Overview

Based on a little-known tale from Abraham Lincoln's childhood, this charming picture book written by debut author Shari Swanson and illustrated by acclaimed artist Chuck Groenink tells a classic story of a boy, his dog, and a daring rescue. Deeply researched and charmingly told, this is the true story of one extra-special childhood rescue--a dog named Honey. Long before Abraham Lincoln led the nation or signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he was just a barefoot kid running around Knob Creek, Kentucky, setting animals free from traps and snatching frogs out of the jaws of snakes. One day, young Abe found a stray dog with a broken leg and named him Honey. He had no idea that the scruffy pup would find his way into Abe's heart, become his best friend, and--one fateful day--save his life. Whether shared at home or in the classroom, this is a good choice for young readers interested in true stories of U.S. presidents. * Junior Library Guild Selection * 2021 Treasure State Award Finalist (Montana) * Bank Street College's Best Books of the Year for 2021 (Ages 5-9 History) * 2022 Kentucky Bluegrass Award Winner (K-2) *

Full Product Details

9780062699008

Table of Contents

Reviews

Groenink chooses a lush and delicious sun-drenched palette for his upbeat and lively full-bleed gouache, acrylic, and pencil artwork. --School Library Journal Praise for Dear Daisy Dunnington Each of the letters is fulsomely illustrated with rich detail and rubbery figures. --Kirkus Reviews Praise for Santa Clauses An oversize format gives plenty of room for intriguing illustrations with a muted palette and an Old World flavor. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for The Backwards Birthday Party ''The mixed-media illustrations hum with energy, movement, and color, capturing the spirit of this anything-goes celebration. --Publishers Weekly Praise for Under A Pig Tree Groenink's (Santa Clauses) witty, accomplished artwork vaults the book into the memorable category. With easy grace, he parodies Greek vases, Chinese porcelain, and medieval Books of Hours, while adding plenty of pig sass of his own. --Publishers Weekly The energy of art and text move seamlessly down to nighttime--and a young reader's nap or bedtime. Excellent layout, text, and illustrations make for a thoroughly satisfying story. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for Hank's Big Day An eye-catching picture book with an intrepid little hero. --ALA Booklist (starred review) Working in the warm, rich hues of once upon a time, Groenink (Rufus the Writer) nimbly shifts between suburban ordinary and fairy tale extraordinary. --Publishers Weekly Praise for How To Be a Hero Groenink uses pencil and Photoshop to create warm, low-saturation scenes with an old-fashioned lilt, using color judiciously in fantasy scenes. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) [Groenink's] forest creatures are as adorable as it gets. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) Praise for William's Winter Nap [The] mixed-media artwork creates a strong sense of the setting and the appealing characters. --ALA Booklist (starred review) Praise for I Am Not A Fox Groenink's digital illustrations are softly textured and showcase a very appealing title character. --Kirkus Reviews

Groenink chooses a lush and delicious sun-drenched palette for his upbeat and lively full-bleed gouache, acrylic, and pencil artwork. --School Library Journal Praise for Dear Daisy Dunnington Each of the letters is fulsomely illustrated with rich detail and rubbery figures. --Kirkus Reviews Praise for The Backwards Birthday Party ''The mixed-media illustrations hum with energy, movement, and color, capturing the spirit of this anything-goes celebration. --Publishers Weekly The energy of art and text move seamlessly down to nighttime--and a young reader's nap or bedtime. Excellent layout, text, and illustrations make for a thoroughly satisfying story. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for Hank's Big Day An eye-catching picture book with an intrepid little hero. --ALA Booklist (starred review) Working in the warm, rich hues of once upon a time, Groenink (Rufus the Writer) nimbly shifts between suburban ordinary and fairy tale extraordinary. --Publishers Weekly Praise for How To Be a Hero Groenink uses pencil and Photoshop to create warm, low-saturation scenes with an old-fashioned lilt, using color judiciously in fantasy scenes. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for William's Winter Nap [The] mixed-media artwork creates a strong sense of the setting and the appealing characters. --ALA Booklist (starred review) Praise for I Am Not A Fox Groenink's digital illustrations are softly textured and showcase a very appealing title character. --Kirkus Reviews Praise for Santa Clauses An oversize format gives plenty of room for intriguing illustrations with a muted palette and an Old World flavor. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for Under A Pig Tree Groenink's (Santa Clauses) witty, accomplished artwork vaults the book into the memorable category. With easy grace, he parodies Greek vases, Chinese porcelain, and medieval Books of Hours, while adding plenty of pig sass of his own. --Publishers Weekly [Groenink's] forest creatures are as adorable as it gets. --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

""This heartwarming story of a boy and his beloved dog opens the door for further study of our 16th president."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Swanson's story reads aloud well. Groenink's appealing digital illustrations portray young Abe and Honey within idyllic Kentucky landscapes and haunting, torch-lit cavern scenes. An enjoyable, Lincoln-themed picture book."" -- Booklist ""Animal lovers and history lovers alike will adore this true story about a beloved president and his cherished pet."" -- Dena at Batch of Books

