Abe Lincoln Remembers: A Picture Book About Courage, Wisdom, and Freedom for Kids

by Ann Turner, Wendell Minor (Illustrator)

A man of wisdom and courage.President Abraham Lincoln sits alone in the White House one evening in 1865. The war between the states is over at last, and the slaves are free. This man has come a long way from his small log cabin in Kentucky. What is he thinking about? What memories run through his mind?

Powerful text and stunning, historically accurate paintings combine to present a unique portrait of one of the greatest presidents in American history.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, History, Presidents, Nonfiction, American History, Politics

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 26, 2000

About the author

Ann Turner, also known and published as Ann Warren Turner, is a children's author and a poet.
Ann Turner wrote her first story when she was eight years old. It was about a dragon and a dwarf named Puckity. She still uses that story when she talks to students about writing, to show them that they too have stories worth telling.
Turner has always loved to write, but at first she was afraid she couldn't make a living doing it. So she trained to be a teacher instead. After a year of teaching, however, she decided she would rather write books than talk about them in school.
Turner's first children's book was about vultures and was illustrated by her mother. She has written more than 40 books since then, most of them historical picture books. She likes to think of a character in a specific time and place in American history and then tell a story about that character so that readers today can know what it was like to live long ago.
Ann Turner says that stories choose her, rather than the other way around: "I often feel as if I am walking along quietly, minding my own business, when a story creeps up behind me and taps me on the shoulder. 'Tell me, show me, write me!' it whispers in my ear. And if I don't tell that story, it wakes me up in the morning, shakes me out of my favorite afternoon nap, and insists upon being told."

(from: http://www.eduplace.com/kids/tnc/mtai...)

Reviews

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abe Lincoln Remembers is a children's picture book written by Ann Turner and illustrated by Wendell Minor. Before leaving for Ford’s Theater, Abraham Lincoln reflects on his life, both his accomplishments and disappointments. As today is Lincoln's Day (12 February), which is celebrated in the States, I thought it would be apropos to read this book.

Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman and lawyer who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, the country's greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. He succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.

Turner's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Turner's anecdotal narrative is written in the conversational voice of Lincoln-shape an insightful portrait of this leader. It chronologically organizes the text into accessible vignettes. Minor's stately, lifelike paintings depict the narrative extremely well. Each vignette is accompanied by a finely detailed illustration marked by sharp, nearly photographic definition.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. This biography covers Lincoln's fascination with words and learning as he was a lawyer before becoming President. It also stresses his early commitment to end slavery, his unwavering ethics and his profound anguish at the destruction and death caused by the Civil War. Cheerful moments inject some levity into the volume, as when Lincoln describes Mary Todd, the woman who would become his wife and his son Tad's habit of driving his cart and goats through the White House hall.

All in all, Abe Lincoln Remembers is a wonderful informational children's book about the sixteenth President of the United States of America.

[Danette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice children's biography.

7/1/21 Read with Julia

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography of Abraham Lincoln written from his perspective as if writing a memoir. Follows his life from growing up to after the Civil War. Impressively detailed illustrations throughout. Easy-to-read format triumphs over delivering detailed and poignant content. A good choice for classroom libraries in upper-elementary.

[Phul Rasaily]

Abe Lincoln Remembers is written by Ann Tuner and
Illustrated by Wendell Minor. This is a biography and historical picture book of 16th president of United States who fought for to end the slavery. In this book talks about Lincoln childhood and where he was born and how he grow up. He loved to learn but he didn't get to study because he has to do lot of house work. He did everything for a book and always dream of being free man. He work in street and did some wrestling and study to become a lawyer. He became educated and fought for the right thing. He also she how he got became president and how he tried to be best president as possible. This book has colorful watercolor that really goes with the story. For a classroom use, ask student about their dreams and encourages them to go after it.

[Logan Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Biographical Nonfiction
Grade: 2-3
This book is shorter but really well written about the life of Abraham Lincoln. One of the things I really like about this book is the illustrations and how well done they are. This book talks about Abraham’s life and how he grew up as a child and how he became president and helped with the freedom of slaves. This would be a great booked to show to second or third graders because it is shorter but a good history lesson.

