Tomorrow is Abraham Lincoln’s birthday and these are my favorite biographies about him.

 

Abe Lincoln’s Hat

By Martha Brenner and Illustrated by Donald Cook

Published by Random House Books for Young Readers

Abraham Lincoln was absent-minded.  To stay on top of things, he kept his letters, court notes, contracts and his checkbook in his top hat.  Colorful watercolor drawings illustrate this delightful book.

 

 

 

 

 

Lincoln: A Photobiography

By Russell Freedman

Published by Clarion Books

I have read this well illustrated biography of Abraham Lincoln many times.  Freedman skillfully covers Lincoln’s life and gives a moving account of his death shortly after he was elected to his second term in office.  This book won many honors: the Newbery Medal, the Jefferson Cup Award and the Golden Kite Honor Book Award.

 

 

 

Commander in Chief: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War 

By Albert Marrin

Published by Dutton Juvenile

The theme of Marrin’s book is Lincoln the war leader.  Marrin portrays Lincoln as a cautious and principled man who by meeting the challenge of our national crisis, the Civil War, became our greatest president.  This well-researched and fascinating biography was named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Booklist Editors’ Choice.  It holds a special place in my Civil War library.