Children's Books

[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