The art work in this book is great, and unusual for a children’s book. But that is the best part. This is a basic history of Abe Lincoln. The subtitle is “Abraham Lincoln’s Agricultural Legacy” but much of this is not about agriculture. Plus the author has added in these action works like “Twack”, “swish”, “thwump” that seem very out of place. This reader who lives in the “Land of Lincoln” would not add this book to their collection.

Lincoln Clears a Path is a picture book that introduces young readers into the many jobs that Abe held. Each job helped shape the man and allowed him to take on bigger and better opportunities to support him and his family. The story bases itself on the sounds of wood being cut and how he "cut a path" to create opportunities for "everyman." It's an introduction to who Abe Lincoln was without getting bogged down in the details.

I always enjoy learning more about Lincoln. He is a fascinating man in history. This book was equally interesting, and I learned something new about Lincoln (I didn't realize he started land grant colleges for agriculture!). However, the facts and historical events were very spread out and explained sparingly. The ending historical information felt much better researched and explained than the major content of the picture book. Nonetheless, this would still be a great addition to picture books about Lincoln's life.

Lincoln Clears a Path tells the story of Abraham Lincoln's journey to make the United States a better place. You meet young Abe when he is helping his father clear a path for their new farmstead. From there, you see countless examples of Abe clearing the path for those behind him. He is fighting for slaves, farmers, and anyone that needs support. I really liked the utilization of repetition and onamatopoeia through this story. It would be a great book to discuss author's craft with young readers.

This unconventional picture book biography of Abraham Lincoln focuses on his agricultural background, civic engagement, and work to improve life for farmers throughout the United States. As other reviewers have mentioned, the book does not address the negative consequences of the Homestead Act until the author's note, which some children may not read at all. However, even though I wish that the author had mentioned the negative impact for indigenous people in the book's main text, this is a very engaging and educational source that provides a different perspective on a familiar figure.

The book addresses the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation as well, including this as part of its metaphor of Lincoln "clearing a path," but the book's primary focus is on his connection to agriculture. The main text explains how he supported farmers during the presidency, and the author's note in the back includes additional context and details about groundbreaking changes that he made. Because Lincoln is often singularly associated with the Civil War, and understandably so, I am glad that this book provides additional information about his life and presidential legacy.

I would recommend this to classrooms and families who are interested in Lincoln's life and in this era of American history. This would tie in well with reading "Little House on the Prairie" or other books about pioneers, and can also open discussions about how governmental policy can support some while marginalizing others. This book can be a great jumping off point for discussing a variety of different historical issues.

Full of onomatopoeia, this book talks about Lincolns life and how he literally and figuratively cleared paths in his time. It touches on much more than his fight against slavery, but his fight for agriculture, America's expansion, and education. A great educational book.

This is an inspirational picture book depicting some of the hard work and good deeds that Lincoln did throughout his childhood and life, with the metaphor of clearing brush like what he had to do growing up. Another reviewer has pointed out that it glosses over the bad that resulted from some of his good deeds like the Homestead Act, which did help many poor Americans but also harmed many Native Americans who were living on those lands. This is an important point but it is discussed in the longer text at the end and that may be better suited for discussion afterwards with a parent or teacher rather than in the midst of a rather short picture book. It is certainly an important point, though.

My youngest daughter has always had a soft spot for Abraham Lincoln, partly because she grew up volunteering at historic reenacting events with our family and frequently encountered some favorite reenactors who played Lincoln and partly because she was inspired by many of his words and deeds. When Fiona was a toddler, she used to say that her best friend was Abraham Lincoln. :)

(image: https://i0.wp.com/farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/9072198362_eae012cd35.jpg)

This book is novel in that it doesn't focus only on slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation but also on his work to help farmers and other struggling people. The illustrations are well done but a little dark, and may not appeal to kids as much as adults. The story is inspirational and end notes talk more about Lincoln's life and what we can do ourselves to "clear a path." I'm looking forward to reading this book with Fiona, while also discussing the larger issues beyond the story.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book via Net Galley.

I'm a bit torn on this book. While it is a very good introduction to the good that Lincoln did, it glosses over the bad that resulted from the same acts. What the author was showing in this very interesting, well researched book was that Lincoln carried very much about farmers and farm life, and felt that there should be more help for them, and so set out to make it easier for them. He started land grand colleges to teach agriculture. And he started the homestead act to give Native people's land to white settlers, and he started the USDA to help farmers find the best seeds and equipment to use.

Oh, did I mention how he gave land that was being used by the indigenous people's to white settlers? How generous of him. While this problem isn't mentioned in the picture book text, it is brought up in the longer text at the back, that goes into more depth. My problem is that most chiclren won't read the more dense text at the back.

So, while I like how the book brought up the good that Lincoln did, and how he got where he was and why he wanted to help the farmers, I just have a hard time with this white washing.

So, I would support giving this to children with a grain of salt, or at least having the discussion come up as to what all of the actions did.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

I received an advance copy of, Lincoln Clears a Path, by Peggy Thomas. Thwack! Swish! Thump! Yah! You will see those words throughout this wonderful book. The pictures are incredible, you feel you are right there with Honest Abe!