Children's Books

[Gene C]

A Child's History Of the Life Of Abraham Lincoln - Told In One Syllable Words, by Harriet Putnam

Originally published in 1905. Several re-published editions, mine is a hardcover from 1999 by Mantle Ministries (and a good quality reprint)
About 140 pages with several nice illustrations.

Ms. Putnam wrote several children's book. I was unable to find out anything about her online. This was written as a series of similar books for early readers. Actually they are not all one syllable words. Words of more than one syllable are hyphenated. For example, Abraham Lincoln is A-bra-ham Lin-coln and
Pennsylvania is Penn-syl-va-ni-a.

There are a few questionable statements in the book. Thomas Lincoln is said to be a poor provider. Consider you have two adults and several hungry teenagers for a total of 9 people (more on occasion), you can imagine what the grocery bill would be today.
In the book, Nancy passes away before her aunt and uncle, the Sparrows, who all died of the milk sickness. In reality, she was trying to care for them when they died. Also the book has Abraham Lincoln writing the Gettysburg address on scraps of paper while riding on the train. No mention of Ann Rutledge, the Civil War years are covered well, but little about the family life.

An unusual detail, Mrs. Putnam uses the word "score" frequently when referring to periods of time.

It is available on line at
https://archive.org/stream/lifeofabraham...5/mode/2up

Because there are so many different editions of this book, prices vary considerably, this is the one I purchased (in very good condition for $7.55)
https://www.amazon.com/Childs-History-Ab...am+lincoln

Not to be confused with "The Children's Life of Abraham Lincoln" by M. Louise Putnam and published 1892. It is a much longer book and for a little older age group.

[Gene C]

Me and Willie and Pa
The Story of Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad, by F N Monjo
Illustrations by Douglas Gordine. Written in 1973, 90 pages.
Several illustrations, mostly sketches of old photographs.

The story of the White House years as told by Tad. It's interesting to see things from his perspective. The Civil War was a difficult time for a 10 year old to be growing up inside the White House. With the death of Willie, everything changes for Tad, and for his parents. You see the efforts Abraham and Mary go to in trying to meet the needs of a growing little boy. The author balances the sadness in Tad's life with the fun of a young boy growing up in the White House with lenient parents.
"I can't tell you about all the killing and all the battles there were in this war. It went on for four long, horrible years, and hundreds of thousands of young fellows died - just like Elmer Ellsworth. All I can do is tell you some of the things I remember best. And don't blame me if they're not all jokes. I told you, most of it's sad."

I would not recommend this book for children under the age of 10.
It's a sad chapter in history, a challenging subject to address for children.
The author deals with it in a straightforward manner.
Tad's love for his father, and his father's love for him, is the central theme of the book.
While not specifically said, this is what helps Tad deal with the sadness around him.

Several humorous stories told, funny events, quotes from Tad's father, but mostly the deep love shared between Abraham and Tad.
"After Willie died, I couldn't sleep so good, Me and Willie, we used to sleep together. Pa told me anytime I couldn't get to sleep, I could come to his room. Sometimes I'd slip down the corridor, past the sentry on duty there, and crawl into bed with Pa."

Tad says this about his behavior,
"I know Bob thought Pa spoiled me rotten. You can bet Mrs. Keckley thought so too. But half the time when I was bad, I just did what I did to help keep Pa from looking so sad - thinking about Willie - and the war."

There was this interesting comment about going to the beach.
"Sea bathing is lots of fun for boys, but I don't know how ladies stand it. We boys just got into our suits and went on in to the water. But the ladies had to get all dressed up from head to foot in long wool bathing dresses and caps, and then they had to sit down inside of the bathhouses on wheels - they called them 'bathing machines' - and then the whole bathhouse, with them inside, was lowered down the beach, on tracks, with a windlass! And when the whole bathhouse was lowered into the water, the ladies would get out, and kind of slosh around some. Now, I don't call that fun!"

Other important events are mentioned, children will get a brief history of the events of the war, things Tad probably saw and heard, all from his perspective.
The story covers the White House years ending with the assassination. At the end of the story is a four page, About This Story, section, mainly for adults. It contains background and follow up information.
"Willie and Tad spent one very happy year in the White House, but after Willies death Tad's life was naturally much sadder than it had been before. The lonely little boy was a very bad student, read poorly, could scarcely write, and spoke with a pronounced lisp or speech defect. His mother, and especially his father, spoiled him unashamedly - probably because Willie was no longer there.
After his father's death, Tad's life grew still more somber. His widowed mother, who had grown increasingly unsound mentally, imagined herself to be in deep financial difficulties. .. "
This story of course, does not include these later, unhappy events, but confines itself to the four years (1861-1865) when Lincoln and his family were living in the Whie House - or Executive Mansion, as it was then termed. It is written as if Tad had written it and recorded it all. While he might have seen and heard nearly everything told here, he actually left no written record of his life in the White House with his unforgettable Pa.

