The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary

Happy Nonfiction Monday! Here is the first of many reviews of Cybils nominees in the Nonfiction Middle Grade/Young Adult category.


The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary by Candace Fleming

Full of photos, clippings, letters, political cartoons, and more, this book offers a comprehensive look at the lives of Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln in an impressive and thoroughly researched scrapbook-style format.

It tells the story of both Abraham and Mary's very different upbringings, their courtship and marriage, Abraham's ascent into politics and his presidency, and much much more. Along the way, Candace Fleming presents many interesting and captivating stories about the Lincolns including Mary's spending habits, Lincoln's love interests before he met Mary, and the tragic deaths of three of their children.

What's most impressive is that the writing is not dry. I found myself wanting to read more and enjoyed the fact that the information was presented in chunks and not long, boring, chapters. While some readers may initially be put off by the book's size, they can control how much they want to read, whether it be just browsing or reading the book from cover to cover.

While the reading level is for a young audience, it would definitely make a great choice for older history buffs, especially Civil War enthusiasts. I also think it would make an excellent addition to a social studies classroom.

Fleming has given us a book that puts a human touch to the lives of the legendary couple in an approachable, entertaining manner.

More Info:

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (October 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375836187
• ISBN-13: 978-0375836183
• Source: Review copy from publisher
  

Visit Picture Book of the Day for more Nonfiction Monday selections!

The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum by Kate Bernheimer, Illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli

The Girl in the Castle Inside the Museum by Kate Bernheimer, Illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli

Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade (February 12, 2008)

This is a picture book unlike any book I've ever read. The premise is that there is a girl who lives in a castle inside a museum. The castle is encased in a glass globe, and when children come to the musem, they press their noses against the glass globe and get a glimpse of the girl in the castle. When the children leave at night, she gets lonely even though she is surrounded by beautiful things. At night she dreams of children her own size visiting her, and "sometimes the girl in the castle even dreams about you." Her solution for overcoming her loneliness is to hang a picture of you, the reader, on the wall beside her bed. The last line of the book, "Do you see her? She sees you." EEEK!


Jen Robinson sums it up the best when she says the book is "deliciously creepy." I really like it because it is different, and has an ethereal, dream-like aura that takes me to another world. Nicoletta Ceccoli's soft clay model, acrylic, and digital media illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and in fact, they are the most beautiful illustrations I've seen in a picture book yet. They, along with the story, will captivate the reader.



Kate Bernheimer has hit a home run with her first children's book, and I will definitely look for more from her in future. I think many kids will love it, but I would be wary of reading it to smaller kids who may be a little frightened at the thought of the girl watching them. However, some kids totally eat stuff like this up, so I'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not it's the right choice for your child.




Other Blog Reviews:
Jen Robinson's Book Page
Book Buds KidLit Reviews

Strollerderby
Provo City Library Children's Book Review

Princess Baby by Karen Katz

Princess Baby written and illustrated by Karen Katz.

Reading level: Ages 1-5

Hardcover: 32 pages

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random House Children’s Books (January 8, 2008)

In Karen Katz’s newly-released picture book, a little baby is frustrated because no one will call her by her real name. “Please don’t call me Little Lamb, and never ever Sweet Gumdrop. Please call me by my real name,” she pleads. But what is her real name? Let’s see…she has a shiny crown, a fancy dress, and sparkly shoes, and everyone in her stuffed-animal kingdom is happy. Can you guess?

With Karen Katz’s typical vibrant illustrations and round-faced cherubic characters, Princess Baby is a cute book that makes a great read aloud, especially if you have your own little princess. Kids will probably get a kick out of all the nicknames, and I’m sure some nicknames will sound very familiar. They’ll also have fun guessing her name as they go through the clues she gives us. As I was reading though, I couldn’t help thinking that Princess Baby sure was a little spoiled, but then again, aren’t all princesses?

Check out this link at Random House Kids for fun discussion questions and printable activities, including a printout where your little princess can make her very own crown!

Karen Katz has another Princess Baby book planned for 2009.