Poor Abraham Lincoln! His life was hardly fun at all. A country torn in two by war, citizens who didn’t like him as president, a homely appea...
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reviews
Jul 19, 2011
Jonathan
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"How Laughter Saved the President" is an extraordinary book showcasing how President Lincoln used humor in all ways of life. Starting even as a young boy, Lincoln would read jokes to his friends in the forest. He used humor to lighten difficult times - and there were many of these in his life. He lost his mother and sister, as well as two of his three sons. The one-liners were so good in this book they were making me snort with laughter - such as Lincoln poking fun at himself, his wife
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Sep 15, 2010
The Reading Countess
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One of the newest books in my school library, I plucked Lincoln Tells a Joke from an overstuffed cart waiting to be shelved. Not yet checked out to anyone, I felt slightly guilty to be getting first crack at the read. Tomorrow I plan to return it so that others might enjoy this entertaining trip back in time.
Told simply with whimsical illustrations by Kathleen Krull, one of my all time favorite authors for all things biographical (written with her husband Paul Brewer), this would mak More...
Told simply with whimsical illustrations by Kathleen Krull, one of my all time favorite authors for all things biographical (written with her husband Paul Brewer), this would mak More...
Aug 07, 2011
Lori
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This book tells of an amazing side of Abraham Lincoln that not many know. He was funny and he loved to laugh. He told jokes all the time. When he was young, his family taught him to enjoy reading, stories, and joking around. Keeping his sense of humor and laughing helped him get through the loss of his mother. He joked about his awkward appearance, his court cases when he was a lawyer, and even about his wife to be’s uptight family. His sense of humor is what got him through some of the to
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Feb 09, 2011
Patty
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Came across this children's book while searching for presidential biographies. It's an easy read and it features a rather inspirational story - despite his crappy childhood and later sucker punches life gave him, Lincoln muddled through and made his and others' lives easier with his snappy humor. For example, he once quipped of a fellow lawyer, "That man can pack the most words into the least ideas of any man I know." "Joke" mentions two books Lincoln read as a child - "
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Sep 21, 2011
Ashley
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Genre: Information or Non-fiction
Copyright: 2010
This book is about Abraham Lincoln. It describes his desire to learn and his love of reading and words. He didn't have a glamorous life, but he used humor to make it more enjoyable. Through telling about his life, there are quotes that Lincoln used and jokes he told. He seemed to have a good sense of humor. His sense of humor and wit helped him become the president he was. I enjoyed learning about him and think children would l More...
Copyright: 2010
This book is about Abraham Lincoln. It describes his desire to learn and his love of reading and words. He didn't have a glamorous life, but he used humor to make it more enjoyable. Through telling about his life, there are quotes that Lincoln used and jokes he told. He seemed to have a good sense of humor. His sense of humor and wit helped him become the president he was. I enjoyed learning about him and think children would l More...
Oct 31, 2010
Reader
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First and foremost, what this provides is irrefutable evidence that Lincoln's life was awful. Just awful. Between the depression the war and the dead kids, he could have been forgiven for being a gloomy gus. Instead, he used jokes and laughter to get things done. Krull shows the practical applications of laughter, and how it kept one of our greatest presidents sane and (relatively) cheery. Certainly a new Lincoln picture book bio kids can get behind. - B
Aug 25, 2010
Raina
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This book promises a lot more than it delivers. Granted, the central thesis is good - Lincoln was known as a funny guy, and more people should know that. But the humor he was famous for is generally above the heads of most kids. So a book on that humor falls a little short. Not to mention the problematic genre of upper elementary picture books. But maybe I expect books to fit in boxes too much. I just know I won't be booktalking it anytime soon.
Sep 28, 2010
Sarah
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I enjoyed this short non-fiction account, but I will say the overwhelming impression I got of Lincoln's life from this book was that it sucked and was depressing most of the time, and that he just managed to laugh even though it was one terrible thing after another. He even laughed as he died. I'm not sure that the title does what the subtitle promises, it doesn't seem to show how laughter saved the country or really got anything done. Maybe it should say how Lincoln laughed until he died laughi
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Oct 05, 2011
Marilyn
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Funny. He had joke books in his desk and used jokes at the beginning of serious meetings just to survive his life. He had 4 boys. Two made it to adulthood. He was disorganized. My favorite is the story about his very disorganized office. He labeled a teetering pile of papers with the sign "When you can't find it anywhere else, look in this." HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Jun 09, 2010
dee
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Abraham Lincoln
His hand and his pen.
He will be good
But God knows when.
Abe's first nonsense poem at age 11.
Abe suffered with a lot of sadness in his life and some very difficult times but laughter seemed to get him through it all. They speculate he may have been laughing when he was assasinated. Interesting.
His hand and his pen.
He will be good
But God knows when.
Abe's first nonsense poem at age 11.
Abe suffered with a lot of sadness in his life and some very difficult times but laughter seemed to get him through it all. They speculate he may have been laughing when he was assasinated. Interesting.