[☁︎ ☾ ｡⋆ morgan ⋆｡☽ ☁︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

a short, but informational and beautiful (i mean, come on, the illustrations are lovely to look at) biography about Abe Lincoln told through a poetic style! i loved how the author included more than just the popular events of Lincoln's life (becoming president, the war, and ending slavery), but made it more intimate with bits about his early life and his love for his wife and kids.

[Memory Toast · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I enjoy reading about books Lincoln. Even if they don't teach me much more about the president than I already knew, they inspire me. this one had the added bonuses of being poetry, told in first-person, form the perspective of Licoln, and having nice painted pictures.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grades: 1-2
Genre: Biography
This book is interesting because it is for little readers but it is about real events that took place and is cool that little readers could learn about this at such a young age. The pictures are intriguing and the book was overall good. Rate 5-5

[Elly Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: biography
Grade level: 1-2

This was a cute little biography. I enjoyed the pictures and the easy to read words. I've always loved reading about our presidents, remembering that they used to be kids, teenagers, in love, and family men, instead of just "President".

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short and easy to engage book about Lincoln's life.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I support independent bookstores. You can use this link to find one near you: http://www.indiebound.org

[Galion Public Library Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

C.B. liked "everything."

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poetic book of what it might be like to be Abraham Lincoln from children hood to presidency. A great book to expose children to one of the greatest leaders. Perfect book for children in grades K-4!

[Alvana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The poetic style of writing wasn’t appreciated by my almost-5-year-old, but the illustrations are beautiful!

[Shari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done with basic information on the life of Abraham Lincoln.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This does not include the assassination of Lincoln, so could be a good entry point for young children with the assassination being brought up at the discretion of the parent.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really beautiful illustrations.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice illustrations and an accessible biography for K kids. Purchased at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.

[Matti Davis]

Title: Abe Lincoln Remembers
Author: Ann Turner
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Genre: Biography grades K-2
Theme(s): The American Civil War, Leadership, Values, History
Opening line/sentence: When I was little, the cabin we lived in was small with one room and one window. At first I thought the sky was square like a piece of cut cloth.
Brief Book Summary:
This story starts off with a young boy reminiscing about when he was younger and how much simpler life was. As the story moves on, it shows this young boy become the President of the United States. It talks about all of his accomplishments and how he became one of our country’s greatest presidents.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Horn Book-
Turner, Ann Abe Lincoln Remembers
32 pp. HarperCollins 2001. ISBN 0-06-027577-4 LE ISBN 0-06-027578-2
(3) K-3 Illustrated by Wendell Minor. Abraham Lincoln remembers how he viewed the world as a young, poorly schooled Kentucky boy and reflects on his work as a storekeeper, a lawyer, and finally a politician. Illustrated with large pictures that set the scene and convey character, the free verse text portrays what Lincoln's emotional response to events may have been, rather than offering specific facts about his life. An endnote provides some background material.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
CLCD-
Karen Leggett (Children's Literature)
This is a fresh way to approach Abraham Lincoln for very young children--verse spoken by Abe Lincoln that describes how he felt about the events that shaped his life and the life of the nation. "I'd fold up my legs like an umbrella and sit quiet at the back of the schoolroom, gulping down learning like water." After the Civil War, he was glad "the country is not divided and the slaves are free...though when I look in the mirror, I see how sorrow has dug lines in my cheeks." An adult will have to explain words like "sorrow" and "legislature," but the simple text does throw light on what this famous American might have been thinking. The author's note acknowledges that this is a work of fiction based on historical facts, an "imaginative exploration of... how Lincoln might have thought and felt about the events that shaped him into one of our greatest presidents." The warmly colored illustrations seem a bit stiff but there is always a thoughtfulness to Lincoln's expressions that ties in well with the text. As Lincoln worries at Gettysburg that he his speech a "short, poor thing," we see him downcast, surrounded by gravestones, holding a single small paper bearing the words of the Gettysburg address. 2001, Harper Trophy, $5.99. Ages 5 to 10.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Publishers ([New York N.Y.]:), PUBLISHED: [2003] c2001.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
Once again, the Horn Book Review is much less detailed than the CLCD review. This time I like the CLCD review much better because it has specific quotes from the book in it. This helps to show what the book is actually like and what exactly was said in it. However, I do like that the Horn Book review talked about the endnote that provides background material. I liked this because it shows that the information in this book is accurate and an actual biography.
Evaluation of Literary Elements:
The setting of this book goes from a log cabin in Kentucky to the White House in Washington DC. The pictures in this book are portrayed as paintings and they are historically accurate and add more to the story itself. Last, the text is very powerful and portrays Abraham Lincoln in a positive light and in a way that shows how great and powerful he was as a president.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
This book would be great to use when teaching my students about the past presidents of the United States. I would focus on Abraham Lincoln specifically with this book and as my students read this book, or we all read it together as a class, we would go through what all happened during his life. Last, I would have us all write a list of why he was such a great president and what all his accomplishments were.

