Starred Review, School Library Journal, September 2008:
"What you can know for sure is that this is a book you should add to your shelves."
Starred Review, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, October 2008:
"[J]ust how do you handle a legend? Deborah Hopkinson has found a way, and it's a winner."
Starred Review, Booklist, September 15, 2008:
"This unusual and often amusing picture book offers much more than an illustrated reminiscence."
Here's an ingenious historical fiction picture book about the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It’s a tale of two boys who get themselves into more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store.
The year is 1816. Abe is only seven years old, and his pal, Austin, is ten. Abe and Austin decide to journey down to Knob Creek. The water looks scary and deep, and Austin points out that they don’t know how to swim. Nevertheless, they decide to traverse it. I won’t tell you what happens, but let’s just say that our country wouldn’t be the same if Austin hadn’t been there to help his friend.
From the Hardcover edition.