Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend)

This historical fiction picture book introduces the audience to Abe Lincoln’s friend Benjamin Austin Gollaher- Austin for short- in a very creative and captivating way. It tells the story of their friendship and how Austin saved Abe Lincoln’s life. Abe and Austin loved to go outside and play with each other. One day, Abe and Austin went to the river and they decide to try and cross it. Austin goes first and walks over the tree. Abe goes next but then falls into the water. This is where the book and the story becomes very creative. The author talks to the audience and the illustrator throughout the book. She explains how Abe and Austin would not have been foolish and walked over the tree to cross the river. Deborah, the author, changes the story and explains how Abe and Austin would have crawled across the river on the tree. Austin, again makes it safely across, and Abe falls into the rushing water. The author yells at the illustrator to make the river less “noisy” and how he needs to make sure that Austin is paying attention to Abe. Austin saves Abe from the river. The story fast forwards and explains how Lincoln and his family moved away shortly after but how there are documentations that Abe refers to Austin in a quote. Lastly, the story explains the moral of the story- that what we do matters even if we do not end up in history books. Austin saved Abe’s life and if it wasn’t for Austin doing that Abe may never have done what he did. That leaves us having no idea where we would be in our country today.

First of all, I would use this book for upper elementary grades. They would truly appreciate all that the book has to offer. The book has very big, colorful font and the illustrations are spectacular. In some of the illustrations, you can see his hand and his paintbrush finishing the image. I think students would really appreciate the conversation between the author, the students, and the illustrator. The author talks aloud during the story about her writing process and the events going on in the story. She asks the audience rhetorical questions and says things that make anyone who reads the story stop and think. This book would be a great way to tie in a lesson explaining the roles of the author, illustrator, and the audience. The book is also very funny. The author jokes with the illustrator and makes the story very intriguing. There are points in the story where the illustrator includes captions in the actual images. I would want my students to create a short story were they too can use some of the creative ideas done throughout the book. As a future teacher, I would want to use this book when discussing Abe Lincoln’s life and slavery. I would want my students to be able to sort what is fact and fiction about this book. For example, I would love to see if any of them could find out any information about Austin. Was he a real person? Did Abe Lincoln every say something about him when he was older? This book also allows for teachers to discuss the moral of stories. The moral of this story brings up a good point that everyone makes a difference in the world. I think the way it is explained could really hit home with the students. I definitely think this is a story that will have to be read twice, maybe even three times, so students can really pick up the details and enjoy the book completely. But this is a historical fiction picture book that will be used in my classroom! 

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend)

Author: Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrations: John Hendrix

Year Published: 2008