Honey, the Dog Who Saved Abe Lincoln

Based on a little-known tale from Abraham Lincoln's childhood, this charming picture book written by debut author Shari Swanson and illustrated by acclaimed artist Chuck Groenink tells a classic story of a boy, his dog, and a daring rescue.

Deeply researched and charmingly told, this is the true story of one extra-special childhood rescue--a dog named Honey.

Long before Abraham Lincoln led the nation or signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he was just a barefoot kid running around Knob Creek, Kentucky, setting animals free from traps and snatching frogs out of the jaws of snakes.

One day, young Abe found a stray dog with a broken leg and named him Honey. He had no idea that the scruffy pup would find his way into Abe's heart, become his best friend, and--one fateful day--save his life.

Whether shared at home or in the classroom, this is a good choice for young readers interested in true stories of U.S. presidents.

* Junior Library Guild Selection * 2021 Treasure State Award Finalist (Montana) * Bank Street College's Best Books of the Year for 2021 (Ages 5-9 History) * 2022 Kentucky Bluegrass Award Winner (K-2) *

Shari Swanson grew up in the Los Angeles area, attending both UCLA (B.A. English Literature) and USC (J.D. Law). After many years practicing law, she decided to switch to her dream job of teaching middle school, which immersed her in the wonderful world of children's literature and prompted her return to school to get her MFA in Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Shari traveled twice to Kentucky to walk where young Abe walked, plunk rocks into his Knob Creek, and descend into dark and creepy caverns where she could picture young Abe, trapped and hoping desperately that Honey would bring back help. She loves to think about unsung heroes in history, like Honey, without whom we may not have the heroes we read about today. Shari lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, Todd, and their beloved dog, Honey. You can find her at www.shariswanson.com.

Chuck Groenink hails from an overgrown village among the peat bogs in the north of the Netherlands, where he spent his formative years climbing trees, drawing, reading, and cycling. He's a history buff who attended the Artez Institute of Visual Arts in Kampen and now lives in Kinderhook, New York, with his wife, dog, and two cats. Look for him at www.chuckgroenink.com.