Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books By: Kay Winters

While learning about various presidents or while celebrating Abraham Lincoln's birthday, this is great resource to simply explain Abraham's life to younger elementary students.  A child appropriate story life accompanied with beautiful illustrations allows this to be a great resource for young elementary classrooms.

Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books

Author: Kay Winters - Kay Winters' work was first published in "Highlights" children's magazine.  After moving to Pennsylvania with her family, Kay Winters worked as a teacher, college professor, and numerous other educational purposes.  During her teaching career, she co-wrote her first published book.  Upon her retirement, she began writing children's books full time.  She also spends her time presenting various teaching workshops and visiting various schools.  Kay Winter Biography

Genre: Nonfiction

Grade Level: Pre K - 2

Theme/Skill:  Historical Biography

Brief Synopsis: This is a biography of Abraham Lincoln’s life.  The author starts with his birth continues his story until he is elected president.  The author emphasizes Abe’s love for learning through reading books.

Pre-Reading Activity: What is a biography?  What do you know about Abraham Lincoln?  What is Abraham Lincoln known for?  What did Abraham Lincoln become when he grew up?  On a map, the class can mark Lincoln’s route – Kentucky to Knob Creek to Cumberland Trail to Indiana to Ohio River to Salem, Illinois using my assistance if needed. Before reading the story, make sure students understand what a pone and milk sickness are.

Post-Reading Activity: What differences did you notice between Abraham’s schooling and yours? Where did Abraham practice his letters?  Where did Abraham read?  Brainstorm ideas of how students would help Abraham Lincoln learn to read.  After hearing everyone’s ideas, students will be given a worksheet stating “If Abraham was a young boy now, I would teach him to read by . . . ?”  Early finishers will be allowed to draw a picture while their classmates finish filling in their thoughts.

Carpenter, N. Winters, K. (2003) Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books.  New York: Simon and Schuster. Grades Pre K – 2.