Review of Three Children's Civil War Books from Sleeping Bear Press

This is a review of 3 children's Civil War books from Sleeping Bear Press: B is for Battle Cry, The Legend of Old Abe, and The Last Brother. One story is about how a band of soldiers were inspired by their pet eagle, while another focuses on a bugler. Disclosure: I was provided copies of these three children's Civil War books by Sleeping Bear Press, but was under no obligation to recommend them. My observations are my own.

Synopsis and Review of B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet

The 40 page book (ISBN Number 1-58536-356-1) was written by Patricia Bauer and illustrated by David Geister. Letters of the alphabet are used to feature various aspects of the Civil War (1-2 pages for each letter), i.e., "b" for Battle, "h" for Hardtack, "p" for Prisoners of War, "r" for Rebel Yell, etc. A poem (many of them rhyming) introduces each aspect, followed by informative paragraphs. The poems themselves were inspired by the Stephen Foster song Hard Times Come Again No More, according to the Author's Note.

The strengths of this book are that the Civil War is covered in such a way that isn't going to be too intense for children, but also will educate kids on such things like why the North and South named many battles differently (Bull Run/Manassas), and why young pretty women weren't wanted for nurses. It gives a good overview through nicely-detailed photos about the everyday aspects of being a soldier. The children's alphabet Civil War book has large illustrations as the book measures out to be about 10 ¼" inches high and 11 ¼" wide. The Suggested Retail Price for B is for Battle Cry is $17.95.

Synopsis and Review of The Legend of Old Abe: A Civil War Eagle

The 40 page book (ISBN Number is 1-58536-232-8) which is authored by Kathy-jo Wargin and illustrated by Laurie Caple focuses on a less publicized vignette of Civil War history: an eagle who helped inspire the troops he was a mascot of to the point of being in the midst of gunfire on many, many occasions during battles with the Eighth Regiment of the Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. The story of how the eagle would win the hearts of America and his fellow troops starts from the time he was a baby eaglet traded to the McCann family by a Native American for a bushel of corn.

I urge children's and Civil War book readers to read The Legend of Old Abe to find out how the great bird fared ultimately. As a fan of this period of history, I was captivated by the story since I'd never heard it before. The ruggedly, yet warmly-detailed illustrations by Caple help make the story come alive via the nicely-sized pictures that measure out to being about 11 ¼" high and 9 ¼" wide. The account is written in a way that will make readers want to eagerly turn the pages. The Suggested Retail Price is $17.95.

Synopsis and Review of The Last Brother: A Civil War Tale

The 48 page fiction book (ISBN Number 1-58536-253-0) is inspired by the scores of ancestors (who fought in the Civil War) of the author Trinka Hakes Noble, according the Author's Note. An 11 year old boy named Gabe enlists as a bugler for the 71^st Pennsylvania, following his older brother Davy, both of whom would see action at Gettysburg. Gabe's family already lost two other brothers to combat. In the middle of the battle, Gabe would meet and become friends with another boy bugler, Orlee (who does his duties for the Rebels), before the killing on both sides would again ensue.

I recommend this children's and Civil War book because the narrative of Gabe's experience seeing combat along with his brother is touching, and is done with sensitivity without being explicit about the massive violence that plagued Gettysburg. The story shows how people who are on different sides of battle have more in common than not in addition to portraying the bonds of brotherly love. Many of Robert Papp's large illustrations (the book measures out to be about 9 ¼" wide and 11 ¼" high) of Gabe with Davy, Orlee, and the horse he tended (Lancer) at Gettysburg are very dramatic as well as very detailed and emotion-evoking. The Suggested Retail Price of The Last Brother is $17.95.

These children's and Civil War books are available at retail outlets like Amazon.com. For more information on the publisher, Sleeping Bear Press, contact 315 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Phone 800-487-2323. Email: sleepingbearpress@cengage.com Website here