[Tanner Markle]

Title: Abe Lincoln Remembers
Author: Ann Turner
Illustrator: Wendall Minor
Genre: Biography (k-2)
Theme(s): Family, Growing up, Government
Opening line/sentence: When I was little, the cabin we lived in was small with one room and one window.
Brief Book Summary: This is a depiction of Abe Lincoln's life. It covers the events from a young age until the north won the civil war.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature)
This is a fresh way to approach Abraham Lincoln for very young children--verse spoken by Abe Lincoln that describes how he felt about the events that shaped his life and the life of the nation. "I'd fold up my legs like an umbrella and sit quiet at the back of the schoolroom, gulping down learning like water." After the Civil War, he was glad "the country is not divided and the slaves are free...though when I look in the mirror, I see how sorrow has dug lines in my cheeks." An adult will have to explain words like "sorrow" and "legislature," but the simple text does throw light on what this famous American might have been thinking. The author's note acknowledges that this is a work of fiction based on historical facts, an "imaginative exploration of... how Lincoln might have thought and felt about the events that shaped him into one of our greatest presidents." The warmly colored illustrations seem a bit stiff but there is always a thoughtfulness to Lincoln's expressions that ties in well with the text. As Lincoln worries at Gettysburg that he his speech a "short, poor thing," we see him downcast, surrounded by gravestones, holding a single small paper bearing the words of the Gettysburg address. 2001, Harper Trophy, $5.99. Ages 5 to 10.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Publishers ([New York N.Y.]:), PUBLISHED: [2003] c2001.)

Professional Recommendation/Review #2:Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature)
A moving text in poetic prose helps the reader to imagine Lincoln's thoughts about that historic evening when he went to Ford's Theater. He reflects on his childhood, his struggles to obtain an education, his political life and his sorrow about the war that has recently ended. This fictional book is well-based in factual information with a historical note in the back. Minor's full- color illustrations are well researched and present an accurate, realistic vision of Lincoln's life and times. This book could be used effectively with all ages in studies of Lincoln, the Civil War or biographies. 2001, HarperCollins, $15.95 and $15.89. Ages 5 up.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2001.)

Response to Two Professional Reviews: Only one of the two reviews acknowledged what I believe to be the most important part of the book. At the end there is a 2 page segment filled with the many facts of Abe Lincoln's life. While I agree with the reviews that this is an entertaining young book I still feel that it is important to note the factual back section.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: Again, a helpful element is the change of writing. The book goes through depicting the events of Abe's life and attempts to add background emotions he might've been feeling and at the end the book flips and gives a more accurate depiction of a biography. The story is also written in poetic verse which adds to the intrigue of this biography.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book could be a wonderful introduction into the classic "wax museum" activity. This is where students read & learn about a certain historical figure. Then one day the students come into class dressed as their characters and get to present the story of their historical figure.

