The amazing true story of the young woman who immortalized Lincoln's face in stone. Vinnie Ream is a small girl with a giant gift for sculpture. She starts by playing in the Wisconsin clay, but when the Civil War breaks out, her family moves to Washington D.C., setting Vinnie on a whole new path: apprentice to a famous sculptor, depictor of Congressmen and politicians, eventual sculptor of the Lincoln bust. After Lincoln's assassination, she fights doubt and prejudice for the honor of sculpting the full-size statue of Lincoln that now stands in the Capitol rotunda.
This is a beautifully written book... and the illustrations are delightful for young people or adults. I must admit, Vinnie Ream is an ancestor... a cousin at best, and we have a lot of interest in knowing more about her. I have Grandchildren and I thought it wuld be fun to share this book with them. I have read to them or had several of them read the book themselves. They were delighted and the book stimulated some discussion about the topic. Adults have also looked at the book... with the immediate response "The Illustrations are beautiful!". Because it is really a childrens book, the detail is not great, but it does present a lovely picture of the era, perhaps a bit more glowing than deserved, but it makes it very readable.
This book moved me!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
What a wonderful childrens' book! Dawn Fitzgerald's telling of the story of Vinnie Ream is inspirational, the presence of Abe Lincoln is magical, the mix of artistic achievement, youthful determination, and living history is opulent, and Catherine Stock's illustrations enliven the story and make the book sparkle. To me this book is perfect proof of the power of a story for children about people who were real and who did great things.
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