The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln

By Mike Reiss

Book Overview

Mike Reiss, writer for The Simpsons , and David Catrow, honored twice with a New York Times best illustrated book of the year, have joined forces once again for their quirkiest book yet. Benjy has an unusual problem. He looks just like Abraham Lincoln-right down to the wart and beard. Needless to say, 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 he's part of the story or not. And the teasing is unrelenting. When school ends he plans on spending another summer sitting inside alone, but his parents have a surprise. They're sending him to Camp What-cha-ma-call-it-The Camp for Kids Who Look Like Things! Within scenes reminiscent of Bosch and Brueghel, Benjy learns that he's not unusual-he's unique! And when he realizes what's special about himself, it doesn't take long for others to realize it as well. Mike Reiss and David Catrow have created a wonderfully hysterical tale that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt a little different from his or her peers. Illustrated by David Catrow.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0843102713
• ISBN13: 9780843102710
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Price Stern Sloan
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.4" x 0.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 3 years and up
• Grade Range: Preschool and higher

Customer Reviews

A Hoot--Abe Would Have Laughed Out Loud!

I loved this book. I enjoyed the absurd humor, the wonderful facial expressions on the various kids, and the goofiness in the illustrations. They leap off the pages, but without being garish. A word about the so-called "adult" humor: the closest the book comes to anything questionable is the references to a boy who looks like the rear end of a horse. But Laurel and Hardy used the same gag concept in "The Chimp" (1932), I think a lot of fuss is being made over a very minor (sorry!) issue. The only reason to consider the last page to be adult humor is that the subject isn't going to be familiar to the kids, since it refers to an individual whose heyday was in the late '60s and early '70s. A quick explanation would make it clear to almost any child, who would then be able to get it. IMHO, one of the worst offenses we can commit against children is to underestimate their ability to understand. I'm not afraid to stretch their minds; it's good for them!

My kids love it

My kids (age 9,6 and 4) love this book and so do I! It's funny, and has a sweet message about accepting who you are. There is a section where the boy who looks like Lincoln goes to a summer camp for kids that look like other things, and each time my kids get to that part they laugh out loud. As for any controversy with the last page, I'm surprised that anyone could read anything into it, other than poking fun at Richard Nixon.

A Warm & Very Funny Book for Kids

I can't believe there's any problem with this funny, smart , and warm book ! On the last page, we meet the brother of The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln--his name is Dickie and he looks just like Dick Nixon. He even has a TAPE RECORDER and is making two V's for Victory! Anyone who interprets "Dickie" in another way has no sense of history and a VERY DIRTY MIND.

concerning the "adult" humour

This book is great, and totally appropriate for children of all ages. Our 5 year old loves it. As far as the reviewer who thought the last page contained an inappropriate adult joke, I think she was mistaken. The reference to "Dicky". is clearly to Richard Nixon, and nothing dirty. It may go over kids heads, but there is nothing to be offended by.

Children are a bit more sophisticated than you think

This was a hilarious book, my niece who is eight years old thoroughly enjoyed it. I disagree with most who think that children don't get some of the subtleties of humor that's supposedly for adults. If you can't see this in children you must see them as spiritless robots.