Abe's Fish A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln by Jen Bryant illustrated Amy June Bates*

 Three sentences in Abraham Lincoln's first official biography inspired Ms. Bryant to write this picture book. (Abraham Lincoln: A History by John G. Nicolay and John Hay, published in 1890)

Abraham is thrilled to be issued the task to fish for their dinner. On his way home he encounters a soldier returning from the War of 1812. Remembering how his mother instructed them to be kind to soldiers, he gives his fish to the soldier. He goes home without dinner and goes to bed with a growling stomach. A choice like this obviously fostered his character development and the great man he came to be. 

I love the illustrations. The book is tall and thin like Abe Lincoln! The additional facts about Lincoln are fascinating. 

The Good Shepherd and the Stubborn Sheep written & illustrated by Hannah E. Harrison*

 George the sheep introduces the reader to typical sheep behavior and why they need a Shepherd. Then he relates how he ran away from the Shepherd when it was haircut time and the ramifications of his actions. This book depicts Psalm 23 and God's redemptive love well. Ms. Harrison offers other scripture references about shepherds and sheep at the end. 

I laughed out loud at some of George's descriptions (we have a pasture of sheep next to our house and witness these behaviors on a regular basis).

 I did not care for some aspects of the illustrations (I LOVE Ms. Harrison's artwork in her other picture books)-some scenes/images seemed static.

*Highly recommend.  

-Borrowed from the library.

How a Bear Became a Book by Annette Bay Pimentel illustrated by Faith Pray

 A unique format to relay how Alan Alexander Milne and Ernest Howard Shepard were brought together to create the Winnie the Pooh books. I had not known that they experimented with layout and were innovative in their methods and ideas.

I found the set-up a bit confusing at first (Winnie the Pooh-talks back & forth with the narrator ). Younger kids may not find the book engaging. In the beginning the focus is on how a book becomes a book, not on A.A. Milne & Ernest Shepard.

I liked reading the author's and illustrator's notes more than the actual story.

-Borrowed from the library.

Our Little Adventure at Christmas by Tabitha Paige*

 Sarah Mackenzie recently interviewed Mrs. Paige on RAR. Mrs. Paige, a certified speech pathologist, a mother, and an artist/author, has written and illustrated numerous beautiful board books. 

Each Christmas a badger decorates his favorite evergreen tree.This Christmas, however, a storm tears through the forest and rips off his treasures. Badger is sad. His friend, Red Bird, witnesses Badger's reaction and summons other forest friends to gather treasures to redecorate the tree for Badger.

Rhyming text with provided activities in the back to revisit the story.

*Highly recommend. I requested at least one other book by her via ILL.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ringside, 1925 Views from the Scopes Trial by Jen Bryant

 A novel in verse

Through nine different fictional characters points of view, readers witness the Scope trial unfold. The small TN town, Dayton, hosts two of the nation's best speakers, Clarence Darrow and  W.J. Bryan, to debate about teaching evolution in schools. Although the jury decides that J.T. Scope is guilty of breaking the TN law, the author's fictional characters gravitate towards the theory of evolution and individuals who purport it . 

Christian characters who hold fast to a seven day creation without evolution are portrayed as idiots and ignorant.

The novel was very engaging and interesting. I was frustrated how it depicted Christians who believe in the Bible's seven day creation account and that the Bible is not a substandard to science. Reading this novel with teens would provide plenty of topics for discussion!

-Borrowed via ILL.

Amazing Grace by Bruce Hindmarsh & Craig Borlase**

 The Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind His Song

I read this biography aloud to my 16/17 year old son, starting at the end of last school year & finishing it today.

What a compelling story. Mr. Hindmarsh and Mr. Borlase relate the story in an engaging manner-from the writing to style to organization. They bring Mr. Newton to life. They also weave in other important historical figures that interacted with Newton throughout the biography. Any biography Mr. Borlase helps write is guaranteed to to be captivating and well-written.

This biography is not dry. It is for the reader who loves people, hearing their life story, and learning how Christ transforms.

**Highly, highly recommend, but see warning.

Warning: Some content is not suitable for younger children. I recommend it for junior high & older. One could read it aloud to elementary & not read certain materials. Newton was initimate with many women when he sailed (no graphic details are included), Newton drinks a lot & is drunk often during a time period, other characters drink to a drunken state, Newton lies & is disrespectful to authority, graphic details how the slaves were treated & also how Newton was abused by P.I., William Cowper's story is included, giving details about his depression, suicide attempts, and his unbelief, cancer (Newton's wife dies from breast cancer), other people's mental breakdowns 

-I thankfully own this book!

The Hatmaker's Sign retold by Candace Fleming illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker*

 A Story by Benjamin Franklin

Ms. Fleming offers modern learners the opportunity to read a story Ben Franklin told Thomas Jefferson to calm his temper. When Thomas Jefferson completes his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, he is proud of it and thinks it is perfect. The Continental Congress, however, finds many areas to change. Jefferson is mad. Franklin then relates this story to him. 

The Author's Note reveals that Franklin's story did not really console Jefferson. Jefferson remains bitter about this incident and tries to justify that his original draft was the best until he dies!

A great book to stimulate discussion: about how the fathers of our country were not perfect, accepting constructive criticism, the result of unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness, how what one writes the first time will probably require many edits to make it a strong piece!

**Definitely include this book with an unusual insight into Franklin & Jefferson when studying the founding of our nation**

-Borrowed from the library