L Is for Lincoln: An Illinois Alphabet

Discover America State By State

by Kathy-jo Wargin, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen (Illustrator)

The home of one of America's most revered Presidents is also home to American icons such as the Ferris wheel, Montgomery Ward stores, and John Deere tractors. This latest offering from the award-winning team of author Kathy-jo Wargin and illustrator Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen is sure to be a must-have for every "Illini." Teachers, students and parents will enjoy the clever poems, rich illustrations and revealing text of L is for Lincoln: An Illinois Alphabet.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Poetry

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Kathy-jo Wargin is the bestselling author of more than fifty books for adults and children. With more than 1.2 million copies sold, she writes across genres and age-groups, and has earned national recognition for award–winning titles such as Michigan’s Official State Children’s Book The Legend of Sleeping Bear, the International Reading Association’s Children's Choice Award Winner The Legend of the Loon, the Bank Street College of Education Best Book Listee The Voyageur’s Paddle, the IRA Teacher's Choice Award Winner Win One for the Gipper, and many more.

Reviews

[N_stefanie Akwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

L is for Lincoln was a very quick to read treat. I learned a lot of interesting facts about Chicago in this “Illinois Alphabet” book. The very first Ferris Wheel was at a Chicago Fair. The first fire engine in our state was named Quincy. Our very own Lincoln Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the USA! Each page of this book has a few rhymed couplets to explain or describe a state landmark in alphabetical order. Also on the side of each page is a paragraph or two giving greater detail about the historical significance of what is being described. The illustrations are creative and informative, for example, the pictured Harold Washington Library has what is supposed to look like a photograph of the former mayor thumb-tacked to the building.

My children recognized this book from their classroom library and grabbed it out of the car arguing over who got to read it first. Quite impressive (the book, not my parenting)!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute kids book introducing Illinois to kids. Though I did detect an error in the "L section about Lincoln" (they credit him with issuing the Emancipation Proclamation that freed all of the slaves in the United States, when in fact it only freed those slaves in areas of rebellion) the author did include the "Illinois and Michigan Canal" which does my heart good to see this much over-looked event in Illinois history get some attention.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed the book and it would recommend it as a valuable non-fiction resource.

[Emily Shazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really cool because it served as a way to get informed about the history and cool facts about Illinois all while in alphabetical order. This is classified as an alphabet because on each page is states "this letter is for..." with some characteristic about Illinois. I really like this book and think I will get it for my class library even if the students are not old enough to understand it because you can figure our what the book is tring to say by looking at the pictures and the big alphabet letter.

[A_Olga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poem book is a great kick off for a unit on Chicago. It introduces Chicago’s history in a fun rhythmical manner. The colorful illustrations look like paintings in a museum. On each page there are captions that explain each fact further in depth. The author used rhyme as her hook in order to engage readers thus drawing their attention to the facts being read.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love most of this author's books, but as someone from Illinois... I found some of her letters could have been done better. There is so much more to Illinois than Chicago. I was disappointed in them. In spite of this, I did enjoy the book overall.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

L is for Lincoln: An Illinois Alphabet (Discover America State by State)
by Kathy-jo Wargin
pictures, history, facts, information and ideals about illinois

[Vj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Learned a few things about Illinois that I didn't know. Good resource for classrooms, but a little too Chicago-centered for my southern Illinois taste.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’d like to know some fun facts about the state of Illinois, this is the book for you. Engaging text and beautiful illustrations make this the perfect read aloud when studying geography or just for fun. Recommended.

[Regine · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting exercise somewhat lacking in execution. Some of the choices (e.g., A is for the Arrowheads…) made me feel quite nostalgic, while others were new to me. But the rhyming alphabetic jingles grated on my nerves. The simply descriptive explanations were better.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about Illinois for all ages! It tells about the state animals, cities, events, and people. It has additional questions at the end for research.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I enjoy reading these books about the various states. The books have lots of good information about the state.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was entertaining and informative. I found things about Illinois that I didn't know.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is filled with fascinating facts and the illustrations of Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen are WONDERFUL!

[♥KRiSTiN3♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love picture books :)