[Kendall Coreno]

Title: Abe Lincoln Remembers
Author: Ann Turner
Illustrator: Wendell Minor
Genre: Grades K-2 Biography
Theme(s): History, family, slavery and determination
Opening line/sentence: When I was little, the cabin we lived in was small with one room and one window.
Brief Book Summary: This book talks about the life of Abe Lincoln. It starts off when he is a young boy who lived with his family in a one-window cabin. As the story goes on, Abe grows up and the author discusses how he eventually becomes president and the impact he had on our nation while in office.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: The Horn Book Guide
(3) K-3 Illustrated by Wendell Minor. Abraham Lincoln remembers how he viewed the world as a young, poorly schooled Kentucky boy and reflects on his work as a storekeeper, a lawyer, and finally a politician. Illustrated with large pictures that set the scene and convey character, the free verse text portrays what Lincoln's emotional response to events may have been, rather than offering specific facts about his life. An endnote provides some background material.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Karen Leggett (Children's Literature)
This is a fresh way to approach Abraham Lincoln for very young children--verse spoken by Abe Lincoln that describes how he felt about the events that shaped his life and the life of the nation. "I'd fold up my legs like an umbrella and sit quiet at the back of the schoolroom, gulping down learning like water." After the Civil War, he was glad "the country is not divided and the slaves are free...though when I look in the mirror, I see how sorrow has dug lines in my cheeks." An adult will have to explain words like "sorrow" and "legislature," but the simple text does throw light on what this famous American might have been thinking. The author's note acknowledges that this is a work of fiction based on historical facts, an "imaginative exploration of... how Lincoln might have thought and felt about the events that shaped him into one of our greatest presidents." The warmly colored illustrations seem a bit stiff but there is always a thoughtfulness to Lincoln's expressions that ties in well with the text. As Lincoln worries at Gettysburg that he his speech a "short, poor thing," we see him downcast, surrounded by gravestones, holding a single small paper bearing the words of the Gettysburg address. 2001, Harper Trophy, $5.99. Ages 5 to 10.
(PUBLISHER: HarperCollins Publishers ([New York N.Y.]:), PUBLISHED: [2003] c2001.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: As both reviews state, I believe this book demonstrates a new approach to telling someone else’s life story through free versus rather than stating specific facts. The pictures on each page add to the warm tone of the book and directly tie in with the text.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The point of view this story is told from adds a style that works for this nonfiction piece of writing. Also, located in the back of the book, there is a historical endnote that gives more information about Abe Lincoln, his live and his presidency.
Consideration of Instructional Application: After reading parts of this book, the teacher could conduct a lesson on point of view. Because this book is from first person, the teacher could discuss how this helped make the story more interesting and how it helped further develop the main character of Abe Lincoln.

[Ch_hayley Medsker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abe Lincoln Remembers by Ann Turner is told from the voice of Abe Lincoln. Abe remembers growing up in the backwoods of the midwest, having to work in his father's fields, but always wishing for books and a better life. He remembers taking on jobs, moving on, and trying to "make it" in life. Abe says,"I knew that being tall is not enough to make your way in this world. I needed words for that. When I studied to become a lawyer, I practiced my cases out loud as I walked, learning how to use words like a leading rein on a colt to take people where I wanted. But when I ran for legislature, I saw it would take a deal of tugging to persuade the people that slavery was wrong." The picture books moves through the various stages in Abe Lincolns life, all streaming from his own memories. He tells how it feels to be elected president,along with how it feels to be in charge of a country divided. He says, "the great wound opened in the country and in my chest-the war. The dying grieved me so that I had a joke book in my desk to keep from weeping." It is the thoughts and feelings, while some may be fictitious, are remarkable and sincere nonetheless. While this is a work of historical fiction, the feelings and story in this picture book, is quite informational, and satisfying at the same time. The beautiful illustrations add to the power of Abe's words. The vocabulary and literary devices used in this book would be better suited for intermediate readers that can appreciate and harness the strength of Abe's story.

[Sara Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary
This book tells Abe Lincoln's life story. It is about the major events that shaped his life. The book's last page ends by saying that Abe was going to the play. That was Abe's last day living. The illustrations are beautiful. They were painted by Wendell Minor.

Responses
I gave this book five stars because I thought it was a great book. It is very educational.
This book made me sad when I read the last page. I felt sad because I knew he was going to die during the play.

Classroom Connection
This is a great book to use when teaching children about Abe Lincoln. Children would learn about Abe's childhood and where he grew up. It teaches children about how he was in the Senate before he was president. It also shows the people wanted him to be president. It leads up until his last day.

