Abe Lincoln's Dream

By Lane Smith

From the bestselling author of It's a Book comes a funny, touching tale about the legacy of America's greatest president.

When a schoolgirl gets separated from her tour of the White House and finds herself in the Lincoln bedroom, she also discovers the ghost of the great man himself. Together they embark on a journey across the country to answer Lincoln's questions and quiet his concerns about the nation for which he gave his life. This wholly original tale is signature Lane Smith; Abe Lincoln's Dream is funny, touching, and surprising in a way only possible from this master picture book creator.

This title has Common Core connections.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Oct 16, 2012
• ISBN: 9781466820210

Lane Smith

Lane Smith is the creator of a shelf of books, including the New York Times bestselling It's a Book and its companion, It's a Little Book. The beautiful Caldecott Honor-winning Grandpa Green can also be found there alongside his brilliantly quirky collaborations with Jon Scieszka including The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. He has also illustrated Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach and collaborated on the conceptual design of the Disney movie adaptation. In 2012, the Eric Carle Museum named him a Carle Artist for "lifelong innovation in the field of children's picture books," and in 2014 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Illustrators. In 2017 he won the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal for There Is a Tribe of Kids. Lane Smith and his wife, the designer Molly Leach, live in a small town in rural Connecticut, USA.

Reviews for Abe Lincoln's Dream

[childrenslitpdx · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Abe Lincoln's Dream is a book about a little girl, who, while on a tour at the White House, runs into the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, who is fretting over the state of the union. As they start to talk, she wants him to see how the U.S. has progressed, and she takes him on a tour, with him flying of course, as he asks her questions about the nation and it's people.

[sceres1-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book, at first it was difficult to follow with how the text was laid out. Once you figured out where the text was going it was an easy read. This was a story about Abe Lincoln's ghost and how one little girl, Quincy, could see him. He was wondering around the Gettysburg Address and she came across Abe and she showed him all the wonderful things that have changed since he was president. Some things included equality, states being united, and whether or not "man fuss 'n' fight with his fellow man." This book is really cute, and the illustrations are very powerful. They show great detail. The message of this book was about Abe Lincoln's dream and how far United States has come since.

[lriver5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book for a variety of reasons. I found that the use of real life events mixed with fiction brings the book to life! The informational writings at the end of the book where very interesting to read, especially about the fact that the dream that is portrayed in this book is one Abe Lincoln actually commonly had! A dream he had the very day of his assassination as well! It is a beautiful book about the progression of the world since his time and just how far we have come. I also really think it is great that it shows that we are still working on things to this day as well! As the young girl points out after Lincoln questions fighting with our fellow man, "we're still working on it." I also like how the font of the words vary from page to page, having the reader look at everything on the pages as to not miss any part of the story!

[krbarton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a great book which shows children important places in the United States. The illustration is very interesting and appealing to children. It also uses a variety of fonts which makes it a fun and unique read. Would be great to use in a history lesson with young students.

[robertalea-223265 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I do enjoy Lane Smith's work.

[marycha-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The text and illustration were really cool. I also find the choice of darker coloring went really well with the book and Lincoln for some reason. I think kids can find this book inspiring.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A young African American girl puts the ghost of Abraham Lincoln, haunted by unfinished business, to rest. One of the most unusual and enjoyable Lincoln stories for young people I have ever seen.

[bookslesstravelled · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this fun story on OverDrive. I really enjoyed this one. It's about Abe Lincoln's ghost haunting the White House, and the little girl who befriends him.

[meganluke_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This visually appealing picture book follows a young girl, Quincy, on a journey with Abe Lincoln's ghost as she shows him the impact his life and presidency had on the United States.

[rnc0909 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Gorgeous and yet, somehow the illustrations feel a little creepy, too. :) Based on a factual dream (I know from the note in the back - thank you author!) Abraham Lincoln had and intermixed with a present day little girl (unfazed by the creepiness of it all), the book itself reads like a surrealistic reality or a dream, which feels a tad confusing/disorienting at first, but I suppose dreams will do that. :) In spite of the quirks, this is an overall well done book and I definitely recommend it. Plus, the little girl in the story is just too cute to pass up. :)