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Abraham Lincoln became President during what could be considered our
nation's worst crisis, and because of that he is one of our most well known presidents. It
would be impossible to list here all the books that have been written about him, but we
will attempt to introduce some of the best in print for each age level.
Books for Beginning Readers
Biographies written for primary and preschool children usually are well
illustrated in color, have about 32 pages, and focus on the childhood and main
accomplishments of the subject.
A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln by David Adler fits
into this category. It has only one or two sentences on most of the two-page color picture
spreads, and a list of important dates at the end. Cat. # S58, 6.25-D
A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln, by David Adler. A colorful
biography, mostly in pictures, covering the basic facts of Lincoln's life that will be
appreciated by children 4-8. hardcover with torn dust jacket. Was 15.95. Now only 11.50-S
Cornerstones of Freedom Books about Lincoln:
These books explore important events in United
States history. They are designed to make children 8-12 feel they are on the
scene as history is being made. This is accomplished not only by the text, which
is at grade 3-4 reading level, but also by the two-color illustrations,
full-color and black-and-white photos, and engravings. Books are 32 pages
long with index
 The
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by Brendan January.
This book explores the details of events before and
after Lincoln's death at Ford's Theater and includes a glossary and timeline.
BTH-2663. $5.95. Out of print. 1 left.
 The Lincoln-Douglas Debates by
Brendan January. This book gives young readers the historical context for the
debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas as they
campaigned for an open Illinois Senate seat. The highlights of the debates
themselves are also cited. The book also contains a glossary and timeline.
BTH-2664, $5.39-D
The Rookie Biography series, by Carol Greene, is for students who have
learned a little reading. Abraham Lincoln: President of a Divided Country is 48
pages long. It has two-four simple paragraphs per two-page spread and contains both color
and black-and- white illustrations, including some photographs. A list of important dates
and an index appear at the end. Cat. #Rookie, 4.45-D
 Just a Few Words Mr. Lincoln: The Story of the Gettysburg Address by
Jean Fritz is a Level 3 book in the All Aboard Reading Series, just right for grades 2-3.
It has more text than either of the previous two books, but is still amply illustrated in
color. It opens during the Civil War and portrays Lincoln as a busy president and a father
who plays with his children when he can. Lincoln's short "Gettysburg Address"
(the text of which appears at the end) is contrasted with the two-hour oration given by
the famous speaker Edward Everett, who preceded Mr. Lincoln at the podium. Mr. Lincoln
expected his own speech to be forgotten, but although no one remembers what Mr. Everett
said, Mr. Lincoln's words live on. Cat. # BTH-2667. $3.59-D
 Abe Lincoln's Hat, by Martha Brenner. This is a Step 2 book,
for grades 1-3 in the Step into Reading Series for early readers. It begins with Mr.
Lincoln's young adult years, and focuses attention on the importance of his hat, which he
used as a briefcase. The story covers his years as a circuit-riding lawyer, some important
cases he took to help people, and follows a little of his campaigning, ending with his
presidency. 48 easy-to-read pages, full of wonderful color illustrations by Donald Cook.
BTH-2666. $3.59-D
 Abraham Lincoln, by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, is a
Caldecott Medal winner. It contains about 60 oversize pages, at least half of which
contain illustrations. The text is double-spaced to be easy on young eyes and a third
grader should be able to handle the text. In my opinion, this is the most interesting and
comprehensive book aimed at upper primary age children, and it will still be interesting
to juniors. It begins with Lincoln's birth and concludes with the end of the Civil War. It
does not discuss the assassination. Cat. # 812, $9.85-D
Abraham Lincoln, by Ingir and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Regularly
$10.95. this paperback copy has been roughed up a bit at the top of the spine, and a little
of the surface paper is off. Nothing but the cover is affected. This copy only 8.50-S
 Abraham Lincoln:
Lawyer, Leader, Legend by Justin and Ron Fontes. Dorling Kindersley Readers,
2001. Level 3, Reading Alone. This book combines stunning photographs with
eye-friendly text to attract children who are just beginning to read on their
own. This book covers all the important facts about Abraham Lincoln's childhood,
political life, presidency, and death. At the end are a glossary and index. 48
pages. BTH-2668. $3.56-D
 Meet Abraham Lincoln, by Barbara Cary. This biography, designed
for children ready to take the next step beyond picture books, has 72 easy-to-read pages,
divided into 20 short chapters. There is a least one black and white drawing every five
pages, but there are also many pages that contain only text, double-spaced for relaxed
reading. The book spans Lincoln's entire life and contains all the basic facts and many
interesting anecdotes. Cat. #S57, 3.55-D
Books for the Middle Grades
As students grow older, they become ready for the next set of books. Abe
Lincoln Grows Up by Carl Sandburg, is based on the author's two volume biography, Abraham
Lincoln: The Prairie Years. It covers the period from his birth until he
leaves New Salem at the age of 19 to seek his fortune. James Daugherty's black
and white drawings enhance the 222 pages of Sandburg's inviting text. Though the
print is normal size, there is still plenty of white space, and the average
junior age child will be able to handle the vocabulary. Young readers will not
only meet the boy Lincoln, but they will also learn a lot about the nitty-gritty
details of pioneer life. Cat. #1343. $6.30-D
 Abe Lincoln Grows
Up by Carl Sandburg. Illustrated by James Daugherty. Harcourt Brace, 1956. This
book is made from the first 27 chapters of Sandburg's famous two-volume
biography of Lincoln for adults, Abraham Lincoln, the Prairie Years. It
focuses on Lincoln's baby and boyhood years, his games and chores, the things he
used, his life at Gentryville and on the Mississippi River, and his teen years
splitting rails and engaging in other outdoor activities for fun and profit,
until he left home when he was nineteen. But he still read every time he
had a chance. such was his thirst to learn. 222 pages. BTH-2593. $5.40-D
 Abe Lincoln: Log
Cabin to White House, a Landmark Book by Sterling North. Trade paper, 150
pages. Third grade and up. Each chapter opens with a few words written by
Abraham Lincoln himself. He is often quoted within the text as well. BTH-2661.
