Abe's Honest Words

• Abe's Honest Words
• author: Doreen Rappaport  http://www.doreenrappaport.com/ 
• illustrator:  Kadir Nelson  http://www.kadirnelson.com/
• medium: oil

• year of publication:  2008
• publisher city:  New York, New York
• publisher:  Hyperion Books for Children
• ISBN:  978-1-42310408-7

Annotation:  Abe's Honest Words tells the story of Abraham Lincoln, from his childhood in Kentucky to his role as Commander in Chief of the United States, to his untimely death.  The narrative is accompanied by artwork and portions of Lincoln's speeches.

 Personal Thoughts:  This picturebook is an invaluable tool for teaching lessons on one of our most treasured American heroes.  Rappaport's text is interspersed with historical facts that combine with Nelson's beautiful artwork and make Lincoln a more human character.  We see Lincoln age; see him run for office and lose, try and fail.  We see him persevere and make a tough decision that changed the direction of the entire country forever.  Highly recommended.

***curricular connection: 5th grade U.S. History, Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Emancipation, Slavery, Confederate States

***Lesson Plan - Use construction paper to make Lincoln beards and stovepipe hats.  Have students wear their beards and hats while reading passages from Abe's Honest Words.  Then discuss what the passages mean.