Read Fearlessly

"Don't be afraid to go in your library and read every book . . ."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower*

Bookplate by Fortune Bovard, 1904

* Remarks at the Dartmouth College Commencement Exercises, Hanover, New Hampshire. June 14, 1953

PPBF: Abe's Fish

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Abe's Fish: A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln

Abe's Fish: A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln
Written by Jen Bryant
Illustrated by Amy June Bates

• Sterling, 2009
• Ages 4 and up; Lexile 580

word count 1263, 40 pages

Themes:
Historical, Biography,
Sharing, Freedom

Opening:
"Abe woke to the sound of the cabin door opening and closing. He jumped up, pulled on his pants, and ran outside.
'Where are you going?' Pa asked when he heard Abe approaching.
'With you!" Abe answered, trying to sound natural, like this was what he did every day."


Synopsis:

This slice-of-life biography of young Abraham Lincoln explores the concept of freedom developing in the boy, Abraham. The story is taken from a true incident in which Lincoln shared his fish with a soldier. The book recreates Abraham's childhood and pieces together the moral principles which would guide him in later life. It includes a three-page author's note on other incidents in Lincoln's life and an extensive bibliography for further reading.


What I Love:
Abe's Fish is another good example of modern biographical picture books. It examinines one true incident, then supports the truth with historical detail, allowing the reader to connect with the main character through fictional details. It is spare and well-told.
I love anything by Amy June Bates. This book is beautifully illustrated: great characterization, compositions, and palette.

The Star-Spangled Banner

Bonus:

1. Explore the Land of Lincoln, Illinois, the Kentucky homestead, Gettysburg, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, or Ford's Theater.
2. Brush up on the War of 1812, when the story takes place.
3. You'll find a half a dozen kid-friendly sites for studying the Civil War at Civil War.org
4. Download a free coloring book on the Emancipation Proclamation.
5. Construct a pretzel log cabin from Fun Family Crafts.
6. Look for these other related Perfect Picture Books at your local library.

My review of Vinnie and Abraham

Read my review of Unspoken

an early reader review

Reviewed by Kirsten

Reviewed by Jarm

Reviewed by Wendy

Reviewed by Rhythm and his mom person

Check out all the  titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for May 16, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's excellent blog.

PPBF: Thomas Jefferson, Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything

Today's Perfect Picture Book Friday pick

Thomas Jefferson, Life Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything,
by Maira Kalman, released Jan. 7, 2014.

Thomas Jefferson
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Everything
Written and illustrated by Maira Kalman
Penguin Young Readers, 2014
Non-Fiction, ages 4-10,
40 pages

Themes:
Biography, History, Curiosity

Opening:
     "Thomas Jefferson had red hair and some freckles (about 20 I think), he grew to be very tall and oh, yes, he was the third president of the United States.
     "He was born in 1743 on a plantation (a very large farm) in Virginia.
     "What was he interested in? EVERYTHING. I mean it. EVERYTHING"


Synopsis:
This newly released picture book biography chronicles the life of Thomas Jefferson, centering on his interests at Monticello in a completely kid-friendly format. It gives the standard facts about his birth, death, and major accomplishments. But the author doesn't shy away from Jefferson's contradictory nature. Specifically, the book examines his official stance on slavery vs. his practice. She includes details about his relationship with Sally Hemings in a tasteful, thought-provoking manner appropriate for any age.

What I Love:
The Pursuit of Everything is a fabulously modern example of a non-fiction picture book. It will make a great mentor text worthy of analysis. Kalman uses a variety of fonts, vivid gouache paintings, and conversational text to bring the character of our third president alive. She sneaks sidebars into the layout, grabbing readers unawares, with contemporary information which relates to Jefferson's day. She integrates current topics, challenging vocabulary, and even a bit of rhyming copy. She caught my attention with the outstandingly clever title, but she held it with skillful writing. Plus, I'm a sucker for creative endpapers. These feature the text of the Declaration of Independence.


Bonus:

Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library,
written by Barb Rosenstock,
illustrated by John O'Brien

1. You may still have time to visit with the author at Monticello. Take the tour of this historical home. The book launch set for February 15 was delayed because of the continued inclement weather. But Maira's original illustrations are on display. The rescheduled  book signing is TBA.
2. You can read Kristen Larson's PPBF review of Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock. It makes a great companion book.

3. To see a detailed account of this book's contents, view the thorough video summary by Liz's Book Snuggery.
4. AllRecipes provides a tempting fig cake recipe, which Jefferson was reportedly fond of eating.
5. According to the book, Jefferson had a passion for growing vegetables, especially peas. Grow your own pea plants with this amazingly fun, kid-tested, photographic tutorial from igardendaily.
6. Thomas Jefferson was full of new ideas. Inventivekids is a great website for the creative kids in your life.
7. SocialStudiesForKids lists links to most facets of Thomas Jefferson's life and career.


Check out all the recommended titles for Perfect Picture Book Friday
for February 28, 2014, available on Susanna Leonard Hill's excellent blog.

Abe Lincoln's Hat

Abe Lincoln's Hat,
Written by Martha Brenner,
Illustrated by Donald Cook

"A book which is well and thoughtfully illustrated provides a richer experience for a child by supporting the words of the printed text with concrete images which communicate action, express emotion, and satisfy a child's need to engage his / her senses. With love and magic, an illustration transforms a story into a living, tangible world which a child can explore and revisit as often as he or she wishes."

- Donald Cook, artist/educator

interior art by Donald Cook

Abe Lincoln's Hat is a chapter book written by Martha Brenner and illustrated by Donald Cook.

Abe Lincoln's Hat was published by Random House in 1994 as part of their Step Into Reading program.  This book is a Step 3, which means it is recommended for readers in grades first through third who are just beginning to read on their own.  The sentences are very simple, though some of the vocabulary is more challenging.  It reads like a reader, rather than a chapter book story.  This book uses the detail of Abraham Lincoln's stovepipe hat to relate important events in his career.  I like the way the author introduced lesser known elements from his life and focuses on his time as a lawyer.  This book appeals to my author side because it is these kinds of unusual details that are able to get a manuscript out of the slush pile.  The illustrations by Donald Cook are very appropriate to this book.  He has skill in varying the layout and point of view to give interest to the subject matter.  Cook's soft pencil-and-wash art lends a vintage air.

From Abe Lincoln's Hat, courtesy Donald Cook

A Book I Have Not Read

"My best friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read."

-Abraham Lincoln

Courtesy Stowe Vintage