Here's an ingenious historical fiction picture book about the 16th president of the United States. It’s a tale of two boys who get themselv...
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Dec 18, 2008
Roxanne Hsu
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This is a refreshing meta-nonfiction/picture book that really took me by surprise. The whole notion of what one might imagine a historical event "look" and "sound" like and how it cannot be set in stone and how even if the story's details are not entirely accurate, the central truth and the wisdom could remain unwavering is conveyed with such wit and clarity. I think this is an amazing book for young historians!
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Jan 01, 2009
Scope
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Let me say off the bat that I’m biased. Abe Lincoln holds a special place in my stovepipe, which I have worn for the last few Halloweens impersonating the great man. I even grew up on a Lincoln Avenue. If you know that information, then you know I come to most books about our 16th president with more interest than the average reader. But I’d be lying if I said that “Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek” is anything less than one of the most creative, well illustrated books about Honest Abe you’re likely
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Mar 10, 2010
Ch_ebonysmith
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This is a picture book for young readers. It is about Abraham Lincoln when he was only seven and his first friend Austin who is ten years old. The boys are out for a little adventure one day. The story takes place in 1816 in Kentucky. After doing his chores, Abe and his friend are setting out to go have fun. Abe’s mother warns the two boys “don’t go too near the creek!” The boys agree and head off. Well, the boys do not listen and end up going not only near the creek, but they try to go over it
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Feb 17, 2009
Lisa
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This is a wonderful story telling of the unsung hero who was good friends with a young Abraham Lincoln.
I don't want to give too much away and spoil the experience of reading the book and discovering the importance of Austin Gollaher in the life of Abe Lincoln, but this is one not to be missed!
The voice of the story is so engaging! Told in an interactive (anticipating what the reader might be thinking and addressing it) down-home, folksy style it a great read aloud. It br More...
I don't want to give too much away and spoil the experience of reading the book and discovering the importance of Austin Gollaher in the life of Abe Lincoln, but this is one not to be missed!
The voice of the story is so engaging! Told in an interactive (anticipating what the reader might be thinking and addressing it) down-home, folksy style it a great read aloud. It br More...
Jul 13, 2010
Mallory
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Book title: Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek- A Tall Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Friend)
What was the compelling literary element of this book? Uses 1st person to introduce characters, setting, and plot.
Which genre? Historical Fiction
• Share special passages, meaningful dialogue, and/or illustrations. Note page number of selections and why you selected them. You are looking for ways the author says or describes something that is commonly felt or uniquely More...
What was the compelling literary element of this book? Uses 1st person to introduce characters, setting, and plot.
Which genre? Historical Fiction
• Share special passages, meaningful dialogue, and/or illustrations. Note page number of selections and why you selected them. You are looking for ways the author says or describes something that is commonly felt or uniquely More...
Mar 06, 2010
Ch_robyn
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Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek is as much about a young Abraham Lincoln as it is about his “forgotten frontier friend” Austin Gallagher. What makes Austin worth remembering? He was the one who saved the 7-year-old future president’s life after a young Abe fell into a fiercely flowing creek.
The artwork in this book is whimsical and youthful and it makes use of varying text sizes and positions. It is extremely kid friendly. But what makes this book so unique is the way the author More...
The artwork in this book is whimsical and youthful and it makes use of varying text sizes and positions. It is extremely kid friendly. But what makes this book so unique is the way the author More...
Sep 05, 2009
Bruce
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When he was seven-years-old Abraham Lincoln fell into the flooded Knob Creek near his home in Kentucky, and would probably have drowned but for the quick action of his friend Austin Gollaher who fished him out. This 1816 historical incident is the basis for the tale Hopkinson tells the reader and the illustrator. She imagines, as if she were recalling the story out loud, what the scene might have looked like. What would history be like if young Abe drowned? Did Austin use a fishing pole or a bra
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Feb 17, 2011
Allison
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Everybody has had a best friend some time in their life. Do you know who Abe Lincoln’s best friend was when he was seven years old? This book tells us it was a boy named Austin. Once, these two friends tried to cross a roaring creek; when Abe falls in, Austin has to reach in and save him before the water sweeps him away for good!
This book is really fun: it takes a story and makes it so much more interesting by showing you the illustrator's hand drawing out the pictures, making the ta More...
This book is really fun: it takes a story and makes it so much more interesting by showing you the illustrator's hand drawing out the pictures, making the ta More...
