A Picture Book of Harriet Beecher Stowe Book

The author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin, " Harriet Beecher Stowe dared to expose the horrors of slavery at a time when the American public was finally ready to acknowledge this ...

Micki Nevett - Children's Literature

Beginning with the famous meeting between Harriet Beecher Stowe and Abraham Lincoln, Adler carefully states that it was "reported" that Lincoln said the famous words "so this is the lady who made this big war." The author then goes back to explore Harriet's early years with a particular emphasis on the family's move to Ohio. This brought Harriet into direct contact with slavery for the first time, and she was thoroughly appalled. The impact this had on her led directly to her writing of Uncle Tom's Cabin. The plot is well summarized, and the significance of her book aptly described: "People who had perhaps hardly thought about the injustices of slavery now hated it." Adler does include in his author's notes the fact Tom is not a role model, and that some people consider the book racist. This addition to Adler's series of biographies for young readers is successful in discussing difficult issues. The text strikes a good balance between not being condescending yet not overwhelming the young reader. Illustrations convey a strong sense of the time period. In addition to the notes, Adler includes a list of important dates, selected bibliography, suggestions for further reading, and Web sites for the curious reader to pursue further. 2003, Holiday House,