The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln

by Mike Reiss, David Catrow (Illustrator)

Benjy has an unusual problem. He looks just like Abraham Lincoln—right down to the wart and beard. His life isn't easy. He gets gifts of Lincoln Logs and stovepipe hats on every birthday. He gets stuck playing Lincoln in every school play—whether Lincoln's part of the story or not. And the teasing is unrelenting . . . until he spends a summer at Camp What-cha-ma-call-it—The Camp for Kids Who Look Like Things! Here he finally realizes what is special about himself, and it doesn't take long for others to realize it as well. Mike Reiss, a writer for The Simpsons, and David Catrow, honored twice with the New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year award, have created a wonderfully hysterical tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt a little different.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Civil War, Presidents

32 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2003

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years I've lost count of how many times I've read this book. All three of my kids have gone through phases where they've had to had me read it to them every day. Right now it's Baby Roo's turn, though after the first page he "reads" it to me. I also just read it aloud to my 10yo's 4th grade class, they were in stitches over it. Such a bizarre and hilarious book, with so much to look at on every page and a wealth of great jokes for the parents as well.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that are just a little bit wrong... and that would be this book. A boy is tired of the grief he is given for looking like the President Lincoln. He has to wear stovepipe hats, be Lincoln in plays that don't have Lincoln in them, get asked about building fences, etc.

So he goes to a camp where other kids look like things (bowling ball heads, toasters, horses' butt, etc.) and comes to terms with his appearance. Hysterical.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln
This is a very cute story, with an important message for people of all ages.
4/5 stars
G

[Cristal Trujillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The real eye catcher for this book was the relationship between the title and the illustration on the cover. THe title says the boy who looked like Lincoln but the illustration shows an image of a boy that has the features of an older man. The style of art within the illustration looks a bit like caricatures, which I find to be quite interesting and adds to the comedic aspect of the story where a boy has always looked like Abraham Lincoln. I can appreciate the moral or theme of the story which is acceptance, to accept yourself and others for who they are and not for what they look like, and embracing our differences. There is interplay of text and illustrations that is symmetrical, meaning that images parallel the information in text and vice versa.

[Pug · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mike Reiss was bragging about this book in his other book, "Springfield Confidential." It sounded pretty dumb, but fortunately I work in a library and can read terrible books without ever having to pay for them. The premise (kids who look like things!) was silly enough to make me chuckle, but it was too far-fetched for me to really get into it (a football? The Washington Monument? a box of tissues?). But now I understand why this book was apparently banned in Texas: the baby brother really does look phallic! And naming him Dickie completely put it over the edge.

[Delaney Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think for a book that has such a good message it is very funny and will get kids laughing. My current professor has told us plenty of times that if you say certain words around kids they will burst out laughing, with Reiss deciding to say "butt" you know it will bring some humor into the classroom. The illustrations are some of my favorites I have seen and engraining this message into young children's minds is very powerful for there futures.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is funny, different and very unique! It carries a very good message about being confident in who you are and being different is okay but does it in a humorous way! And the illustrations add even more humor to the story. I really enjoyed this book myself and I’m sure kids would love this book!

[Jo Hackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade: 1-2
This is such a silly book. I don’t even know how to address it. But there are really babies out there who do look like all the US presidents. And they aren’t the US presidents. But anyways, I think that this a book that will make students laugh and sometimes students just need a good laugh.

[Vickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book! The illustrator is David Catrow and his images always make me smile. The story is of a boy who looks like Lincoln and is teased at school. That summer his parents send him to a summer camp where all the kids resemble something or someone. He fits in and comes home elated.

[Emily Kinsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

12/1
Fiction
K-3rd
The book and its message was so awesome! I fell in love with this style of drawing, I really appreciated this Illustrators art. The message of accepting and loving yourself is amazing, I can imagine myself using this for a read aloud!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wacky.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good, but Catrow’s illustrations make it great.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, for older kids who will understand and appreciate the wacky humor.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so ridiculous and I love it.

[Lyla Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably not for 4 month olds. Hopefully I won’t get sent to camp watchamacallit for looking like Lyncoln

[nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the title says... this is a book about a boy named Benjy, who looks like Lincoln. All the local kids torment him because of his face, and he's even forced to play Abe in school plays (regardless of whether or not Lincoln is in the script), which he hates... that is until he's forced to attend a summer camp for "kids who look like things". There he befriends kids with bowling pins, giant ears, toasters, and even the Mona Lisa for heads. His closest camp friend has a face that looks like "a horses' bottom" (who, we find, falls in love with a girl with a horse face... truly romantic!). Anyway, at camp, Benjy learns to accept himself, and embrace his Abeness back home.