Mar 04, 2010
CH_Kathleen
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"Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek" is a humorous tale about Abe Lincoln and his friend Austin when they are seven years old. They attempt to cross a fast moving stream even though their mother told them not too. Abe falls into the creek and Austin saves him. The story refers to Abe's future of being the president and how is Austin hadn't saved him we wouldn't of had Abe Lincoln to do all of the wonderful things he did. This story is humorous and uses class interaction by asking the stud
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Aug 24, 2010
Susan
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This is the story of Abraham Lincoln and his childhood friend, Benjamin Austin Gollaher. I grew up hearing this story my whole life because Austin Gollaher (he went by this name) was my great-great grandfather.
You can imagine my surprise when I found this children's book that was written about the story of Austin saving Abe's life when they were just boys. Even if I didn't have a connection to the character in this story I would still give this book five stars. I thought it was cle More...
You can imagine my surprise when I found this children's book that was written about the story of Austin saving Abe's life when they were just boys. Even if I didn't have a connection to the character in this story I would still give this book five stars. I thought it was cle More...
Apr 20, 2009
Algernon
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Beautiful interaction between the text and John Hnedrix's artwork, in the style of a folk storyteller who talks directly to the artist (whose hands are frequently in view). The story is charming enough, based on a true story about a boyhood frind of Abraham Lincoln who rescued him from a creek. The book goes one even better, though, interacting with its young audiences by stopping the story, going backwards, inviting audience participation (cheering the book's non-famous hero, Austin, or looki
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Jan 07, 2009
CuriousLibrarian
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In the glut of children's books about Lincoln in the last few months, this one caught my eye. I don't usually include picture books in my lists or book-trackers (because I read 100s in a year), but this one won't let me ignore it.
Despite being based on a true story, this is definitely a Tall (Thin) Tale. The author inserts herself into the legend, saying that we don't know precisely how a key scene went so she's showing multiple versions. It's a silly, lighthearted look at our Preside More...
Despite being based on a true story, this is definitely a Tall (Thin) Tale. The author inserts herself into the legend, saying that we don't know precisely how a key scene went so she's showing multiple versions. It's a silly, lighthearted look at our Preside More...
Mar 19, 2011
Jess
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Great readaloud. Story I hadn't heard about Lincoln before and one I like to know. Although really, it's about friendship. I love the asides and the play between the author and the illustrator. Great things to discuss with the kids. Comments from my students "the author talks to you, usually they just write." "it's like when you read a story and stop and talk to us."
This was one of the Monarchs and while you can read it to the first and second grade cr More...
Nov 28, 2011
Melanie
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This was my biographical picture book.
I chose this book because I grew up near the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. However, I feel like children of various backgrounds could really enjoy and relate to this book. Unlike most books that I've seen about our presidents, this is a story of Abe as a boy. This book does a great job of showing a historical figure in an atmosphere that children can understand, while making him more real through his friendships and adventures. I would definitel More...
I chose this book because I grew up near the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. However, I feel like children of various backgrounds could really enjoy and relate to this book. Unlike most books that I've seen about our presidents, this is a story of Abe as a boy. This book does a great job of showing a historical figure in an atmosphere that children can understand, while making him more real through his friendships and adventures. I would definitel More...
Jan 15, 2011
Jen
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I really enjoyed this book on a younger Abe Lincoln than we are used to reading about. It shows his mischievious side. Interesting as I read about his trouble-making sons just this last week in Mr. Lincoln's Boys. I like how the author was ever-present throughout the story along with the illustrator whose hand and brush occassionally show up on the pages. I think this would make for a great read aloud.
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Feb 20, 2009
babyhippoface
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The more I read this, the more I like it. The story's a good one, what with one boy saving the life of another who will grow up to become the greatest U.S. President ever, but it's the moral Hopkinson speaks at the end that stays with me, and I stress it every time I read it: "What we do matters, even if we don't end up in the history books." This is the perfect story to hammer that thought home. Also,
Hopkinson encourages reader participation by occasionally speaking directly t More...
Hopkinson encourages reader participation by occasionally speaking directly t More...
Feb 20, 2010
Jackie
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Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale is the fictionalized account of Abe Lincoln and his boyhood friend, Austin Gollaher. When the two boys disobey Abe's mother, Nancy and head off to the swollen Know Creek to look for partridges. When Abe falls into the creek, his friend Austin pulls him out...not realizing he just saved a boy who would grow up to do great things. Lucky for all of us, he had his wits about him that fateful day in Kentucky, 1816.
