The old school teacher in me is showing through, but I just had the opportunity to review what I hope will become a welcomed addition to the small field of children's books related to the Lincoln assassination.

A member of this forum, brtmichl, has produced a great comic book on the subject. There have been a few other comic books done, but this one can serve as a textbook in classrooms also because it is very curriculum-based reader friendly. I say this because, as you turn the pages, the comic book scenario appears on the right-hand page with corresponding full text for that on the left-hand page. Smart teachers will recognize that the lower level students in reading will gravitate to the comic portion and get their history while upper level readers will take in the easy to read, well-condensed text on the left also.

brtmichl produced the drawings as well as the text. The drawings are colorful and geared towards images that attract kids' eyes. Likewise, the text is done in a font that is not standard and jumps out at you.

Teachers will also appreciate the fact that he has included a glossary of terms in the back. This is a standard requirement in most curriculum that I am familiar with. He has also included references to websites, books, and even travel sites to enhance the children's experiences.

I had two of my "youngsters" on staff peruse the book also because they give most of the school tours. They loved it. The only major suggestion we all made was to change the color on the front cover from black to something more eye-catching and to use a crazier font on the front cover's lettering.

Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, this book is very good - and grandparents on this forum should think Christmas presents, if they have grandchildren in the grades 4-7 range.

I hope that brtmichl will chime in with author's comments and purchasing details when the publication is ready. I know that the Surratt gift shop will be selling it. I also want him to encourage posting a trivia question here on one of the words in the glossary. He is the only other person that I know that realizes this particular word does really have a definition.

Laurie:
Will a book of that sort-or any book for that matter-have to be approved for use by a Board or some authority?

Sounds cool. (I admit I love comics if they're well done. And I recommend to let students draw comics to explain or summarize topics, the outcome is amazing.)

Bill - I am quite sure that it will have to be approved, but it could fall under the category of supplemental reading. Even one or two copies in a reading corner would be great. I have been out of the school system for so long that I don't know what the requirements are. If it could only pass the muster of the Texas system. I think they are still the largest purchaser of textbooks.

Eva - You are so right. I polished my love of history during grades 4-8 by reading the old Classic Comics series (and developed a terrible crush on Prince Valiant in the process!). As far as encouraging cartooning: During June and July, Surratt House sponsored an art competition for middle school and high school students based on the theme of What The Emancipation Proclamation Means To Me In 2013. We didn't get very many entries, but one of my favorites was a cartoon depiction of Union action figures breaking the chains of slaves and sending the the freed people to Mr. Lincoln. What made it even more special to me was the young artist's background. He is an 8th grader from Baltimore and a legal immigrant from Nigeria.

My favorite entry used the broken chain theme also, but surrounded it with drawings of graduating seniors (black, brown, Oriental, and white), athletes, entertainers, scientists, astronauts, etc. All with the same theme of equality among the races.

The winner was another 8th grader from a county about two hours away from Surratt House. She is an excellent artist and did a modern interpretation entitled Color Blind. She won a certificate and $250. Other entrants won a certificate and a $25 gift card for their efforts. We displayed all the entries in our Visitors' Center through the first weekend in August.

Laurie: that's what I thought. On a similar note, I used to give presentations in schools recreating the assassination of Lincoln. One of the props was a replica of the Booth pistol. I can't give the presentation anymore because of the depiction of shooting Lincoln. I'm not sure the comic book would pass the "P C crowd" up here in Michigan.

Isn't that a shame? Wonder how they explain the battles of the Civil War et. al that involved the killing of more than just one man? Does Michigan ban all television shows and movies that depict violence? Don't get me started on the PC issue - and I'm going to take my lunch in a brown bag if I want to...

In our schools, a child gets suspended for playing soldier on the playground during recess.

(08-09-2013 06:13 PM)LincolnMan Wrote:  In our schools, a child gets suspended for playing soldier on the playground during recess.

I'm sure such decisive action is bound to eradicate all the problems in the school system in no time. They should make the parents take counseling sessions too

Laurie, who determines what books or other items are sold in the Surratt book store?