A really strange, somewhat grossly illustrated book, but totally hilarious! Myself and the one woman I showed this to (who's son, coincidentally was obsessed with Lincoln -- a happy surprise!) aside, I'm not sure what the target audience for this book is. Richard Nixon (Little Dickie, Benjy's baby brother) is mocked on the last page, which some parents may like, but their kids won't get it, and uptight parents will probably shy away from the, you know... horses ass thing...

[Jaime Ann Sanborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Reiss, a writer for the show The Simpsons, and famous Children's Book Illustrator, David Catrow, team up to create a hilarious book about self-esteem, identity, self-acceptance. In The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln, young Benjy looks a LOT like the late president, which really gets him down. That is, until his parents send him to Camp What-Cha-Ma-Call-It and he discovers he isn't alone in this world. This is a great story about embracing what makes you special and it is also so funny that you will have to read it outside of the library (otherwise you will laugh too loud!).

Interest Level: 2nd-5th
Reading Level: 1st-3rd

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abraham Lincoln may have been one of our nation’s greatest leaders, he was not however one of our more handsome ones. Even Lincoln himself said that he couldn’t possibly be two faced, because if he had a second one why would he wear the one he had? Benjy is a young boy who looks like a miniature Abraham Lincoln and is often mocked for, or reminded of his famous look. It is not until he attends a summer camp filled with fellow relatable youth that he learns to appreciate his appearance.

A super fun, silly read to share with your child or a classroom full of them. As always, David Catrow’s illustrations are a fantastic contribution.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up after I read the author's hilarious column for the Soapbox section of the March 24th, 2008 Publisher's Weekly. (check that out!)

The book is about an 8 year old who bears a striking resemblance to Honest Abe. He never fits in, until he finds a little confidence booster in Camp Whatchamacallit, the summer camp for kids who look like things. It was really pretty funny, and also morally uplifting (ya know, self confidence, acceptance, and stuff). But, I think this is a picture book for older readers...maybe, especially, middle grade boys.

[Luis Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very hilarious book, the story is about a 8 year old who looks a lot like Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president. In the the story it shows he is sad because he is always made fun of for looking like him. His parents then send him to a camp for kids who look like things. He then feels better about himself and goes back to school feeling more confident. The art style is meant to look realistic mixed with cartoonish to make the characters look realistic, keep a humorous tone. The purpose of this book is to teach the reader to be proud of who they are, while also being a very hilarious book.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just did not find this book funny. And I wasn't impressed with David Catrow's illustrations, I found most of them bulbous and unpleasant. This story was also incredibly unrealistic, which would have been fine if it had been able to pull it off - but it didn't. I would steer clear of this book because it is not worth your time.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Catrow was the political cartoonist for the paper I used to write for. I've always admired him and his work, both as a political cartoonist and as an illustrator for children's books. This came across the desk at work and I had to stop and read it immediately. It does not disappoint. Although the title really tells the story, the illustrations are the highlight of the book - even with the unforseen ending. Recapture your second or third childhood and pick this up for a good chuckle.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a hoot - can almost call them a comedy team: Reiss and Catrow! Wacky illustrations (look carefully, surprises abound) accompany an even wackier premise - a boy with the face of Lincoln, whiskers and all! Love Camp What-Cha-Ma-Call-It with all the crazy campers. Short text doesn't rhyme like many other Reiss books, but will still make a great read aloud. Funny surprise ending that young readers may not get, but most adults will.

[Cailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Catrow is an excellent children's illustrator. His exaggerated caricatures are engaging and funny. Poor Benjy is only 8 years and and a dead ringer for Abraham Lincoln. He learns to deal with his odd resemblance and uses this knowledge to win himself a class election. A great life lesson about accepting who you are.

[Wendy Jones]

What a cute story! This is a book about a little boy that looks just like Abraham Lincoln. He is upset about this because of the different treatment he receives. But, this summer he goes to camp and is with other children who look like things. He realizes what makes him special. It is a great story to read to children, especially if they have ever felt a little different from others.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly book about a little boy who looks like President Lincoln. At first his appearance is a source of irritation for him, but after a fun summer at a camp entirely devoted to children who like things, he embraces his uniqueness.

Great illustrations - David Catrow is one of my favorite children's book artists!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a completely silly book about a little boy who looks like Lincoln and is taunted because of it. The book is highly absurd and, therefore, funny. The message of the book is good -- be proud of who you are no matter how you look.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reiss has done a fantastic job teaching people that it's okay to be different. What better way to do that than to have people look like the most random objects anyone could imagine! This book is not only a great children's book, but one that adults enjoy just as much.

[Melinda Miller]

Illustrations by: David Cathrow
Published by: Price Stern Sloan, 2003, New York, NY
Summary: One of my favorite children's books I've read so far. Hilarious text and illustration about a young boy who looks just like Abe Lincoln.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book up from the library because I am a huge fan of David Catrow's quirky illustrations. I wish I would have just admired the art work and ignored Reiss' story. It is funny but in an offensive inappropriate for children sort of way.