not great, but it does present a lovely picture of the era, perhaps a bit more glowing than deserved, but it makes it very readable.

What a wonderful childrens' book! Dawn Fitzgerald's telling of the story of Vinnie Ream is inspirational, the presence of Abe Lincoln is magical, the mix of artistic achievement, youthful determination, and living history is opulent, and Catherine Stock's illustrations enliven the story and make the book sparkle. To me this book is perfect proof of the power of a story for children about people who were real and who did great things.

One of my favorite literature genres is historical fiction/historical narratives. This book does a lovely job of telling the story of the girl who carved the statue of Abraham Lincoln that still stands in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. I remember seeing the statue for the first time as an eighth grader and being moved by it. It was interesting and enjoyable to read the story behind the statue. A great read aloud.