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Women's Fiction
A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women

A is for Abigail: An Almanac of Amazing American Women

List Price: $16.95
Your Price: $11.53
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A lovely and meaningful book.
Review: "Remember the Ladies," Abigail Adams told her husband in a 1776 letter. In fact she went so far as to warn him, "If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation." Unfortunately it was not until the 1900s before women were able to vote. Still, they found many ways to make their mark, have their say, and get their way.

Presented in the format of an alphabet book, A IS FOR ABIGAIL is a remarkable collection of stories about women who have made a difference in the history of the United States. Each beautifully illustrated, often annotated, page is packed with information and quotes. We are shown how women have been able to make a difference in various aspects of life, despite opposition. They have been fliers, artists, business people and inventors, to name only a few occupations.

Robin Preiss Glasser finds the most extraordinary ways to present this information. For example, the letter F stands for "First Ladies." Portraits of them are shown on teacups, milk jugs, sugar bowls, coffee pots, and teapots. The women who made their mark in the press are shown on the front of a newspaper, while those ladies who gained fame as performers are shown on a stage.

By the time we close this extraordinary book we feel empowered, knowing that women have achieved so much in a world that has not always been hospitable to their successes. We should all be proud of and grateful to Lynne Cheney and her wonderful illustrator for creating such a lovely and meaningful book.

--- Reviewed by Marya Jansen-Gruber (mjansengruber@mindspring.com)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A is for Another Success
Review: Lynne Cheney once again has written engagingly about the history of our nation, this time the history of our women. Beginning with Abigail Adams, the book includes everyone from Mia Hamm to Harriet Tubman. Having only twenty-six letters in the alphabet does not stop Mrs. Cheney from schooling girls everywhere about their influential ancestresses: many women are mentioned in side pictures and quotes, and one letter (U is for Us) is devoted to a colorful two-page history of women's progress in every different aspect of life. Robin Priess Glasser's illustrations depict each historic figure in their element. I found this book even better than the last - it mentioned many interesting woman I had never heard of before, and certainly want to learn more about. Mrs. Cheney begins the book with Abigail Adams' famous quote, "....remember the ladies." After this book, I am sure that no one will forget us any time soon.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful Children's Book
Review: My daughter loves to look through this as I read it to her. She loves alphabet books and this one teaches her about her country.
I would highly recommend this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Information and Inspiration for All Ages
Review: Once again, Lynne Cheney is teaching my family new ways to celebrate our country's history. This book tells the story of how women have shaped our country in terms that my children can appreciate with easy to read prose and eye-catching illustrations. From renowned names such as Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, and Sandra Day O'Connor to less recognized but still significant leaders, Cheney gives a fresh perspective on the rightful role of women in America's history. My son, daughter, and husband will all enjoy this book.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A is for Amazing
Review: This is a wonderful primer on the history of women in America. It paints a very vivid picture, using wonderful and engaging illustrations to draw you into what is a picture narrative. In spite of what some reviewers have said, the diversity in this book is wonderful. Harriet Tubman and Sacagawea are on the front cover of the book, two of five women featured, and Rosa Parks is featured on the back cover alongside Sandra Day O'Connor and Eleanor Roosevelt. As someone who works in the educational publishing field, it is obvious that a lot of thought was put into representing women from various ethnic backgrounds. Apart from the real non white women featured including: Mary McLeod Bethune, Ida Wells-Barnett, Sui Fin Far, Madame C. J. Walker, Harriet Tubman, Bessie Coleman, Lena Horne, Pearl Bailey, Judith Jamison, Chita Rivera, Rita Moreno, Hazel Harrison, Annie Dodge Wauneka, Charlotte Ray, Zora Neale Hurston, Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the list of women of color and other backgrounds depicted in this book (the list goes on and on), the illustrator has worked hard to include depictions of minorities in the incidental art. I honestly don't understand the diversity complaints at all; they must have been looking at another book. I would recomnd A is for Abigail to girls and women of all ages and men as well. It's just a whole lot of fun to look at and you'll learn a few things about the amazing women who did great things for our country.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This book will make a difference for young and old alike!
Review: What an incredible validation of the accomplishments of women to share with our children and grandchildren. Each page is filled with information and illustrations that will encourage young and older women alike. There are hours and hours of entertainment and education between the covers of this book. As adults we will not only be reading these books with our children we will be learning with them, too. Hats off to Lynne Cheney for the inspiration of the subject matter and the desire to bring history to our children in such a beautiful format. Hats off to Robin Preiss Glaser for bringing women's history to life through her illustrations. We need more children's books like this one; written by women of exemplary character, honor and intelligence like Lynne Cheney.


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