What Lincoln Said [Hardcover]

Sarah L. Thomson (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: December 23, 2008 | Age Range: 6 - 9 years | Lexile Measure: 670L (What's this?)

The story of one of Ameri a's most revered presidents—in his own words!

"I could scarcely believe my eyes. By honest work I had earned a dollar." Abraham Lincoln resolved always to work hard and be honest. With much perseverance, he became a lawyer and a politician.

"Just think of such a one as me as president!" he laughed when his wife said he could lead the country.

But Lincoln had great changes he wanted to make. He campaigned, saying, "If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong," and he won the election in 1860.

Award-winning author Sarah L. Thomson deftly integrates Abraham Lincoln's famous words into the narrative, revealing the inspiration and determination that led to his greatest achievements. Renowned illustrator James E. Ransome has created striking paintings that illuminate Lincoln's enthusiasms and passions from childhood through his adult life.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3—By using Lincoln's own words, Thomson builds a portrait that relates his statements to significant events in his life. From commenting on making his first dollar ("The world seemed wider and fairer before me.") to working hard, his attitude toward slavery ("If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong.") to his reaction to war, and finally to signing the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln's character and times are revealed. Short descriptions of the circumstances and a related quote are set on bold, colorful spreads. Ransome delivers a larger-than-life portrait of this homely president with acrylic, almost cartoonlike paintings. Lincoln kneels on a map, trying to hold the Union together, reaches out to angry Southerners saying, "We are not enemies, but friends," and frets over the war. His awkward size, dedication to his cause, and serious side all come across. An engaging overview, this is a worthy introduction to this famous president.—Janet S. Thompson, Chicago Public Library
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From Booklist

Direct quotes from Lincoln enliven the concise text in this picture-book biography of the sixteenth president of the U.S. Thomson follows Lincoln from his Illinois boyhood to the moment he signed the Emancipation Proclamation. With admirable simplicity, Thomson distills the historical facts into short, smoothly paced sentences that present the issues for a very young audience. Thomson defines the term slave, for example, as “human beings treated like animals: forced to work, bought and sold, chained, beaten.” In his illustrator’s note, Ransome acknowledges that he “elongated or exaggerated” body parts “to elaborate the text,” and his brightly colored, acrylic portraits certainly veer into caricature. In an opening page, for example, a young Lincoln is portrayed as a wide-eyed, grinning goofball; in other spreads, his outsize ears dominate the image. The effects are mixed, but at their best, the pictures humanize their subject, and elementary teachers will appreciate this brief overview of Lincoln’s accomplishments, which are further explored in a time line and an author’s note. One glaring omission: there are no sources given for Lincoln’s quotes. Grades K-3. --Gillian Engberg --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Collins (December 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060848197
• ISBN-13: 978-0060848194
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,073,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sarah L. Thomson is the author of Stars and Stripes: The Story of the American Flag, a Nebraska Golden Sower Award finalist; all the Wildlife Conservation Society I Can Read Books, including Amazing Tigers!, winner of an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award; and What Lincoln Said, written with "admirable simplicity" (ALA Booklist). Sarah lives in Portland, Maine.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Abe's Journey February 19, 2009

By English Teacher

Format:Hardcover

This book deserves 5 stars for the illustrations alone. James Ransome does a beautiful job at depicting Lincoln, his family, and society. The interesting part of this story is that the tale weaves quotes in and out of the text spoken by Lincoln himself. Just about every page has a highlighted portion that emphasizes Lincoln's personal thoughts. Also, the timeline at the end of the story is a wonderful resource.