Disclaimer:  I am not a youth services librarian.  I couldn’t even play one on TV.  But this event on the evening of Friday July 10, was a fun and nice way to begin the ALA conference, for me.  Three authors and one editor talked about the creation of their books about Lincoln.  How fitting for a conference of librarians, in Illinois, in 2009, the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

Included were:

• Russell Freedman talked about his book Lincoln: A Photobiography
  
• Jean Feilwel spoke about the book Lincoln Shot: a President’s Life Remembered, of which she was the editor
• Candace Fleming talked about The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary
• Deborah Hopkinson discussed Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale

Freedman’s presentation focused on the role of research, and how he learned more about Lincoln, a man of “intellect and melancholy,” and his fascination with details, such as the contents of his pockets when he died.   He reminded us that there are more books about Lincoln than any other American.  (Yet, I must say, even with all the books about Lincoln out there, I want to read all 4 of these books I learned about last night!)

Lincoln Shot sounds fascinating.  The first part of it is written as if by a reporter reporting in 1866, the first anniversary of Lincoln’s death.   The second part goes back to explore Lincoln’s life, and the third part is about the Civil War, as seen through Lincoln’s eyes.  It is designed to look like an old newspaper.  Editor Feiwel wants to bring nonfiction to children.

I enjoyed hearing Candace Fleming talk about The Lincolns, and specifically “putting Mary back into the story.”  Can I share your secret here, Candace?  Among her family, her books always have “alternate titles” known only to them (until last night.)  They called The Lincolns “Abe and his Babe.”

And lastly, Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale. Author Deborah Hopkinson talked about her collaboration with her illustrator John Hendrix.   It is a picture book, and a bit of a tall tale.  But is it tale, or truth?  As the author says “that’s the thing with history–if you weren’t there, you can’t know for sure.”

As I said, this was a pleasant start to the conference, for me.  I attended several informative sessions today.  But it’s late, and I must get ready for tomorrow’s array of events.  Reports on today’s events will have to wait.