Suggested Readings for Primary
Below please find the Lincoln book list for Young Readers provided by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association.
- Brenner, Martha. Abe Lincoln’s Hat. Illus. by Donald Cook. Random House, 1994.
Gr. K-3.
This easy to read biography uses humorous anecdotes to introduce readers to a very human Lincoln. - Giovanni, Nikki. Rosa. Illus. by Bryan Collier. Henry Holt,
2005.
Gr. K-2.
Nearly 200 years after Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Rosa Parks helped to jump start the twentieth century civil rights movement by refusing to give up her seat on a bus. This inspirational picture-book biography features watercolor and collage images that convey emotion and energy. - Harness, Cheryl. Young Abe Lincoln: The Frontier Days, 1809-1837. National Geographic, 1996.
Gr. K-3.
The first in the series of biographies highlights the childhood and education of our sixteenth president. - Hopkinson, Deborah. Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt. Illus. by James Ransome. Alfred A. Knopf, 1993.
Gr. K-3.
Young Clara, a slave, sews a quilt that becomes a map depicting the route of the Underground Railroad and the way north to freedom. - Krensky, Stephen. Abe Lincoln and the Muddy Pig. Illus. by Gershom Griffith. Aladdin, paper, 2002.
Gr. K-3.
This beginning reader uses the story of the time Lincoln helped a pig in trouble even though he had an important speech to make to introduce readers to the life of this great man. - Turner, Ann. Abe Lincoln Remembers. Illus. by Wendell Minor. HarperCollins, 2001.
Gr. K-2.
In this fictionalized memoir, Abe Lincoln looks back on his life and many accomplishments. This picture book softens some of the rough edges, but young readers will get a thoughtful and engaging introduction to Lincoln’s life. - Winnick, Karen, B. Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers. Boyds Mills, 1996.
Gr. K-3.
When an 11-year-old girl wrote to Lincoln and encouraged him to grow a beard to get more votes, Lincoln took the time to stop on his way to his inauguration to meet her and thank her for her advice, in this picture book based on a true story. - Winter, Jeanette. Follow the Drinking Gourd. Dragonfly, paper, 1988.
Gr. K-3.
Using a folksong, “Peg Leg Joe” teaches slaves the route to freedom. - Winter, Kay. Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books. Illus. by
Nancy Carpenter. Simon & Schuster, 2003.
Gr. K-3.
A picture book with lovely illustrations that focuses on Lincoln’s education and his love for reading. - Adler, David Adler, Wallner, John, Wallner, Alexandra & Wallner, John C. (1990)Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln). New York: Holiday House
- Harness, Cheryl. (2003). Young Abe Lincoln: the frontier days. 1809-1837 New York: National Geographic Society.
- Mara, Wil, Kane, Katherine A & Vargue, Nanci R. (2003) Abraham Lincoln.. New York: Children’s Press
- Monjo,F.N. (1973). Me and Willie and Pa :The Story of Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad.New York: Simon & Schuster Co
- Usel,T.M. (1996).Abraham Lincoln. Mankato,MN :Capstone Press:
- Grabowski,John F. Abraham Lincoln: Civil War President (2001) . 21st Century Publishing and Communications, Inc. :New York.
- Harness, Cheryl. Young Abe Lincoln: the frontier days. 1809-1837 (2003). New York: National Geographic Society
- Mara, Wil, Kane, Katherine A & Vargue, Nanci R. Abraham Lincoln. (2003). New York: Children’s Press
- Sullivan,George. Abraham Lincoln.(2000). New York: Scholastic Books. Hargrove, Jim. Encyclopedia of Presidents: Abraham Lincoln.(1988) Chicago: Children’s Press