Young Abe Lincoln [Hardcover]

Cheryl Harness (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Ten score years ago, a remarkable boy was born into a remarkable country. Young Abe Lincoln tells the story of that boy, who went on to play an historic role in the shaping of his country. Written and illustrated by Cheryl Harness, this classic picture biography is now being reissued with a bold new paperback cover to coincide with the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

With vibrant artwork and carefully crafted text, Young Abe Lincoln is an appealing, insightful biography of Lincoln’s early life. With fun illustrations and a chatty narrative style, Cheryl Harness brings to life the experiences that sparked Abe to seek public office, and vividly captures the spirit of the times.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 6^-9. This brief picture book traces the life of America's sixteenth president, from his Kentucky log-cabin origins through his early manhood in New Salem, Illinois. Harness describes Lincoln's early passion for school, his family's moves through three midwestern states, and the sadness surrounding the deaths of his mother (1818) and sister (1828). She also recounts Lincoln's early experiences as a boatman, postmaster, storekeeper, land surveyor, soldier, and wrestler. At the end of the book, Lincoln leaves New Salem for Springfield, Illinois, after finally finding his niche in law and politics. Full-color illustrations capture the spirit of life on the American frontier and include details that will fascinate young listeners. Several paintings include maps with captions highlighting events from the times that should help to clarify the Lincoln chronology. A good choice for primary-classroom read-alouds; a dust-jacket note indicates that a sequel is planned. Kay Weisman

From Kirkus Reviews

A folksy, genial biography, subtitled ``The Frontier Days, 18091837,'' this is an accessible if bland work. From his log-cabin birth and hardscrabble boyhood to his emergence as a politician, Abraham Lincoln is portrayed as a frontier Everyman, with ``shirttail a'flappin' '' and a love of learning. Not cut out for farming (though from an early age he ``swung his axe alongside the big boys''), sad-eyed Abe ``wanted to work with his mind.'' He contemplates ``the restless river of ideas'' as a flatboatman, joins a debating society, gets elected to the Illinois General Assembly, and sets out to be a lawyer in the new state capital. Harness (Papa's Christmas Gift, 1995, etc.) provides highly detailed, occasionally stiff illustrations, along with maps that reflect the land divisions of the times. Harness will cover more of Abe's life in a future book. (bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-10) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792227131
• ISBN-13: 978-0792227137
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 0.4 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,173,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Cheryl Harness makes her home in Independence, Missouri, the "Queen City of the Trails," a couple of blocks away from the big white house where Harry and Bess Truman used to live. She lives with Mimi (a black and white Shih Tsu)), and Merrie Emma (a cross-eyed scaredy-cat). As an author, illustrator, public speaker, and presenter in many an elementary school, Cheryl is known for her engaging, entertaining approach to history, her detailed watercolors, and the way she plays her harmonica.