Groenink chooses a lush and delicious sun-drenched palette for his upbeat and lively full-bleed gouache, acrylic, and pencil artwork. --School Library Journal Praise for Dear Daisy Dunnington Each of the letters is fulsomely illustrated with rich detail and rubbery figures. --Kirkus Reviews Praise for Santa Clauses An oversize format gives plenty of room for intriguing illustrations with a muted palette and an Old World flavor. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for The Backwards Birthday Party ''The mixed-media illustrations hum with energy, movement, and color, capturing the spirit of this anything-goes celebration. --Publishers Weekly Praise for Under A Pig Tree Groenink's (Santa Clauses) witty, accomplished artwork vaults the book into the memorable category. With easy grace, he parodies Greek vases, Chinese porcelain, and medieval Books of Hours, while adding plenty of pig sass of his own. --Publishers Weekly Praise for Hank's Big Day An eye-catching picture book with an intrepid little hero. --ALA Booklist (starred review) Working in the warm, rich hues of once upon a time, Groenink (Rufus the Writer) nimbly shifts between suburban ordinary and fairy tale extraordinary. --Publishers Weekly Praise for How To Be a Hero Groenink uses pencil and Photoshop to create warm, low-saturation scenes with an old-fashioned lilt, using color judiciously in fantasy scenes. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) [Groenink's] forest creatures are as adorable as it gets. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) Praise for William's Winter Nap [The] mixed-media artwork creates a strong sense of the setting and the appealing characters. --ALA Booklist (starred review) Praise for I Am Not A Fox Groenink's digital illustrations are softly textured and showcase a very appealing title character. --Kirkus Reviews The energy of art and text move seamlessly down to nighttime--and a young reader's nap or bedtime. Excellent layout, text, and illustrations make for a thoroughly satisfying story. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Groenink chooses a lush and delicious sun-drenched palette for his upbeat and lively full-bleed gouache, acrylic, and pencil artwork. --School Library Journal Praise for Dear Daisy Dunnington Each of the letters is fulsomely illustrated with rich detail and rubbery figures. --Kirkus Reviews Praise for The Backwards Birthday Party ''The mixed-media illustrations hum with energy, movement, and color, capturing the spirit of this anything-goes celebration. --Publishers Weekly Praise for Under A Pig Tree Groenink's (Santa Clauses) witty, accomplished artwork vaults the book into the memorable category. With easy grace, he parodies Greek vases, Chinese porcelain, and medieval Books of Hours, while adding plenty of pig sass of his own. --Publishers Weekly The energy of art and text move seamlessly down to nighttime--and a young reader's nap or bedtime. Excellent layout, text, and illustrations make for a thoroughly satisfying story. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for William's Winter Nap [The] mixed-media artwork creates a strong sense of the setting and the appealing characters. --ALA Booklist (starred review) Praise for Santa Clauses An oversize format gives plenty of room for intriguing illustrations with a muted palette and an Old World flavor. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Praise for Hank's Big Day An eye-catching picture book with an intrepid little hero. --ALA Booklist (starred review) Working in the warm, rich hues of once upon a time, Groenink (Rufus the Writer) nimbly shifts between suburban ordinary and fairy tale extraordinary. --Publishers Weekly Praise for How To Be a Hero Groenink uses pencil and Photoshop to create warm, low-saturation scenes with an old-fashioned lilt, using color judiciously in fantasy scenes. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) [Groenink's] forest creatures are as adorable as it gets. --Publishers Weekly (starred review) Praise for I Am Not A Fox Groenink's digital illustrations are softly textured and showcase a very appealing title character. --Kirkus Reviews

This heartwarming story of a boy and his beloved dog opens the door for further study of our 16th president. -- Kirkus Reviews Swanson's story reads aloud well. Groenink's appealing digital illustrations portray young Abe and Honey within idyllic Kentucky landscapes and haunting, torch-lit cavern scenes. An enjoyable, Lincoln-themed picture book. -- Booklist Animal lovers and history lovers alike will adore this true story about a beloved president and his cherished pet. -- Dena at Batch of Books

Author Information

Shari Swanson grew up in the Los Angeles area, attending both UCLA (B.A. English Literature) and USC (J.D. Law). After many years practicing law, she decided to switch to her dream job of teaching middle school, which immersed her in the wonderful world of children's literature and prompted her return to school to get her MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Shari traveled twice to Kentucky to walk where young Abe walked, plunk rocks into his Knob Creek, and descend into dark and creepy caverns where she could picture young Abe, trapped and hoping desperately that Honey would bring back help. She loves to think about unsung heroes in history, like Honey, without whom we may not have the heroes we read about today. Shari lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, Todd, and their beloved dog, Honey. You can find her at www.shariswanson.com. Chuck Groenink hails from an overgrown village among the peat bogs in the north of the Netherlands, where he spent his formative years climbing trees, drawing, reading, and cycling. He's a history buff who attended the Artez Institute of Visual Arts in Kampen and now lives in Kinderhook, New York, with his wife, dog, and two cats. Look for him at www.chuckgroenink.com.

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