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Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend)
by
Deborah Hopkinson (Goodreads Author),
John Hendrix
This ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book and Booklist Editors' Choice is an ingenious historical fiction picture book about the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It’s a tale of two boys who get themselves into more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store.
The year is 1816. Abe is only seven years old, and his pal, Austin, is ten. Abe and Austin decide to j...more
The year is 1816. Abe is only seven years old, and his pal, Austin, is ten. Abe and Austin decide to j...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
September 9th 2008
by Schwartz & Wade
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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!
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...more
This historical fiction story tells the tale of seven year old Abe Lincoln and his friend Austin Gollaher. These two adventurous boys are caught in a scary situation that nearly ends Abe's life. Looking for partridge, Abe and Austin need to cross a dangerous, raging piece of water called Knob Creek. Without Austin's fast actions and quick thinking, the sixteenth president of the United States may never have lived past his seventh birthday.
"Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek" is appropriate for ages 4+...more
"Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek" is appropriate for ages 4+...more
I found this Lincoln book very interesting--and for some reason they just keep on coming, even beyond his anniversary. Obviously a little known story--part of the subtitle is "Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend," I enjoyed the "tall, thin tale" feel to this historical fiction picture book. I also loved how the author spoke to the illustrator and directly to the audience as well--a good example of a newer trend in children's literature called......(I forget right now and my book is in my o...more
I read Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek by Deborah Hopkinson. This is a historical fiction picture book. The story begins by telling you the setting and time period that they were in. They were in Kentucky in 1816. Abe and Austin, who was Abe’s first friend, were going to the creek to see partridges. Abe’s mom said not to go to close to the creek because of the swollen waters. So they run down to the creek and see partridges on the other side of the creek, and Abe says let’s go across. Austin isn’t s...more
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...more
The author notes that this story is true to the best of her knowledge, although some of the little details may be a little different. This book tells the story of Abe Lincoln and his friend Austin trying to cross a creek to see some birds when Abe falls in and Austin saves him. But it is more than that. The author talks to the reader - the reader is also sure there is an illustrator. The reader is asked to think about the story - do they think this is true? Could something else have happened? Th...more
Feb 17, 2009
Lisa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone, history buffs, Lincoln admirers
Recommended to Lisa by:
Dr. Peggy Sharp
Shelves:
library-read-alouds
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 brings to mind being able t...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 brings to mind being able t...more
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 put that makes the idea stand out.
“Ho...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 put that makes the idea stand out.
“Ho...more
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 makes herself so pr...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 makes herself so pr...more
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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...more
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 tale take diff...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 tale take diff...more
"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 students to cheer...more
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 cleverly written...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 cleverly written...more
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 looking...more
Audience: This book is excellent for both boys and girls. This is something that every child can enjoy and get into because it is taking a very well known President and putting him at their level.
Appeal: Realistic. This book helps a child to see that even people who run our country can be little and fun just like them.
Application: This would be wonderful to read during a social studies lesson. I think that this book would be great for 1st graders because it gives them a nice jump start into the...more
Appeal: Realistic. This book helps a child to see that even people who run our country can be little and fun just like them.
Application: This would be wonderful to read during a social studies lesson. I think that this book would be great for 1st graders because it gives them a nice jump start into the...more
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 President, and an...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 President, and an...more
In Deborah’s story Abe is seven years old, residing in that famous log cabin, and fond of bird watching. Knob Creek is swollen; the swift moving creek provides an adventure for the future president. His best friend Austin is there to save the day. Deborah’s writing is engaging and fun, it draws the reader into her story and will help give young people a passion for reading. The art is pretty cool too. Enjoy Deborah’s story and along the way reflect that great people in history often owe a debt o...more
I'm reading this to my library classes this week for a lesson on historical fiction. It works perfectly for that and even points out that when you are telling a story from history, if you weren't there, you don't know some of the details for sure.
I love how Hopkinson talks to John, the illustrator, several times throughout the story. She also encourages reader participation by talking directly to the reader, asking questions, and calling for applause and shouts of "Yee-haw!" to encourage one of...more
I love how Hopkinson talks to John, the illustrator, several times throughout the story. She also encourages reader participation by talking directly to the reader, asking questions, and calling for applause and shouts of "Yee-haw!" to encourage one of...more
The story is a made-up event in young Abe Lincoln's life in Kentucky. With his "frontier friend" Austin, Abe crosses a swollen, fast-running creek. Trouble ensues of course (they DID promise Mrs. Lincoln they would not go near the creek!), and we nearly lose Abe! The voice of the author goes far in making this a delightful read-aloud for primary grades. The artist's hand appears in some of the pictures, as though he isn't quite finished with the illustration before the author tells that part of...more
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 definitely recommend...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 definitely recommend...more
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.
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 to them. It works-...more
Hopkinson encourages reader participation by occasionally speaking directly to them. It works-...more
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 exchange goes on b...more
An odd conversational exchange goes on b...more
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.
You never hear about Lincoln’s friends, but he did have at least one. Here’s a tale about his childhood playmate, Austin, and their astounding adventures one day on Knob Creek in Kentucky. This book is written in an old oral tradition style that incorporates lots of humor, reader interaction and a moral, so it is really fun to read aloud. For all ages, but I think younger-elementary schoolers would find it particularly fun.
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).
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.
who knew abe lincoln wasn't always the just our president, he was a little boy too!
A great children's book that also teaches kids the history of abe lincoln our 16th president if they are just know learning who he is. I feel this book makes history sort of fun showing abe as little boy going on adventures with his friends something kids do as well.
A great children's book that also teaches kids the history of abe lincoln our 16th president if they are just know learning who he is. I feel this book makes history sort of fun showing abe as little boy going on adventures with his friends something kids do as well.
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!
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I am the author of historical fiction picture books, nonfiction, and middle grade fiction. I also review books for Bookpage.com, and work full time as vice president for advancement (that means fundraising!) for Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) here in Portland.
Titanic: Voices from the Disaster was named a 2013 Sibert Honor Book and a 2013 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist. Annie and...more
More about Deborah Hopkinson...
Titanic: Voices from the Disaster was named a 2013 Sibert Honor Book and a 2013 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist. Annie and...more
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