$5.39-D
 Abraham
Lincoln for Kids: His Life and Times with 21 Activities by Janis
Herbert. Chicago Review Press, 2007. For ages 9 and up. Includes timeline of the
period when Abraham Lincoln lived, web sites to visit, a list of historical
places to visit related to Lincoln's life, a bibliography and index. For each
period of Lincoln's life there is biographical information, illustrations and/or
photographs, and hands-on activities. These activities include making a
miniature Mississippi River flatboat, using surveying techniques to make a
treasure map, making a statue of Chief Black Hawk, making a stovepipe hat,
sewing a carpetbag, hosting a strawberry soiree, holding a debate, drawing a
political cartoon, making a Civil War scrapbook, making a freedom quilt collage,
learning Morse Code, playing "Followings," making a time capsule, painting a
panoramic background, and more. 149 pages. BTH-4080. $13.49-D
 Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator, by Augusta Stevenson.
Part of The Childhood of Famous Americans Series. A fictionalized biography that will be
eagerly read by children 8 and up. 192 pages, illustrated with black and white
drawings.BTH-2657. $4.49-D
 Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman tells the story
of Lincoln's life from a photographer's point of view, and is, of course, full of historic
photos. The first 22 years of Lincoln's life are covered in the first 16 pages, and the
rest of the 150 pages focus on his adult life, with plenty of attention given to his
courtship of Mary, his humor, his political life, the Civil War, and the assassination.
The main body of text is followed by a brief sampler of Lincoln quotations, a guide to
places associated with Lincoln that one can visit today, a bibliography, and an index.
This book should prove interesting to anyone fifth grade or above. BTH-2586.
$7.95.* Click on image to enlarge it.
The Death of Lincoln by Leroy Hayman , is a picture history of
the assassination aimed at those fourth grade and above. This is a 126-page digest size
book, and the print is smaller than in the previous two. It begins with the surrender at
Appomattox, and ends with a comparison of Lincoln's assassination to Kennedy's. Cat.#1344
OP
 Mary Todd Lincoln:
Girl of the Bluegrass by Katharine E. Wilke. Part of The Childhood of Famous
Americans Series. A fictionalized biography that will be eagerly read by
children 8 and up. 192 pages, illustrated with black and white
drawings.BTH-2658. $4.49-D
Teaching Materials on Abraham Lincoln
 History
in the Headlines: The Day Lincoln Was Shot by
Douglas M. Rife. Good Apple, 1999. For grades 6-8. This teacher resource uses
primary source material to take students back to the day Abraham Lincoln was
assassinated. There are reproducible handouts of newspaper articles after
Lincoln's death with suggested lesson plans for using each article. There are
also two famous poems used as literature connections: "O Captain! My Captain! by
Walt Whitman, and "The Martyr" by Herman Melville. Activity sheets are also
provided (with answers at back) for each handout. 32 pages. BTH-1827. $6.29-D
For Adults and Teens
 Abraham Lincoln:
Great Speeches, unabridged. Dover Thrift Classic, 1991. This book contains
Lincoln's memorable speeches, proclamations, and personal correspondence. This
is a must for any serious student of Lincoln. 128 pages. BTH-2662. $1.00-D
 Abraham
Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths by Stepen B. Oates. HarperCollins, 1994,
paper. This author wrote an earlier book on Lincoln which was a more
comprehensive biography --
With Malice Toward
None. In this book he seeks to correct or clarify some of the
interpretations in this earlier book. He examines the three major myths about
Lincoln in Part 1. In Part 2 he addresses some of Lincoln's personal issues --
his depression and his unhappy love life until he married Mary. He has
researched Lincoln's inner conflicts and described how Lincoln tried to resolve
them. The last three parts of the book deal with Lincoln's rise to political
power, his handling of the war and emancipation, his vision for the freedom of
all men, and his assassination and its aftermath. Oates' goal is to
verbally paint the real and very human Lincoln, devoid of myths, with which most
people will be able to identify. For teens and adults. 224 pages. BTH-2659.
