{"id":2434532048975,"title":"The Superlative A. Lincoln","handle":"the-superlative-a-lincoln","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan size=\"4\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eThe Superlative A. Lincoln\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ePoems About Our 16th President\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/eileen-r-meyer\"\u003eEileen R. Meyer\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/dave-szalay\"\u003eDave Szalay\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTallest, wisest, most studious–Lincoln was simply superlative!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGet to know the personal side of Honest Abe (his LEAST FAVORITE nickname) through fresh and funny poems expressing his superlative nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbraham Lincoln is famous for many extremes: he was the TALLEST president, who gave the GREATEST SPEECH and had the STRONGEST conviction. But did you know that he was also the MOST DISTRACTED farmer, the MOST TALENTED wrestler and inventor, and the CRAFTIEST storyteller?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Szalay’s charming illustrations are the best, most expressive illustrations of all, championing the tallest, skinniest, smartest, and nicest United States president ever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/ellie-may-on-presidents-day\"\u003eEllie May on Presidents' Day\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/presidential-pets\"\u003ePresidential Pets\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/vinnie-and-abraham\"\u003eVinnie and Abraham\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/white-house-kids-the-perks-pleasures-problems-and-pratfalls-of-the-presidents-children\"\u003eWhite House Kids\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-spread.jpg?4328636426937640804\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEileen R. Meyer, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEileen R. Meyer is the author of several books for young readers, including \u003cem\u003eSweet Dreams, Wild Animals: A Story of Sleep; Ballpark;\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWho’s Faster? Animals on the Move\u003c\/em\u003e. Eileen splits her time between Chicago, Illinois and Jacksonville, Florida.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDave Szalay, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Szalay is an illustrator, teacher, and graphic designer with a deep interest in history. He has an MFA in illustration and teaches at the Myers School of Art at the University of Akron, where he is a tenured Associate Professor. Dave lives in Akron, Ohio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 2020 Illinois Reads selection\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTelling Abraham Lincoln's story in poetry is a tall order, but Meyer pulls it off. \"Come read about a legend— \/ the greatest of the greats; \/ from a poor boy in the backwoods \/ to a president, first-rate.\" The title of each celebratory poem offers a yearbook-style superlative about our 16th president: \"Best Wrestler,\" \"Best Lumberjack,\" \"Who's Tallest?\" Each poem is accompanied by a brief paragraph providing context for the poem. The rhyming poems are mostly in third person, though one is in the voice of Lincoln's stovepipe hat, and there's another from Grace Bedell, who wrote to the president encouraging him to grow a beard. The upbeat poems and string of superlatives, however, leave little room for more nuanced explanations, as in \"Strongest Conviction: Signing the Emancipation,\" from which readers learn that Lincoln freed the slaves but not that they weren't really free yet nor that his commitment to abolition was limited. The portrait orientation of the volume is the right choice for our tall president, and Szalay's attractive, folksy art manages to capture the homespun spirit of the poems. Brown faces appear in the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial, and President Barack Obama and Frederick Douglass make appearances. The collection will make excellent reading aloud in the classroom, a few a day. A tip of the stovepipe hat for making a poetry biography so much fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 19 poems demythologize Abraham Lincoln. Amusing tidbits of information, like why Abe wore such a tall hat, are combined with historical footnotes. Illustrations are fun and educational. Illustrations rendered in a soft, natural palette convey a sense of Lincoln’s humanity by including examples of behavior people do when they think no one is watching. An excellent use of language and recognizable rhyme schemes make this title a wonderful teaching tool for the classroom. These well-researched poems hold readers’ attention and could encourage them to explore additional questions. ­VERDICT A good example of how poetry can also inform. Highly recommended for elementary schools and public libraries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeyer offers a sprightly, lilting poem for every milestone and legendary quality associated with the 16th president, building each tribute around a superlative title. “Best Use of an Accessory” details the president’s famous hat, “Strongest Conviction” salutes the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, while “Best Advice” recalls a letter that an 11-year-old wrote him during his presidential campaign: “You’re very tall and awful thin.