Abraham Lincoln

This 1939 Caldecott Medal-winning biography traces Abraham Lincoln's path from his childhood in the wilderness through his formative years and early career. The narrative focuses on Lincoln's development and the experiences that shaped his character. The d'Aulaires bring authenticity to their work through firsthand research, having camped and sketched in Kentucky and Illinois to capture the landscapes of Lincoln's early life. Their stone lithography illustrations present detailed scenes of frontier life and Lincoln's world in the early 1800s. The book has endured for over 80 years, with a 75th-anniversary edition released in 2015 by Beautiful Feet Books. This edition features restored illustrations from the original 1939 proofs and updated text to reflect current historical understanding. This biography connects readers to the human side of an iconic historical figure, emphasizing the power of determination and education in shaping one's destiny. Through Lincoln's early years, it illustrates how ordinary beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Readers praise this biography for making Lincoln's story accessible to children ages 6-12 while maintaining historical accuracy. Parents and teachers note that the lithograph illustrations help hold children's attention and bring the historical period to life. Liked: - Clear chronological storytelling - Detailed illustrations that children study repeatedly - Balanced coverage of Lincoln's childhood and presidency - Age-appropriate handling of complex topics like slavery - Durable binding that withstands multiple readings Disliked: - Some find the text density challenging for younger readers - A few readers note the illustration style appears dated - Price point higher than similar children's biographies Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (900+ ratings) "My 7-year-old requests this book often and notices new illustration details each time," notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple teachers report the book sparks good classroom discussions about American history.

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🌟 The d'Aulaires traveled to Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana to camp and sketch on location, ensuring their illustrations accurately captured Lincoln's world. 🎨 The book's distinctive illustrations were created using stone lithography, a traditional printing technique where images are drawn directly onto limestone blocks. 🏆 The book was awarded the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 1940, recognizing it as the year's most distinguished American picture book for children. 📚 Ingri and Edgar d'Aulaire were a husband-and-wife team who collaborated on over 27 children's books, with each bringing unique artistic skills to their partnership. 🏠 The book places special emphasis on Lincoln's early years in a one-room log cabin, showing how his humble beginnings and self-education shaped his later beliefs about equality and opportunity.