Abe Lincoln’s Dream by Lane Smith.  Ages 2+ (Publisher rec 5+).  Roaring Brook Press.  Oct. 2012.  32 pages.  ISBN:  978-1596436084.  $16.99  Fiction.

Quick Summary:  A little girl runs into the ghost of Abraham Lincoln while she is on a tour of the White House.  President Lincoln asks the girl questions about how things have changed since 1865.  She goes with him to show him how things have changed.

Our Experience Reading this Book:  We highly, highly recommend this book.  I am so impressed with the illustrations.  This book makes me wish I knew more about art so I could describe this book better.  It gave me chills thinking about what we would say to someone, anyone really, if they asked us how things have changed since 1865.  It was interesting contemplating If we’ve met and how we’ve met some of the ideals that were at least presented as important to America in 1865.

My son enjoyed this book and had me read it to him again and again.  He loves how the dogs are afraid to go into THAT room — Abe Lincoln’s room.  He thought that was fascinating.  Though how much he understands, despite me trying to explain it to him, is unknown to me.

We are starting to teach my son about jokes and there are several jokes in this book that we’ve been repeating to each other.  The idea of the ghost of Abraham Lincoln cracking jokes with a little girl is heartwarming.

This book won’t do much to teach children about Abe Lincoln, but it is a beautiful and whimsical introduction that strikes me as being more for the adult reading the book than the child.  If the images from this book are the first images that my son has of Abraham Lincoln, I will be thrilled.  I got pretty choked up reading this book and I have definitely found myself thinking about this book during various random times.  This book is hauntingly beautiful.

There’s nothing for me to change or edit when reading this book to my son.  We’ve read it many times and we’ve enjoyed it the first time as much as the last.

Where Obtained:  Library.

FTC Disclosures: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” If you click on the link and purchase the book, I will receive an affiliate commission.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Author/Illustrator Website:

• http://www.lanesmithbooks.com/LaneSmithBooks/Lane_Smith_Books.html
  

Some of my Favorite Reviews of this Book:

• http://www.slj.com/2012/12/books-media/reviews/pick-of-the-day/pick-of-the-day-abe-lincolns-dream/#_
  
• http://www.hbook.com/2013/01/blogs/calling-caldecott/abe-lincolns-dream/
• http://www.onceupon.com/cowsbooks/?p=212

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I’m participating in the Kid Lit Blog Hop over at MotherDaughterBookReviews.  Go check out all the bloggers talking about great children’s books!  This time there are over a hundred different links.  Lots of great things to discover.