\/ You need some whiskers on your chin.\/ Just keep in mind the time you’ll save\/ when you no longer need to shave.” (A short paragraph contextualizes each poem, and a concluding time line provide additional background.) Szalay’s digital illustration have folk art style that fully captures the Rail Splitter’s homespun charisma, while the book’s portrait orientation provides plenty of opportunities to salute Lincoln’s lanky stature. Ages 6–9.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-cvr.jpg?4328636426937640804\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-hires.zip?503\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-lesson-guide.pdf?v=1585946991\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Lesson Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-acrostic-activity.pdf?v=1585946988\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Acrostic Activity\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-venn-diagram-activity.PDF?v=1585946989\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Venn Diagram Activity\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/draw-abraham-lincoln.pdf?v=1586288889\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003e Download How to Draw Abraham Lincoln instructions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-937-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-63289-793-0\u003c\/span\u003e EPUB\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-63289-794-7\u003c\/span\u003e PDF\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6-9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 48\u003cbr\u003e7 x 11\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2017-05-30T14:38:37-04:00","created_at":"2019-03-01T11:05:56-05:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Format_Early Reader","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_History \u0026 Biography","Browse by Subject_Poetry \u0026 Language"],"price":1799,"price_min":1799,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21550727954511,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"99376","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7329398030415,"product_id":2434532048975,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-03-01T11:22:25-05:00","updated_at":"2020-04-13T15:22:06-04:00","alt":"The Superlative A. Lincoln cover image","width":1088,"height":1688,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/SuperlativeLincoln_notfnl.jpg?v=1586805726","variant_ids":[21550727954511]},"available":true,"name":"The Superlative A. Lincoln - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":567,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":3,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781580898195","featured_media":{"alt":"The Superlative A. Lincoln cover image","id":1244923002959,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.645,"height":1688,"width":1088,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/SuperlativeLincoln_notfnl.jpg?v=1586805726"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/SuperlativeLincoln_notfnl.jpg?v=1586805726"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/SuperlativeLincoln_notfnl.jpg?v=1586805726","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"The Superlative A. Lincoln cover image","id":1244923002959,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.645,"height":1688,"width":1088,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/SuperlativeLincoln_notfnl.jpg?v=1586805726"},"aspect_ratio":0.645,"height":1688,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/SuperlativeLincoln_notfnl.jpg?v=1586805726","width":1088}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan size=\"4\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eThe Superlative A. Lincoln\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003ePoems About Our 16th President\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/eileen-r-meyer\"\u003eEileen R. Meyer\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/dave-szalay\"\u003eDave Szalay\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTallest, wisest, most studious–Lincoln was simply superlative!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGet to know the personal side of Honest Abe (his LEAST FAVORITE nickname) through fresh and funny poems expressing his superlative nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbraham Lincoln is famous for many extremes: he was the TALLEST president, who gave the GREATEST SPEECH and had the STRONGEST conviction. But did you know that he was also the MOST DISTRACTED farmer, the MOST TALENTED wrestler and inventor, and the CRAFTIEST storyteller?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Szalay’s charming illustrations are the best, most expressive illustrations of all, championing the tallest, skinniest, smartest, and nicest United States president ever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/ellie-may-on-presidents-day\"\u003eEllie May on Presidents' Day\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/presidential-pets\"\u003ePresidential Pets\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/vinnie-and-abraham\"\u003eVinnie and Abraham\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/white-house-kids-the-perks-pleasures-problems-and-pratfalls-of-the-presidents-children\"\u003eWhite House Kids\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-spread.jpg?4328636426937640804\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEileen R. Meyer, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEileen R. Meyer is the author of several books for young readers, including \u003cem\u003eSweet Dreams, Wild Animals: A Story of Sleep; Ballpark;\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eWho’s Faster? Animals on the Move\u003c\/em\u003e. Eileen splits her time between Chicago, Illinois and Jacksonville, Florida.