The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln - (Turnabout Tales) by Raymond Arroyo (Hardcover)

About the Book

From New York Times bestselling author Raymond Arroyo comes a picture book about America's greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, and how his son Tad taught him a lesson about mercy.

Book Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author and news anchor Raymond Arroyo comes a fun picture book biography of Tad Lincoln, his relationship with his father President Abraham Lincoln, and a story about a parent's love for his son and the wisdom of a child. Full of humor, this romp through history will teach children about the power of curiosity, imagination, friendship, empathy, determination...and even a little mischief!

Tad Lincoln was forever getting into trouble. He bounced around the White House making mischief and annoying almost everyone but the president. Yet Tad was his father's joy and comfort amidst a brutal war, a family tragedy, and the toll of holding the nation's highest office. When Tad befriends a turkey meant to be holiday dinner, his plea for the pet to be spared teaches Abe a lesson about mercy. It also starts the tradition of the presidential turkey pardon, a tradition that presidents carry on to this day.

In The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln readers 4-8 will:

• learn about the larger-than-life personality of Tad Lincoln and his father President Abe Lincoln, highlighting the importance of family
• see the impact of empathy and understanding towards others
• be inspired by Tad's resilience and determination, as he overcomes challenges learning to read and dealing with a speech impediment
• enjoy Tad's mischievous and adventurous spirit, encouraging children to embrace their curiosity, explore new ideas, and make a difference in the lives of others by being themselves

The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln includes:

• an annotated list of resources
• a fun history lesson about a favorite holiday tradition
• vibrant illustrations by artist Jacqui Davis
• an author's note by Raymond Arroyo, New York Times bestselling author of The Spider Who Saved Christmas

Check out Raymond Arroyo's book The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison, also part of the Turnabout Tales series, which explores the hidden, pivotal moments that define some of history's greatest men and women.

Review Quotes

A biography of Abraham Lincoln's son, Tad, that introduces the lesser-known historical figure to young readers. Action-filled vignettes from Tad's childhood, brought to expressive life through Davis's artwork, illustrate lessons of emotional complexity and eventually mature into more somber moments, like the death of Tad's brother, Willie, and the moral struggles of leadership Tad witnessed his father go through during the Civil War. The author gracefully uses these anecdotes to make Tad feel relatable to modern readers while grounding him in the necessary context of the boy's life. While the story is limited to Tad's childhood, there's plenty of material for meaty discussion. Plainspoken language will appeal to confident young readers, while evocative word choices, such as 'helpless, neighing laughter, ' add a little literary flair. An explanatory note at the end describes how Arroyo was especially moved by Abraham Lincoln's sensitivity and mercy, especially in the granting of pardons, and how he believes Tad's influence was responsible. This is a heady topic well worth exploring and successfully sets up the story of Tad as an organic launching point for conversations about the humanity of political leadership and what qualities a leader should exemplify. VERDICT: A fun, well-paced, highly readable biography that provides a sophisticated entry point for more nuanced discussions about the complexities of leadership. Recommended.--Kate Stadt, School Library Journal