Mr. Lincoln's Boys

by Staton Rabin, Bagram Ibatoulline (Illustrator)

In celebration of Abraham Lincoln?s two hundredth birthday comes this breathtakingly illustrated picture book about the president and his two youngest sons. Tad and Willie Lincoln were mischievous pranksters who treated the White House as their personal playground. They tormented nearly everyone they encountered?except their doting father. Even when they demanded a full presidential pardon for their soldier doll, he was happy to oblige. For him, the boys were a welcome distraction from the looming Civil War. Based on true events, Mr. Lincoln?s Boys reveals a playful side of one of history?s greatest presidents.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Civil War, American Civil War

36 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2008

About the author

Staton Rabin has a B.F.A. in film from New York University. In addition to writing for children, she is a screenwriter; a popular speaker about the art, craft, and business of writing for film; and a veteran story analyst for Scr(i)pt magazine, screenwriters, and producers. Staton Rabin lives in Irvington, New York.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book as an adult, but I'm not sure it's really a children's book. The story is a bit wordy and not one that I think would hold a child's attention. I liked seeing President Lincoln as a father in the book and not just our President. He had two little boys, who sound much like my own, who like to create a little mischief now and then. Found the author's note in the back to be very informative along with the Cast of Characters described there.

[Mrs. Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could give 4.5 stars...I would. I love Ibatoulline's wonderful illustrations. The story is based on truth. My third graders enjoyed the story--hearing about famous children who actually act as children do. They were sad to learn that both Tad and Willy died very young, but I thought it a fact worth sharing from the author's notes at the conclusion of the story. We all had a laugh over the part where the boys are sitting on a log--and they are stumped. :-)

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a highly educational text about the family life of Abraham Lincoln. It illustrated his more personal side and how he chose to deal with the tremendous stress of his presidency. It didn't reveal him to be a very strong authoritarian parental figure, but it conveyed his life as he apparently was. This book was extensively researched as is evidenced in the afterword. Really a great book.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully done children’s book on a little known aspect of Abraham Lincoln’s life as a father during his White House years to his two mischievous little boys Willie and Tad! The story really captivated my children and they could relate to the bad dreams, playing army and digging holes in mother’s flower garden! Excellent artwork as well! One of our favorite Abraham Lincoln books we’ve read so far!

[Nicholas & Megan Clinch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mischief brothers? Yes please.

[Amy Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book about his boys.

[Lynne Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mostly true anecdotes.

[Krysta McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography book had me hooked from the beginning. I could see this book being used in grades 3-5 for any history loving child. This book tells Lincolns story in a way that I have never seen before. It shows Lincoln in a more personal and relatable way, almost depicting a softer side to this already soft man. I love the way Rabin wrote this story and the ending is one of my favorites of a biography book.

[Staton]

Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline (who also illustrated, among others, THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE by Kate DiCamillo). This book has received a starred review in "School Library Journal" and has been endorsed by the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

"This is a wonderful book, bringing the family and world of our greatest president to a younger generation." ---award-winning filmmaker, Ken Burns

"This delightful, mostly true to life book helps remind us that our greatest President was more than a magnificent historical presence: he was a warm, vulnerable human being like the rest of us.”
--Governor Mario M. Cuomo, author of WHY LINCOLN MATTERS

From “Booklist”:

“…this glimpse of Lincoln as a family man makes a memorable entry in the upcoming rush of titles issued to celebrate next year’s 200th anniversary of his birth.”


I'm the author of this book, Staton Rabin.

[Sandybear76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story tells the tale of Lincoln's 2 younger boys living in the White House during the Civil War. The boys were full of mischief and made Lincoln smile during rough times. The boys had a doll named Jack, whom they imagined was a spy one day and a brave soldier killed in action the next day. They had asked Lincoln to pardon Jack one day and the story is part of this wonderfully illustrated book.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of books lately about children in the White House. I really enjoyed this short picture book about the boys' adventures-- disturbing the cabinet and making their father write a pardon for one of their dolls who was a rebel spy. Great to pair with Rosemary Wells' Lincoln and His Boys or Kerley's What To Do About Alice (about Theodore Roosevelt's daughter).

[J. S. Seebauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I love all things Lincoln I am not foolish enough to say that all Lincoln books are worth loving. This one, makes the grade.

It is a delightful story about Lincoln's boys, sharing their life & much about their adorable dad. While the story is not 100% true, it contains, at the end, facts about Lincoln & his boys that are factual.

Must read!

[Debbie Mcclure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about the antics of Lincolns two boys in the
White House during the Civil War. Puts a realistic face to the president and his family. Amusing story of boys activities that gave Lincoln some relief from Civil War issues, but same antics bothered White House Staff.

Nice tie in to presidency, presidential life and family, Civil War.

[Natalie Schmitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abraham Lincoln had two boys named Tad and Willie. This was during the time of the Civil War. Both boys wanted to be ordinary boys. Find out how the two boys entertained themselves while their father was busy with the war. This book may be good for the students to learn compare and contrast. The students can compare their lives to the lives on Mr. Lincoln's boys.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, definitely one to try with the older grades, when they have a more solid (& relaxed) grip on who Lincoln was.. (I Made the mistake of trying George Washington's Mother on first-graders this season, and it became too confusing, as they mostly struggled with learning about how he was killed...:/ )

[Addison Children's Services · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sure I read a great review on this, because I put it on hold while it was still on order. I do not think it lived up to that review. I found the writing pedestrian. There were no stories I hadn't already heard. In fairness they may well be new to children. The pictures are by far the star of this book. Lovely illustrations.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite sure what or whom this book is for... The pictures are beautiful but serious and a bit stale. The "story," I guess, is meant to show the human and loving side of Mr. Lincoln. But, still, what's the point if it is not actually a great story?

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Child-friendly story about Lincoln's two sons during the White House years. Deals with the Civil War but not heavily so. Good read-to for first grader or read-on-your-own for good second or third grade readers.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wordy picture book is about Lincoln's two sons, most notably when they put a doll to death but then changed their minds and had their father pardon the doll. The themes are a little mature for a picture book.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being children themselves, my boys always like to hear about the kids of the presidents. This book recounted something that would be just like what my boys would do if they were in the White House. Poignant, but enjoyable.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crisp, clear, lovely illustrations of Ibatoulline are the highlight of this small illustrated book regarding President Lincoln's very special relationship with his two mischievous sons Willie and Tad.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great to see Lincoln as a father. I'm not sure kids will like this book, but I did.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

While he may be romanticized a little for this picture book, still, Abraham Lincoln was a loving, patient father to his boys. More reasons he's #1 on my Greatest Americans of All-Time list.

[N_Allie l]

I listened to this on audio.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great biography on the lives of Willie and Tad Lincoln.

[Jbaccon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated exploration of the human side of the famous president. An interesting look into the humanity of this man as a loving and playful father.

[Kellie Bae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listented to this on CD.