An odd conversational exchan More...
An odd conversational exchan More...
Nov 13, 2010
Sasha
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We just read this as a bedtime story, and OH MY GOODNESS is this book wonderful! The illustrations are beautiful - nostalgic and modern at once. The tone of the book is conversational, like a good storyteller, and has plenty of reader/author interaction.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any teacher who likes picture books to supplement curriculum, or like me, any parent who is lucky enough to have a little nerd obsessed with Abe Lincoln.
I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any teacher who likes picture books to supplement curriculum, or like me, any parent who is lucky enough to have a little nerd obsessed with Abe Lincoln.
Feb 11, 2009
Sam
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Abraham Lincoln almost died as a 7-year old while trying to cross Kentucky's Knob Creek, according to this book. The great thing about this book is the manner in which it is told; Hopkinson uses a conversational tone with both audience and illustrator John Hendrix (personal favorite line: "John, could you PLEASE stop painting that noisy water?" as Lincoln attempts to slide across the creek on a fallen log).
Jan 24, 2012
Kelli
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This is the tale of young Abe Lincoln and his best childhood friend. The author interrupts the story to consult with the illustrator, and the reader is directly addressed during the story. These devices make the book appropriate for elementary to early middle school readers. The tale celebrates acts that impact history, whether or not you become the famous one. It also highlights friendship.
Mar 11, 2011
Penny
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Brilliant! Metafiction for young kids, amazingly well-done. I thought it was going to be above my kindergarten son's level, but he not only loved it, he howled with laughter and begged to have it read 2 more times. I think it will also appeal to my 4th grader, but she'll get some of the subtler nuances that my son didn't quite grasp. This is a keeper!
Jul 14, 2011
Mandy
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Summary:
When Abe was seven years old he disobeyed his mom's stern warning to stay away from the nearby creek. Luckily he was accompanied by his friend Austin because Abe fell in and nearly drowned. Austin saved Abe and the story conveys the message to its readers that our actions matter even if they are not recorded in the history books.
When Abe was seven years old he disobeyed his mom's stern warning to stay away from the nearby creek. Luckily he was accompanied by his friend Austin because Abe fell in and nearly drowned. Austin saved Abe and the story conveys the message to its readers that our actions matter even if they are not recorded in the history books.
Nov 21, 2010
Kristy
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This is an awesome book telling of Abe Lincoln and his best friend. It is very engaging. The author uses narrative language then switches to 1st person throughout the book. The colors are very rich and vivid and the use of word play [scrolling across the page or looping on the log] is impeccable. A great picture book to have in your class library.
Oct 16, 2009
Lori
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Story about how President Lincoln's boyhood friend, Benjamin Austin Gollaher, rescued him from Knob Creek. Nice "author's note" in the front identifying sources for her story and further research made to verify a few of the particulars. Learn more about Lincoln's Boyhood Home at Knob Creek (Kentucky) at www.nps.gov/abli/index.htm.
Dec 14, 2011
Julie
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Biography. I really loved the phrase, "the other side of yesterday." I like how the telling of this story about Abe Lincoln as a boy instead of just what he did during his presidency. I think its funny how all the picture book biographies about Abe Lincoln describe his physical appearance in such a funny way.
Nov 13, 2009
Katie
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Interesting read with the author talking to the reader and the illustrator as she tells the story. The tale is of Abraham Lincoln as a young boy and his friend Austin who try to cross a swollen creek. It is a true story with some guesses/embellishments admittedly on the author's part. Reads well and has great illustrations.
Nov 03, 2011
Matthew
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Easil among the most inventive approaches to writing a historical account of an imporantant event I've ever seen. I'm not sure which person to say this is written from, only that the author is very conversational and the story is both fun and quirky. I really loved this book. So creative.
Jan 14, 2009
Molly
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I like this as a modern tall tale. From what I have read recently about the real Abraham Lincoln it has some true facts but it really should be clear in the beginning that we may not know the truth of this. Fun story know matter what.
Jul 28, 2010
Sayrah721
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I used this book two weeks ago with a fellow presenter in my writing workshop presentation and it got huge response. This book works for teaching a variety of writing ideas (onomatopoeia, interjections, revision, key illustrations, etc.)
Feb 02, 2010
Jason
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Not just an interesting story about a youthful (and one imagines formative) experience in Abe Lincolns life, but also a lesson in how history is remembered, retold and sometimes reshaped. A wonderful book all around.
