A distinctive picture book biography of Abraham Lincoln has an engaging tone and singular appearance. Authors Amy L. Cohn and Suzy Schmidt draw children into their narrative from the outset: “See that tall, tall man in that tall black hat? Know who he is? That’s right, he’s the man on the penny—Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth president of the United States.” Throughout the book, they make the reader or listener an active observer of Lincoln’s life while conveying his humor, his intelligence, and his warmth. They are also clear about his pain and frustration at events in the nation as the country moved toward and through civil war. David A. Johnson’s muted illustrations for the tall, slim volume were done in ink and watercolor washes. There are full of angular lines, echoing their subject, yet maintain a friendly, folksy feel that complements the text. Sources would have been a welcome addition to an otherwise notable volume. (Ages 5-9)

With a down-home, folksy flavor, Amy L. Cohn and Suzy Schmidt have written an unusual biography of Abe Lincoln that is sure to become a perennial classic.

In their first collaboration as storytellers since FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA, Amy L. Cohn and Suzy Schmidt tell Lincoln's story from his birth to his untimely death. Begining with his humble start in a log cabin in Kentucky, the authors take us through his young life working on the family farm, learning to read and write on his own with only the crudest schooling, his early love of knowledge, and the sad times when he lost his mother. They delve into his adult life as a lawyer, a father, a husband, a politician, a military leader and a president - all the while exploring the many facets of his character - his kindness, his wisdom, his compassion, and his wonderful, quirky humor. Readers will relish this flavor-rich biography that portrays a favorite American hero with rare sensitivity.