Looking at Lincoln (I promise not another movie review)

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia !

wait, I meant:  Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincoln !

This is an exciting time for American History buffs – the Lincoln movie has finally been released after much fanfare.  And the press seems to love it. The actors are making their way around the TV circuit promoting the movie.  And you know it’s a hot topic when Barnes and Noble dedicates a display to Lincoln:

Lincoln display at Barnes & Noble

To no surprise, The Chronicle of Higher Education included a piece about the movie. It was really informative, explaining how public sentiment and scholars changed their views about Lincoln over the years.  Worth a few minutes to read.

I must sadly admit that I haven’t managed to escape my house and Thanksgiving guests and all the regular hoopla in my life to go see the movie.  Hope to see it next week as I know it will be an amazing story to see on the big screen.

Instead, I offer a review of a different Lincoln. One that is more within my everyday realm: children’s stories!  I picked this up at a school book fair for my 7 year old, who now appreciates this president as she’s been along with me to visit Gettysburg and The Lincoln Memorial.

Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC

So, I present to you, straight off my book shelf with no oversized popcorn or a super large soda or people checking their cell phones during the show…. Looking at Lincoln, by Maira Kalman, author and illustrator, and a bit of a Lincoln fanatic herself!

Looking at Lincoln, published by Nancy Paulsen Books / Penguin Group USA

My daughter has made the connection to Lincoln at school, since they are learning about money and the famous people appearing on coins and bills.  The book was nice for her mainly because it reiterated facts about him that she knew from elsewhere like his nickname, Honest Abe.  And that he had sons named Tad and Willie who she’s getting to know from a Magic Treehouse series book called “Abe Lincoln at Last!”   In any case, for a child unfamiliar with Lincoln’s story, the imagery will pull him/her in.  Then the quirky facts of his life will carry interest, such as how he stuffed notes into his tall hat.  When he wore the hat, he was seven feet tall!

Beyond the odd facts, slavery and the Civil War are touched upon, so you may need to explain those concepts to younger children.  Plus his assassination is included.  My daughter inquired, “what does wounded mean?”   So, if you ‘re not comfortable tackling these topics with your children, this is not a great book for your family just yet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I highly recommend this book to families with elementary age children and certainly a must if headed to Washington, DC to see the sights. It will put the Lincoln Memorial into context when you visit.

And I promise to see the movie very soon and, at minimum, to tweet about it.  I don’t know if the world would benefit from yet another movie review.  Maybe just 140 characters from me will suffice.   For now, enjoy this lovely book!