$11.70-D
 With
Malice Toward None: A Life of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen B. Oates.
HarperCollins, 1994. According to the Nashville Banner, this book is 'a blend of
scholarship and style that reads like an enthralling novel....If you can read
just one book about Lincoln, this should be it.' First published in 1977.
Illustrated with black and white photographs. In the author's own words from the
introduction 'I had discovered a man of rich humanity -- a principled man who
understood the complexities of human nature, a self-made man who was proud of
his achievements, substantially wealthy, morbidly fascinated with madness,
obsessed with death, troubled with bouts of melancholia, and gifted with a major
talent for literary expression.' This is the man Oates portrays. 492 pages,
including extensive notes and index. May be light edge wear from being on
display. BTH-2660. $15.30-D
Those who would like to add a hands-on element to their study of Lincoln
may purchase a historic Abraham Lincoln coloring book by A. G. Smith for 2.65-D. I would
recommend children be at least nine before tackling the coloring. For 4.45-D, one may
obtain a paper doll book of Abraham Lincoln and his family in full color.
 The book I'm most excited about is Lincoln’s Unknown Private Life: An Oral History by
His Black Housekeeper Mariah Vance 1850-60. Written by a Christian who even founded a
church, this eyewitness account reveals details about the private family and spiritual
life of the Lincolns that has never been known before. It is an example of African -
American history at its best, it shows how historians work to authenticate manuscripts and
sources, and the stories themselves can be enjoyed by the whole family if read aloud.
Mariah was a free African American who was married to an escaped slave.
They and their many children lived in Springfield and Mariah was called upon to cook,
wash, and do others household tasks for the Lincolns during the ten years before they left
for the White House. Then Mariah and her family moved to Danville, Illinois, and for 40
years she told stories about the Lincolns to anyone who would listen. One of these was
17-year-old Adah Sutton, a secretary, who, when she recognized which Lincolns Mariah
meant, began to write down all the stories she could in shorthand before Mariah died in
1904.
By this time, Adah had an antique shop, and she met Lloyd Ostendorf, the
noted Lincoln artist. She shared some of the stories and Ostendorf encouraged Adah to
transcribe them. It took her five years to complete the 259 page hand-written manuscript.
Unfortunately, it was difficult to find a publisher for these remarkable stories because
few people were willing to take the work of an African American seriously then. Some
people even refused to believe Mariah actually existed. Finally Hastings House published
the book. It contains Mariah’s stories as she told them, a collection of
Lincoln-related photographs, and a facsimile of Adah’s original hand-written
transcriptions.
In order to assure the reader that these stories are credible, the first
64 pages are devoted to a publisher’s letter; a forward by Lloyd Ostendorf, an
authority on Lincoln art; a preface by Adah Sutton; an introduction by author and
award-winning Chicago Tribune journalist Walter Olesky; and some comments by noted
Lincoln critics. Reading this introductory information aloud and discussing it with your
upper level high school or college students will help develop an understanding of how one
should critically evaluate historical sources before accepting them as valid. In this
period when so many are busy rewriting history, our students need to know how a real
historian works.
The stories themselves take us to the relationship between the patient
but escape-prone "Mistah Abe" and the much misunderstood Mary Todd Lincoln,
referred to here as "de Missy," who was addicted to paregoric (a mixture of
opium and alcohol). This made her subject to fits of temper that drove her husband to
literally escape into his circuit-riding work, and sent their son Robert running toward
the barn. Mary is shown to be a clean, ambitious, good-hearted, and hard-working woman
when she is "herself."
Abraham Lincoln was neither a deist nor an agnostic. He was raised a
Baptist, and often attended the Presbyterian church with his wife, but he never joined any
Christian church. According to Mariah’s account, he was secretly baptized at night.
What he really believed is still hard to be sure of, but we do learn a lot from the things
he said to his wife, son , Mariah, and Mariah’s son Billy.
This book has shown me that although Lincoln was not an ideal father and
husband, he did the best he could with what he had. He revealed himself most in the things
he tried to teach his son Robert, and in his conversations with Mary. He modeled patience
and taught kindness, love, and returning good for evil. He believed vengeance belonged to
the Lord. Imperfect as he was, God prepared him for leadership in one of America’s
greatest crises.
Mariah learned to love and get along with all the Lincolns, especially
Robert, whom she adored. (He kept in touch with her as long as she lived and saw to it
that her needs were met.) Mariah’s Christian faith is illustrated not only in her
forgiving relationship with Mary, but also in her boldness in reproving all the
Lincoln’s when she thinks she should. She is kind and often goes to help the Lincolns
at a moment’s notice when Robert knocks on her door, even at the expense of her own
family’s needs
All in all, this book is well worth reading and discussing with your
family if you want insight into Abraham Lincoln’s character which cannot be found in
any other biography. The stories can be understood, if read aloud, by children fourth
grade and up. Most young children would have difficulty reading the black dialect on their
own. BTH-110. Now
only 24.95*
Copyright © 1997 by Barbara Radisavljevic, all rights
reserved.
Prices subject to change without notice.
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