Children's Books

[Gene C]

In response to Eva's question from 'Abe Lincoln Laughing', which is repeated here

"Amazing. Honestly as for German children's books of that century I cannot think of anything but the Brothers Grimms' tales, the "Struwwelpeter" (1844), and "Max and Moritz" (1865) and other Bush tales. Definitely no bios. All have in common that they intended to teach about good and bad and that the good finally will get rewarded while all things bad will lead to suffer Hell. All are pretty brutal from nowadays' point of view, the idea once even came up to prohibit exposing kids to that old traditional literature.

What about the old Lincoln children's books? (I wouldn't expect them to be brutal, but what about educational goals? What features where emphasized?) "

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Honesty and perseverance seem to be two of the most frequently mentioned personal characteristics of Lincoln mentioned.
An example of this is the following popular book from the 1880's. While not necessarily just a children's book, a common theme in many of the early biographies was rising above one's difficulties and adversity, as the following author did in, "The Backwoods Boy" by Horatio Alger.

From his preface,
"I venture to say that among our public men
there is not one whose life can be studied with
more interest and profit by American youth than
that of Abraham Lincoln. It is not alone that,
born in an humble cabin, he reached the highest
position accessible to an American, but especially
because in every position which he was called
upon to fill, he did his duty as he understood it,
and freely sacrificed personal ease and comfort in
the service of the humblest."

https://archive.org/stream/backwoodsboyo...5/mode/2up

[Eva Elisabeth]

Thanks, Gene - honesty seems a "timeless" character feature to me to be praised!

[Gene C]

The President's Puppy, by Linda Oatman High, about 45 pages.

This is a Hello Reader book for grades 2 & 3, regardless of that, it's a fun book.
A nice biography, it recounts the life story of Fido, a gentle, yellow dog who loved, and was loved, by Abraham Lincoln and his family.
It has become one of my favorites and it's the perfect book to read on a rainy afternoon with your best friend, and a bowl of popcorn.
Nice illustrations too.

https://www.amazon.com/Presidents-Puppy-...ents+puppy

Fido

[Thomas Kearney]

Fido, to help me get over my fear of the Lincoln statue in Kindergarten, my parents got me this read. I hope my kids will read it someday.

https://www.amazon.com/Abe-Lincolns-Step...0679849777

When we did Magic Squares in Math my Junior year, this book came back to me:

https://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Magic-Sq...9J94FKBYN2

I picked up one of my favorite presidential trivia bits from this book in 1st Grade:

https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-Clark-Prair...9K502EGW0Q

I am proud of my Maryland heritage. That reminds me of some books:

https://www.amazon.com/Francis-Scott-Sta...9K502EGW0Q
https://www.amazon.com/Escape-North-Harr...9K502EGW0Q

And this book got me into the Titanic:

https://www.amazon.com/Titanic-Lost-Foun...TXHAEFMK0B

Thanks for letting me reminisce my childhood.

---

And if Chelsea Clinton is my opponent in the 2032 Presidential race, I got the fact she had her picture taken asleep in church from this book and plan to use it as a campaign ad for Kearney 4 America:

https://www.amazon.com/First-Kids-Step-i...first+kids

Do you want a president who falls asleep in church, I don't think so. Thomas Kearney has never fallen asleep in church, neither should you. Falling asleep in Church would make George Washington turn over in his tomb. Thomas Kearney will create more American jobs, eliminate terrorism, and much much more.

I'm Thomas Kearney, candidate for President, and I approve this message.

[Thomas Kearney]

I laughed when Struwwelpeter was parodied in Family Guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiYcq_vxQt4

[Eva Elisabeth]

(04-18-2017 06:27 AM)Gene C Wrote:  The President's Puppy, by Linda Oatman High, about 45 pages.

This is a Hello Reader book for grades 2 & 3, regardless of that, it's a fun book.
A nice biography, it recounts the life story of Fido, a gentle, yellow dog who loved, and was loved, by Abraham Lincoln and his family.
It has become one of my favorites and it's the perfect book to read on a rainy afternoon with your best friend, and a bowl of popcorn.
Nice illustrations too.

https://www.amazon.com/Presidents-Puppy-...ents+puppy

Fido

I'd certainly love it.

[Gene C]

Meet Abraham Lincoln by Barbara Cary, 86 pages

There are a few different books with this title by different authors, and at least two different editions of this book by the same author.
It seems the later softcover, Landmark edition of 2001 has the same text, but is missing or has different illustrations than the earlier, hard cover copy of 1965, in the Step Up Books series. Both have the same publisher, and seem to have the same number of pages. My review is for the earlier edition of 1965. I purchased my copy at a used book store for $4.

Suitable for children in Grades 2- 6, or a little older. A good overall biography, but Lincoln's virtues are only lightly touched on. The illustrations are interesting and by Jack Davis. The reviews on Amazon are also good, and they are of the more recent Landmark edition.

https://www.amazon.com/Abraham-Lincoln-F...am+lincoln

Here are a few illustrations from the book

Thanks Roger for posting the illustrations for me

[Gene C]

Peeps at Abraham Lincoln by Max Vivier, short book of 31 pages. Copyright 1932

From the forward

"Abraham Lincoln has given us a perfect example of the selfmade
man and the story of his life should prove very inspiring to
all young people, for Abraham Lincoln was a real leader.
It is the story of a life of hard beginnings, of constant and honest
work and of success and achievement; a life dominated by one great
love, which made him accept responsibilities and face sacrifices: the
love of a man for his country."