Jan 06, 2011
Diana
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This is a book that presents small tidbits about Lincoln's life while focusing on his mastery of speech and humor. Throughout Lincoln's puns are quoted. It is an interesting way to look at Lincoln's life. However, the humor portrayed is probably more appropriate for adult audiences and will be lost on children.
May 15, 2010
Heloyce
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I never tire of learning about Abraham Lincoln. His wit and sense of humor have seen him through some difficult times. This book gives a small sampling of his life, but sprinkled with the humor that accompanied these events. Guess we should all take a lesson from him.
May 02, 2011
This easy to read book tells a side of President Lincoln that not many authors have written about. Lincoln was a person who loved to tell jokes and enjoyed using them to make a point. Laughing and telling jokes got him through some of his most difficult times.
Dec 22, 2010
Krista the Krazy Kataloguer
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Interesting book about the life of Lincoln, emphasizing how his sense of humor got him through good times and bad. The book is filled with Lincoln's humorous quotes, making me want to search out more of his writings. I didn't know that Lincoln wrote nonsense poems, or that he had a high-pitched voice, which seems odd for someone so tall. I also found it most interesting that he recognized the power of words with regards to the law. My favorite picture was the last one, which shows the statue
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Aug 24, 2010
Jess
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With plenty of books out there about Lincoln, this one is different in its approach. The sprinkle Lincoln's humor throughout by quoting some of his funny sayings. Not a great book, but a good one to gain some supplemental information about Lincoln.
Jan 17, 2011
Janessa
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I loved Krull's presentation of Lincoln's life and character. We took this book with us when we visited Gettysburg last fall and the biographical information was very accessible to my young readers. The illustrations set the tone perfectly.
Jul 05, 2010
Abby
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This is a somewhat slight book that'll spice up studies on Lincoln. Despite the subtitle, I'm not convinced that laughter did save the president (or the country), but kids will delight in some of the funny sayings accredited to Lincoln. While it wouldn't be a first purchase and will be more useful for entertainment than reports, it's a good choice for those looking for Abraham Lincoln out of the box.
http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2010/06/...
http://www.abbythelibrarian.com/2010/06/...
Aug 11, 2010
Kathy
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charming look at Lincoln's life, and the role humor played... how is was important to Lincoln... the facts are there, but the story is more personal because the humor angle is something not traditionally discussed about Lincoln.,
Aug 09, 2010
Alyson
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There are so many books about Lincoln, but this one really was great. It was very touching and would be great to share with kids to show how humor can be so important in life. The exaggerated illustrations are perfect for the topic.
Mar 23, 2011
Elizabeth
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Marvelous point that humor can be an equalizer and a strategy--it makes the joke teller feel better and the one who receives the joke.
very good--book is neatly arranged intriguing loved the fonts and set up
Must have for president's day
very good--book is neatly arranged intriguing loved the fonts and set up
Must have for president's day
Feb 05, 2011
Amy
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Outstanding account of how one of our most influential presidents used the characteristic of humor throughout his life to help him cope and survive the many heartbreaking, difficult circumstances he faced. It was amazing to me to focus on one characteristic of a person and see how it affected the overall individual we love and admire. I thought it was great for my kids to see another example of how our strengths can serve and bless us.
Aug 23, 2010
Phoebe
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A rather captivating look at Lincoln's sense of humor. This will be a good book to share with children as an example of how healthy humor is, and how important. It also brings Lincoln to life. 4th grade and older.
Oct 22, 2010
Lesley
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This book takes an interesting slant on Abraham Lincoln's life, focusing on his sense of humor. I enjoyed learning more about this lighter side of Lincoln, and the illustrations were appropriate and good too.
Aug 05, 2010
Karen
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I love reading about Abraham Lincoln, especially when it is geared toward children and stresses how important words and humor are. An excellent choice to add to the biography collection at school.
Sep 09, 2011
Katherine
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We are currently studying the Civil War. This book showed a lighter side to Abraham Lincoln. It was a welcome relief after being so serious lately. A well-written children's book.
Oct 24, 2010
Caren
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Fun story. Easily read and understood by children. Brings the kids right inside the man. Great book. Great illustrations.
Good read-aloud, all ages.
Good read-aloud, all ages.
Jun 10, 2011
Melanie
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A good story regarding a little known fact about Lincoln - his love of laughter and jokes. I liked this book, but is was very disjointed.
Nov 03, 2010
Sarah
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This was an interesting way to tell Lincoln's story. I liked it. I think it's always nice to remind people of the importance of laughter.
Sep 28, 2010
Becky
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Good picture book for older readers, highlighting how humor helped Lincoln in his admittedly difficult life and presidency.
Dec 31, 2010
Rachel
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I loved the text style of this book. I felt it really added something - the history parts were typed in serif type font, and text refering to jokes Lincoln told are in a cursive type font. Easy and enjoyable read.
