This is my new book, Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek, illustrated by John Hendrix. I’d like to read you a little bit from it. It takes place in Kentucky, 1816.
Now, here’s an old tale of two boys who got themselves into more trouble than bear cubs in a candy store. I like it so well I’ve asked my friend John to help out by drawing some pictures. All stories have a time and place, and this one’s no different. It happened on the other side of yesterday before computers or cars in the year 1816. This green Kentucky valley is our place. Don’t you feel like sticking your toes into that rushing water? That’s Knob Creek.
Life was hard for many folks then — especially those in slavery, and in just a few years, all the cares of America would fall on the shoulders of one tall, thin man. But in 1916, he’s only seven. Here he is fetching wood for his mother. All spring, he’s been helping his father plant corn and pumpkins.
Look, now he’s stopping to watch a wagon rumble by. I daresay you’ve guessed his name, Abraham Lincoln. He’ll grow up to become our 16th president. There’s another boy here, too, sitting on that rock waiting for Abe. That’s Benjamin Austin Gollaher. Austin for short.
Now I can just hear you grumbling, “Who? That feller isn’t in my history book! What do I care?” Well, Austin is Abe’s first friend. He’s three years older and as proud of Abe as a big brother. Abe’s legs were long. His arms were long. Why, even his ears were long Austin would say later. And when it came to being smart, he was way yonder ahead of me. Alright, that’s what we need to begin: a time, a place, and our characters, two boys named Austin and Abe.