I think the story is probably as much for adults as it is for children.
Avaialble from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Me-Willie-Pa-Abra...lie+and+pa

[RJNorton]

Thanks, Gene. When I saw the words 'bathing machines' mentioned I was reminded of some posts in the thread here.

[Susan Higginbotham]

Great review! I'll have to get this one.

[Gene C]

Gettysburg - Tad Lincoln's Story, by F N Monjo
Illustrations by Douglas Gorsline. Written in 1976, with 45 pages.
Several illustrations of photographs, and composites of old photographs.

The quality of the illustrations appears to me to be better than the previous book. In the two illustrations of Stanton, he has a much softer, less harsh expression.

The book is Tad's telling of the events of Gettysburg, as seen from his perspective. The details of the battle are not given, except he does describe Pickett's charge and General Lee personally taking the blame for its failure. Tad does describe his father's disappointment in Meade not capturing Lee's army when he had the chance.

The premise of the books are interesting, it's as if Tad was there telling you about what happened. He says this about his father,
"I told Pa he must hate the Rebels a whole lot, for tying to bust this country apart. But Pa surprised me. He told me he didn't really hate 'em. It wasn't as simple as all that, he said. Because, he told me, he thought he might have turned out a Rebel himself, if he'd happen to live down there in the south.
It made me think a lot different about the war, when Pa said that. Made it a lot harder to understand, too. But it showed me that beating the South wasn't the big thing. Having one country back. whole, in one peace, is all that matters."

The book does not glamorize battle or romanticize the war. Nor does he avoid describing some of the horrors of battle. The following passage is why I do not suggest this book for grade school age children.
"Their was something else that I heard at the telegraph office, that I wish I hadn't. It was about all the suffering. If a soldier gets hit in the leg or the arm, most likely the bullet smashes up the bone so bad that gangrene will set in, unless the doctors amputate.
That means there were piles and piles of arms and legs stacked up beside the hospital tents at Gettysburg after the battle. And the soldiers had nothing to deaden the pain while their arms and legs were being cut off.
It was even worse for the Rebels. Their wounded had to jounce and jostle in those horrible wagons, day after day, riding through the rain.
I heard the men in the telegraph office say that they'd heard some of the soldiers were begging to be left behind, to die, so that they wouldn't have to suffer in those wagons anymore....
And it gave me terrible bad dreams to think about it."

There were also two illustrations of old photographs of dead soldiers on the battlefield.

The book ends with President Lincoln going to Gettysburg, giving his address (recorded in full) and a few closing comments by Tad.

Well written, but it is not a book I would have wanted my boys to read before they were in middle school.

https://www.amazon.com/Gettysburg-Lincol...=f+n+monjo

[Gene C]

Tad Lincoln - Mischief Maker In The White House
by John D Weaver

Written in 1963 with about 140 pages. Illustrations are plain, black and white drawings, intended audience seems to be older grade school.

Interesting book covering mainly the White House years. As with most of the books about Tad, it is as much about his father as it is about Tad, and ends when President Lincoln dies. Many of the stories come from the book Tad Lincoln's Father by Julia Taft Bayne. The book repeats the theme of other books about Tad, the closeness with his father, the enjoyment his father gets from his mischievous behavior, and Tad's compassionate nature. This is emphasized over the personal tragedies that occurred around him. Not much about his interaction with his mother. One of the better books about Tad.

It's a nice children's book. The civil war is mentioned, but not in detail, and with minimal comment about the horrors of war.
I found it interesting. One common thread I have seen in these books about Tad seems to come through without the authors strong emphasis on it. It is mentioned, but usually not a leading thought or theme.
Lincoln needs the close relationship with his son as much as Tad needs it with his father.

The Amazon web site ...
https://www.amazon.com/Tad-Lincoln-misch...dpSrc=srch

[Gene C]

Lincoln - by Lucy Foster Madison

Copyright 1928, with 368 pages. A large book with heavier than usual pages, fairly large print, easy to read.
For older children to adults. Few illustrations. Most of the book covers his pre-presidency years with only 30 pages covering his time in the White House. The book focuses on Lincoln's character; hard work, determination to improve himself, honesty, and consideration of others over self.

As an older, larger biography of Lincoln that appears to be intended for young adult to adult readers, this is a nice, affordable book to have.

Lucy Madison was a popular writer of popular stories for girls - Peggy Owens series,
https://archive.org/details/peggyowenpatriot36740gut
and other stories for girls, in the early 1900's.