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDave Szalay, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Szalay is an illustrator, teacher, and graphic designer with a deep interest in history. He has an MFA in illustration and teaches at the Myers School of Art at the University of Akron, where he is a tenured Associate Professor. Dave lives in Akron, Ohio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 2020 Illinois Reads selection\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTelling Abraham Lincoln's story in poetry is a tall order, but Meyer pulls it off. \"Come read about a legend— \/ the greatest of the greats; \/ from a poor boy in the backwoods \/ to a president, first-rate.\" The title of each celebratory poem offers a yearbook-style superlative about our 16th president: \"Best Wrestler,\" \"Best Lumberjack,\" \"Who's Tallest?\" Each poem is accompanied by a brief paragraph providing context for the poem. The rhyming poems are mostly in third person, though one is in the voice of Lincoln's stovepipe hat, and there's another from Grace Bedell, who wrote to the president encouraging him to grow a beard. The upbeat poems and string of superlatives, however, leave little room for more nuanced explanations, as in \"Strongest Conviction: Signing the Emancipation,\" from which readers learn that Lincoln freed the slaves but not that they weren't really free yet nor that his commitment to abolition was limited. The portrait orientation of the volume is the right choice for our tall president, and Szalay's attractive, folksy art manages to capture the homespun spirit of the poems. Brown faces appear in the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial, and President Barack Obama and Frederick Douglass make appearances. The collection will make excellent reading aloud in the classroom, a few a day. A tip of the stovepipe hat for making a poetry biography so much fun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 19 poems demythologize Abraham Lincoln. Amusing tidbits of information, like why Abe wore such a tall hat, are combined with historical footnotes. Illustrations are fun and educational. Illustrations rendered in a soft, natural palette convey a sense of Lincoln’s humanity by including examples of behavior people do when they think no one is watching. An excellent use of language and recognizable rhyme schemes make this title a wonderful teaching tool for the classroom. These well-researched poems hold readers’ attention and could encourage them to explore additional questions. ­VERDICT A good example of how poetry can also inform. Highly recommended for elementary schools and public libraries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeyer offers a sprightly, lilting poem for every milestone and legendary quality associated with the 16th president, building each tribute around a superlative title. “Best Use of an Accessory” details the president’s famous hat, “Strongest Conviction” salutes the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, while “Best Advice” recalls a letter that an 11-year-old wrote him during his presidential campaign: “You’re very tall and awful thin.\/ You need some whiskers on your chin.\/ Just keep in mind the time you’ll save\/ when you no longer need to shave.” (A short paragraph contextualizes each poem, and a concluding time line provide additional background.) Szalay’s digital illustration have folk art style that fully captures the Rail Splitter’s homespun charisma, while the book’s portrait orientation provides plenty of opportunities to salute Lincoln’s lanky stature. Ages 6–9.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-cvr.jpg?4328636426937640804\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-hires.zip?503\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-lesson-guide.pdf?v=1585946991\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Lesson Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-acrostic-activity.pdf?v=1585946988\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Acrostic Activity\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/superlative-lincoln-venn-diagram-activity.PDF?v=1585946989\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Venn Diagram Activity\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/draw-abraham-lincoln.pdf?v=1586288889\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003e Download How to Draw Abraham Lincoln instructions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-937-6\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-63289-793-0\u003c\/span\u003e EPUB\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eISBN: \u003cspan\u003e978-1-63289-794-7\u003c\/span\u003e PDF\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6-9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 48\u003cbr\u003e7 x 11\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

