There is a wealth of anecdotal and scholarly evidence that Abraham Lincoln abhorred cruelty to animals in a time when that was not a popular sentiment. From saving a nest of birds, to having a photo taken of his long-time pet dog Fido, to the hijinks of his sons and their White House pets, to the pardoning of the Thanksgiving turkey, Jackson selects the most authentic of these stories about Lincoln’s love of creatures great and small and incorporates them into a charming biography for young readers. Not meant to be a complete account of Lincoln’s life, it includes many of the salient facts and historical events, but others are omitted, most notably the deaths of two of his sons. Ettlinger’s meticulous, warmly colored illustrations work seamlessly with the text, emphasizing Lincoln’s humanity by focusing on facial expressions and gestures toward the animals. The result is an accessible, documented introduction to a seminal figure in American history from a perspective that will appeal to young readers. Well done. (author’s note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 7-10)