CCSS Range
According to lexile.com, the lexile rating is 790L. This is a great book to read aloud during fourth grade when students are learning about the presidents. This would also be good to read to children around President's Day. This would be a great book for children to independently read in fourth or fifth grade, depending on the child's lexile range. (less)
 

[Laura Noto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abe Lincoln Remembers is a picture book for 6-9-year olds. It is a story told in Abe Lincoln’s first person voice as he remembers significant times during his life. Some of these times include his childhood at home and school, his first job, highlights of his political career, his feelings about slavery, his wife, the war, and his presidency. This book gives some information about important historical events; however it doesn’t overwhelm the reader with facts and dates. The story ends with him being relieved that his side won the war. He reminisces on his life. “I told Mary that tonight is a time to be happy. As we wait to go see a play… How much has come to pass since then. How much there is still to be done.” The text in the story doesn’t mention his assassination, but a note later in the book does. The last pages contain a historical note and an author’s note. This book does a wonderful job of making Abe Lincoln seem much more lifelike and less like a historical figure.

[Melanie Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abe Lincoln Remembers

Summary: This is a historical book about our former U.S. president. The book includes many different facts from Abraham Lincoln’s life. The illustrations throughout the book work very well with the content provided.

Response: I gave this book five stars because I though it contained many interesting facts about Abe Lincoln, yet it didn’t seem like it’d be boring or difficult for a child to read. I loved that it was historical and still a picture book.

Classroom Connection: This book could be read after learning about Abraham Lincoln. After the story is read students could then pick a different president to find other information on and present their facts to the class. We could then compare and contrast the past presidents to find what each had in common.

CCSS: Abe Lincoln has a lexile measure of 790L. The guided reading level is O and the grade equivalent is 3.8. I believe students from third to fifth grade would be interested in this story.

[Anjanabiswa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Abe Lincoln Remembers is written by Anna Turner and illustrated by Wendell Minor. This book gives a brief description of Abraham Lincoln's life. Abe grew up in a cabin. He went to school for a little while but his father made him do housework. Abe loved to read. Lincoln left home to work on a boat and at a general store. He soon became a lawyer and married his wife Mary. Abraham ran for president and won, he was strong on ending slavery. 

Evaluation of Illustrations and Text: The text is on the left page in large print with three to seven sentences each page. The illustrations are printed with detail and bright and dull colors. 
 
Strategies for Use in the Classroom: I am going to ask students to create small book using construction paper, Students organize thoughts and events from the story to have a short, informational description on Abraham Lincoln.

[Oghafoerkhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a children's book. I read it to my five year old, who just learned about Lincoln in kindergarten. She loved it. I loved the language, very lovely prose, and the beautiful illustrations. The last page end with "I told Mary that tonight is a time to be happy. As we wait to go see a play, I think again of that little house, the small window, the piece of sky with two birds and one squirrel. How much has come to pass since then." My daughter started to tear up, because of course this scene takes place before that eventful trip to Ford's Theater. I recommend this book for any parent of elementary age school children and to teachers of those grades.

[Meltha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely, first-person account of what Lincoln might have thought when he looked back on his life, when he was a child, his first jobs, his marriage, his children, the war, and the end of the war. Then they get you in the gut when he says he and his wife are going to a play that night. The pictures are clear and engaging, and the text, written in what could be called open form poetry, works very well. The notes at the end cover a brief biography of Lincoln's life, written at a significantly higher reading level. This would be a good supplementary text to a discussion of Lincoln's life at up to perhaps a fourth grade level.

[Brittany L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a book to read around President's Day. This story is a historical history picture book for young children. It is told from Abe Lincoln's point of view. He tells in very simple terms, his life story, from growing up in his log cabin to becoming the President of the United States. The illustrations are paintings by Wendell Minor, and are fabulous! Children can learn a lot from this book, and understand everything they read. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went to three libraries looking for a book to read to my first graders when I taught them about Abraham Lincoln, and this one was the eventual winner. Beautiful pictures, poetic language, a very grave and serious tone regarding slavery and war, and not too much text per page. I think it was a challenge for them in terms of its emotional seriousness, but I was glad I chose it and the fact that it made some of them feel sad seemed right to me given the subject matter.