How do you keep history books fresh for kids? How do you present the information na new and engaging way? Jonah Winter and Alan Schroeder have some good ideas.
Schroeder’s new book, Abe Lincoln: His Wit and Wisdom from A-Z is illustrated by John O’Brien.
As the title promises, this is an alphabet book that sheds some light on the key events, people and places in Lincoln’s life. Scattered throughout the book are also quotes by Abraham Lincoln–short, pithy statements that have lasted through the years.This is a very fun and interesting read.
O’Brien’s illustrations really enhance the detailed information.
Jonah Winter’s new book, illustrated by Barry Blitt, is entitled The Founding Fathers: Those Horse-Ridin’, Fiddle-Playin’, Book-Readin’, Gun-Totin’ Gentlemen Who Started America. That’s a mouthful, isn’t it!
As you might surmise from the title, the book takes a humorous tone while providing lots of facts and figures, quotes, and the good, bad, and ugly character traits of each one. Each Founding Father gets a two-page spread with a full-page portrait (name, sobriquet and dates included) along with a casual, colloquially phrased summary biography and then lots of stats presented briefly and intriguingly: height, weight, political leaning, education, wealth, and religious belief, in addition to hobbies, nickname and position on the Boston Tea Party.
Two wonderful books that kids will certainly enjoy reading because of the excellent information and the way they are formatted.
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