Abe Lincoln Crosses A Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale
Written By: Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrated by: John Hendrix
Published: 2008
This fun little find had me in stitches the entire way through. It tells the tale of Abe Lincoln's adventures on the frontier with his childhood friend Austin Gollaher. The only way to describe the writing in this book is incredibly conversational. Hopkins has written it as if she was sitting with the reader around a crackling campfire and telling it to them by memory, as all of the best legends and tall tales were. Readers will giggle and gasp as Abe and Austin get into a bit of trouble attempting to cross the rushing Knob Creek in nothing but their undershirts.
This book is a solid example of the fine line between nonfiction and historical fiction. It can be used to teach students that just because a book is set in the past and uses familiar historical figures, does not necessarily mean that it's true. This story is a tall (thin) tale, and the author makes sure to mention towards the end "that's the thing about history-- if you weren't there, you can't know for sure". Obviously, Abe Lincoln did not write this book, nor did he tell the wonderful Deborah Hopkins this story himself. There is historical proof that Benjamin Austin Gollaher existed and was good pals with our 16th president when he was a boy, however, there is no proof of this particular even actually happening.
I will definitely be using this book in my classroom. It is an excellent way to introduce Abe Lincoln and teach the concept of onomatopoeia, as well as being a great example of a tall tale and a quality piece of historical fiction. I give this book 3.5 stars.
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