The Superlative A. Lincoln

The Superlative A. Lincoln
Poems About Our 16th President

By: Eileen R. Meyer / Illustrated by: Dave Szalay

Tallest, wisest, most studious–Lincoln was simply superlative!

Get to know the personal side of Honest Abe (his LEAST FAVORITE nickname) through fresh and funny poems expressing his superlative nature.

Abraham Lincoln is famous for many extremes: he was the TALLEST president, who gave the GREATEST SPEECH and had the STRONGEST conviction. But did you know that he was also the MOST DISTRACTED farmer, the MOST TALENTED wrestler and inventor, and the CRAFTIEST storyteller?

Dave Szalay’s charming illustrations are the best, most expressive illustrations of all, championing the tallest, skinniest, smartest, and nicest United States president ever.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Eileen R. Meyer, author

Eileen R. Meyer is the author of several books for young readers, including Sweet Dreams, Wild Animals: A Story of Sleep; Ballpark; and Who’s Faster? Animals on the Move. Eileen splits her time between Chicago, Illinois and Jacksonville, Florida.


Dave Szalay, illustrator

Dave Szalay is an illustrator, teacher, and graphic designer with a deep interest in history. He has an MFA in illustration and teaches at the Myers School of Art at the University of Akron, where he is a tenured Associate Professor. Dave lives in Akron, Ohio.

  • A 2020 Illinois Reads selection

Kirkus Reviews

Telling Abraham Lincoln's story in poetry is a tall order, but Meyer pulls it off. "Come read about a legend— / the greatest of the greats; / from a poor boy in the backwoods / to a president, first-rate." The title of each celebratory poem offers a yearbook-style superlative about our 16th president: "Best Wrestler," "Best Lumberjack," "Who's Tallest?" Each poem is accompanied by a brief paragraph providing context for the poem. The rhyming poems are mostly in third person, though one is in the voice of Lincoln's stovepipe hat, and there's another from Grace Bedell, who wrote to the president encouraging him to grow a beard. The upbeat poems and string of superlatives, however, leave little room for more nuanced explanations, as in "Strongest Conviction: Signing the Emancipation," from which readers learn that Lincoln freed the slaves but not that they weren't really free yet nor that his commitment to abolition was limited. The portrait orientation of the volume is the right choice for our tall president, and Szalay's attractive, folksy art manages to capture the homespun spirit of the poems. Brown faces appear in the crowd at the Lincoln Memorial, and President Barack Obama and Frederick Douglass make appearances. The collection will make excellent reading aloud in the classroom, a few a day. A tip of the stovepipe hat for making a poetry biography so much fun.

School Library Journal

These 19 poems demythologize Abraham Lincoln. Amusing tidbits of information, like why Abe wore such a tall hat, are combined with historical footnotes. Illustrations are fun and educational. Illustrations rendered in a soft, natural palette convey a sense of Lincoln’s humanity by including examples of behavior people do when they think no one is watching. An excellent use of language and recognizable rhyme schemes make this title a wonderful teaching tool for the classroom. These well-researched poems hold readers’ attention and could encourage them to explore additional questions. ­VERDICT A good example of how poetry can also inform. Highly recommended for elementary schools and public libraries.

Publishers Weekly

Meyer offers a sprightly, lilting poem for every milestone and legendary quality associated with the 16th president, building each tribute around a superlative title. “Best Use of an Accessory” details the president’s famous hat, “Strongest Conviction” salutes the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, while “Best Advice” recalls a letter that an 11-year-old wrote him during his presidential campaign: “You’re very tall and awful thin./ You need some whiskers on your chin./ Just keep in mind the time you’ll save/ when you no longer need to shave.” (A short paragraph contextualizes each poem, and a concluding time line provide additional background.) Szalay’s digital illustration have folk art style that fully captures the Rail Splitter’s homespun charisma, while the book’s portrait orientation provides plenty of opportunities to salute Lincoln’s lanky stature. Ages 6–9.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-58089-937-6

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-63289-793-0 EPUB

ISBN: 978-1-63289-794-7 PDF


Ages: 6-9
Page count: 48
7 x 11