I can not find anything about the author other than he did a similar book about George Washington
The book has a few errors in it, some of the words seem a bit big for young readers.
Written at a time when it was important to show Lincoln's virtues', not just tell a cute little story.
Emphasizes the qualities of hard work, learning, honesty, and love for one's country - patriotism.

*** What really makes this little book interesting are the illustrations. ***

https://archive.org/details/peepsatabrahamli00vivi

[brtmchl]

Looks great! Love the illustrations. Thank you for sharing.

[LincolnMan]

Always enjoy the illustrations!

[Gene C]

Dell Comics - Abraham Lincoln Life Story

Very nice, 100 page comic book from 1958.
Story line is good considering the limited space in the cartoon panel
On Internet Archives

https://archive.org/details/AbrahamLincolnLifeStory

A reprinted version is also available from Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Classic-One-Shots...Life+Story

[Thomas Kearney]

I remember this from the comic book presentation at the Surratt Conference Scott did

[Gene C]

The Death Of Lincoln a Picture History of the Assassination by Leroy Hayman

Published by Scholastic Books, copyright 1968 and reissued in 1990. Over 50 photo's and drawings, book has about 115 pages. It is a good introduction to the Lincoln Assassination, suited for ages over 10 - adult.

It's not perfect - on page 30, Stanton refuses Lincoln's request for Thomas Eckert to accompany the President to the theater.
"In fact, Stanton strongly advised that Mr. Lincoln himself not go to the theatre that night. At last, however, Stanton assigned a War Department attache, Major Henry Reed Rathbone to the task.
(I don't recall reading that before)

Regarding Booth's skill as an actor, page 38 -
"Vowing, 'I must have fame!' his ambition soared beyond his ability. He always confused acting with athletics, substituting leaps and gestures for a real interpretation of the role. Always he was long on action, short on thinking. Yet, in his brief career on the stage he gathered a considerable following."
(I can accept that)

Then there is this statement also on page 38
"At first, Booth was loyal to the Union cause. In December 1859, sixteen months before the war began, Booth was serving with a militia movement, the Richmond Grays. He was one of the guard officiating at the hanging of abolitionist John Brown at Charles Town Virginia."

And this comment about Booth's entry in his diary, page 94 -
"For Booth was absolutely convinced that he was right in slaying Mr. Lincoln. He was certain sure he had acted in the South's best interest - whether Southerners knew it or not. And he pitied himself for the South's ingratitude."

I thought he summed up Booth's actions quite well with this statement on page 101 -
"In a sense Booth died as he had lived. His life had been in the make-believe life of the theatre. His crime was agonizingly real, but he planned for it as an actor would in preparing a role for the stage. And his dying words were pure melodrama, as though he were acting out a deathbed scene in some second-rate play."
(Ouch)

I was able to get a nice used paperback copy at a new & used bookstore for $2.
You can find a new one for $4 plus, shipping.
A good book for the price.

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Lincoln-Pic...roy+hayman

[RJNorton]

(07-20-2017 07:27 PM)Gene C Wrote:  At last, however, Stanton assigned a War Department attache, Major Henry Reed Rathbone to the task.
(I don't recall reading that before)

I agree, Gene. Wasn't it Mary Lincoln's idea? I think it was she who invited her friend, Clara Harris, and her then fiancé, Henry Rathbone, to attend the theater with the Lincolns.

[Thomas Kearney]

(07-20-2017 07:27 PM)Gene C Wrote:  The Death Of Lincoln a Picture History of the Assassination by Leroy Hayman

Published by Scholastic Books, copyright 1968 and reissued in 1990. Over 50 photo's and drawings, book has about 115 pages. It is a good introduction to the Lincoln Assassination, suited for ages over 10 - adult.

It's not perfect - on page 30, Stanton refuses Lincoln's request for Thomas Eckert to accompany the President to the theater.
"In fact, Stanton strongly advised that Mr. Lincoln himself not go to the theatre that night. At last, however, Stanton assigned a War Department attache, Major Henry Reed Rathbone to the task.
(I don't recall reading that before)

Regarding Booth's skill as an actor, page 38 -
"Vowing, 'I must have fame!' his ambition soared beyond his ability. He always confused acting with athletics, substituting leaps and gestures for a real interpretation of the role. Always he was long on action, short on thinking. Yet, in his brief career on the stage he gathered a considerable following."
(I can accept that)

Then there is this statement also on page 38
"At first, Booth was loyal to the Union cause. In December 1859, sixteen months before the war began, Booth was serving with a militia movement, the Richmond Grays. He was one of the guard officiating at the hanging of abolitionist John Brown at Charles Town Virginia."

And this comment about Booth's entry in his diary, page 94 -
"For Booth was absolutely convinced that he was right in slaying Mr. Lincoln. He was certain sure he had acted in the South's best interest - whether Southerners knew it or not. And he pitied himself for the South's ingratitude."

I thought he summed up Booth's actions quite well with this statement on page 101 -
"In a sense Booth died as he had lived. His life had been in the make-believe life of the theatre. His crime was agonizingly real, but he planned for it as an actor would in preparing a role for the stage. And his dying words were pure melodrama, as though he were acting out a deathbed scene in some second-rate play."
(Ouch)

I was able to get a nice used paperback copy at a new & used bookstore for $2.
You can find a new one for $4 plus, shipping.
A good book for the price.

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Lincoln-Pic...roy+hayman

I remember reading this. We had it on the bookshelf in 4th Grade. I wish I was in 4th Grade forever.