(08-09-2013 05:39 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Bill - I am quite sure that it will have to be approved, but it could fall under the category of supplemental reading. Even one or two copies in a reading corner would be great. I have been out of the school system for so long that I don't know what the requirements are. If it could only pass the muster of the Texas system. I think they are still the largest purchaser of textbooks.

Eva - You are so right. I polished my love of history during grades 4-8 by reading the old Classic Comics series (and developed a terrible crush on Prince Valiant in the process!). As far as encouraging cartooning: During June and July, Surratt House sponsored an art competition for middle school and high school students based on the theme of What The Emancipation Proclamation Means To Me In 2013. We didn't get very many entries, but one of my favorites was a cartoon depiction of Union action figures breaking the chains of slaves and sending the the freed people to Mr. Lincoln. What made it even more special to me was the young artist's background. He is an 8th grader from Baltimore and a legal immigrant from Nigeria.

My favorite entry used the broken chain theme also, but surrounded it with drawings of graduating seniors (black, brown, Oriental, and white), athletes, entertainers, scientists, astronauts, etc. All with the same theme of equality among the races.

The winner was another 8th grader from a county about two hours away from Surratt House. She is an excellent artist and did a modern interpretation entitled Color Blind. She won a certificate and $250. Other entrants won a certificate and a $25 gift card for their efforts. We displayed all the entries in our Visitors' Center through the first weekend in August.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the great post Laurie. I agree with you, some of my fondest moments were reading comic books as a child. Traditional Superhero were fun but I loved the classics like Treasure Island and Moby *****. This really sparked my love for reading.

Your art contest sounds incredible. I was just reading about it on your website and then you mention it in your post. Some of these works sound amazing. The topic of the Emancipation depicted in art is fascinating, there comes to mind any number of awe inspiring images. I would love to see them. What a great contest to get kids involved with history and seeing on the canvas their interpretation. Have you ever posted any pictures of the winners and/or the contestant pieces?

Laurie, I remember those old Classic's Illustrated Comic books. Every now and then I will order one off of E-bay for the sake of nostalgia. Here is one that might be of interest to people on this forum.

Craig: I've got two copies of that issue-both is pretty good shape.

brtmichl - We do have photos of each of the entries, and I will post them when I get back to the office. We don't have photos of the children with them for two reasons: Most of them have not yet come to pick up their artwork and their prizes, AND we hesitate to post children's photos (and especially names) because of the safety and liability issues in this world of ours. The government agency which owns us requires signed releases by their parents. Sad world, isn't it?

(08-09-2013 10:49 PM)brtmchl Wrote:  Your art contest sounds incredible. I was just reading about it on your website and then you mention it in your post. Some of these works sound amazing. The topic of the Emancipation depicted in art is fascinating, there comes to mind any number of awe inspiring images. I would love to see them. What a great contest to get kids involved with history and seeing on the canvas their interpretation. Have you ever posted any pictures of the winners and/or the contestant pieces?

Many thanks to Laurie for sending this picture. She writes, "I mentioned the art competition at Surratt House with the theme of What The Emancipation Proclamation Means To Me In 2013. Here is a photo of the entries. The winning entry was entitled Colorblind."

This sounds great. I used to review children's books for our local newspapers, and there were never enough history or role model books.

(08-09-2013 11:14 AM)L Verge Wrote:  I had two of my "youngsters" on staff peruse the book also because they give most of the school tours. They loved it. The only major suggestion we all made was to change the color on the front cover from black to something more eye-catching and to use a crazier font on the front cover's lettering.

I just had the pleasure today, of working through email with two truly charming and intelligent Southern ladies. It's not everyday that a "Rookie", a Northern Rookie at that, gets two highly respected historians to help him with a project. Laurie Verge, and Betty O took it upon themselves to help me create a more interesting and eye catching cover for my book. It is also not everyday that people receive such a random act of kindness. I am truly grateful. Roger, you have put together a wonderful site. Not only are these members extremley knowledgable and enthusiastic about history, but they are amazing people.
Thank you ladies.

If anyone would like to see the difference, here is a peek.