Available on Internet Archive - https://archive.org/details/lincoln00madi

I purchased a very nice copy on Amazon for only $9, https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Lucy-Fost...er+madison
* Note - the reviews for the book on Amazon seem to be of David Herbert Donald's biography of Lincoln and not Mrs. Madison's
My copy had a nice inscription - "To Craig Weaver from Margueritte and Eare Jr, Christmas 1937"

[Eva Elisabeth]

(06-06-2018 06:35 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Thanks, Gene. When I saw the words 'bathing machines' mentioned I was reminded of some posts in the thread here.

I took this photo this past summer - lately restored bathing machines have become popular to store life guard and first aid equipment.
   

[Gene C]

Fido - Dog Diaries #13 by Kate Klimo
copyright 2018 with 147 pages

Disappointing.

Fido is not portrayed as a very smart dog. He is less aware of what is going on than the other dogs he associates with, especially in current and political events.
Mrs. Lincoln doesn't care for him, he refers to her as Little Missy.
Mrs. Lincoln makes this comment about Fido, "Don't mind Fido. He thinks he's a fierce watchdog, but he's really a bit of a coward". He doesn't dispute this. Other than these comments, Fido doesn't seem to be much different than any other dog.
There doesn't seem to be much that is special about him.
I would prefer in a children's book for the main character to show some stronger personality traits and virtues.
There are some attempts at humor, but they were weak. Not much action in a 147 page book.
A nice idea for a story, but this one did not hold our interest.

https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Diaries-13-Ka...-1-catcorr

Gene and I don't recommend this one.
- Fido -

[Thomas Kearney]

(03-17-2019 02:18 PM)Gene C Wrote:  Fido - Dog Diaries #13 by Kate Klimo
copyright 2018 with 147 pages

Disappointing.

Fido is not portrayed as a very smart dog. He is less aware of what is going on than the other dogs he associates with, especially in current and political events.
Mrs. Lincoln doesn't care for him, he refers to her as Little Missy.
Mrs. Lincoln makes this comment about Fido, "Don't mind Fido. He thinks he's a fierce watchdog, but he's really a bit of a coward". He doesn't dispute this. Other than these comments, Fido doesn't seem to be much different than any other dog.
There doesn't seem to be much that is special about him.
I would prefer in a children's book for the main character to show some stronger personality traits and virtues.
There are some attempts at humor, but they were weak. Not much action in a 147 page book.
A nice idea for a story, but this one did not hold our interest.

https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Diaries-13-Ka...-1-catcorr

Gene and I don't recommend this one.
- Fido -

There's even a book on FDR's dog Fala, Sargent Stubby from WWI, and George Washington's dog Sweetlips.

https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Diaries-8-Kat...5S5WBEKAH5

[Steve]

This book series with outside dog narrators looks like it might be a wonderful idea to teach my young nephew about history. Though, Fido (and Gene's) review gives me pause.

[LincolnMan]

Too bad...It’s a great premise. Thanks Gene.

[RJNorton]

"While Lincoln was in the barber shop, Fido would sit outside with other pets and discuss dog matters"

http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/abr...olns-fido/

I disagree with Kate Klimo's analysis. It sounds to me that Fido fit right in with the dog discussions and was not inferior to the other dogs.

[Gene C]

Abe Lincoln Grows Up by Carl Sandburg

This book is made from the first twenty seven chapters of the original two volume biography of Abraham Lincoln written by Sandburg in 1926.

This book was published in 1955, has 222 pages, with several imaginative illustrations by Jack Daugherty.
For older children, but all ages will enjoy reading it. Sanburg's poetical writing style shines through, it's a little different than we are used to today. This is one of the things that makes it memorable, and sets it apart from other books about Lincoln. His writing helps carry your imagination away, you can see Abraham working in the farm fields, reading in front of the fireplace, splitting logs for a fence. Covers the time period from Lincoln's grandfather moving to Kentucky to Lincoln leaving home when he is 21. There is a lot of interesting background material that helps make the story come alive.

I found the chapter about the religious community where Abraham lived as a boy very interesting. You see the influence of his community church and his home bible learning have on his entire life. Sandburg tells you as much about the way of life and environment Lincoln grew up in as he does the specific events and experiences Lincoln had. Combined together, you see the factors that helped make Lincoln a great man. You will learn how Lincoln came to have an interest in the law when he was in his late teens.

I would consider this one of the classic books on Lincoln's early life.
Dave Grimm found this for me when he was at a library book sale.

https://www.amazon.com/Abe-Lincoln-Grows...6-fkmrnull

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thank you as always for an insightful review, Gene. This one sounds good - I do not recall reading much (actually at all) on the influence of his community church on him in his youth - is that fictional?