Looking at Lincoln

Narrated by Elizabeth Cottle, this iconographic-animated adaptation of author and illustrator Maira Kalman's 2012 picture book about America's 16th President follows a little girl who sees a tall man on her way to a coffee shop breakfast and is reminded of Abraham Lincoln. Heading to the library (yes!) to find out more information, the girl marvels at the plethora of books written about the man with the “unusual face.” Our protagonist gleans a lot of information about Abe, from his log cabin birth in his native Kentucky to his good relationship with his stern-looking stepmother, longtime love of learning, job as a lawyer (“He did like to argue”), and marriage to Mary Todd. Touching on lesser-known aspects of Lincoln's life (including the fact that he used his top hat to carry notes, loved Pippin apples, and especially enjoyed Mozart's The Magic Flute), as well as his defining role in the Civil War, this historical short is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)